EL PASO, Texas – After an ABC‑7 investigation revealed that El Paso County Commissioners Court members spent nearly a quarter‑million dollars on travel over the past few years, the City of El Paso is moving to increase openness about its own travel costs.
Proactive disclosure on the agenda
District 8 City Representative Chris Canales introduced an item for the next council meeting that would mandate the public posting of any travel expenses paid with city funds by members of the City Council and the mayor. The proposal cites “recent public scrutiny of travel expenditures in other local government entities” as the catalyst for the change.
Canales, who opposed the creation of a separate travel fund for council members a few years ago, said the city should be “proactive” in sharing how travel dollars are used. “I think there was a lot of public interest in the county’s travel numbers,” he told KVIA. “It was a surprise to many people when multiple years of travel spending were shared all at once. A much better system is to share those expenditures as they happen.”
Background on the county investigation
The ABC‑7 report highlighted that El Paso County Commissioners Court members collectively spent close to $250,000 on travel in recent years. The coverage sparked community questions about how elected officials use taxpayer‑funded trips and whether similar oversight should apply at the city level.
While the county’s travel spending was the immediate spark, the city’s own travel policy has been in place for several years. A few years ago, council approved a dedicated fund that allows each council member up to $6,000 per year for official travel. The new disclosure measure would not alter the fund’s size but would require detailed reporting of each trip’s purpose, destination, and cost.
Political context and upcoming election
Canales is seeking re‑election in the November ballot for District 8. In interviews, his opponents in the race expressed support for the transparency measure, saying it aligns with voters’ desire for greater accountability.
“Our constituents deserve to know how their money is being spent,” one opponent said. “If the city can be more open about travel, it builds trust.”
What the policy could mean for residents
Should the council adopt the proposal, travel expense reports would be posted online and made available at city hall, giving residents a clear view of how officials’ travel aligns with city business. Advocates argue that such transparency can deter unnecessary trips and ensure that travel funds are used efficiently.
City officials noted that the measure is a straightforward administrative step that does not require additional budgetary resources. “We’re simply making information that is already collected more accessible,” a city spokesperson said.
Next steps
The motion will be debated at the council meeting scheduled for next week. If approved, the city will develop a reporting format and timeline, likely rolling out the new disclosures within the next fiscal quarter.
Community members are encouraged to attend the meeting or submit comments during the public comment period, which will be announced on the city’s website.
Original reporting: El Paso News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
