Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is this special election about?
   The special election will determine whether the City of El Paso should revoke its remaining authority to issue $128,455,636 in bonds, which were originally approved by voters in 2012 to fund the construction of the Multipurpose Performing Arts and Entertainment Facility (MPC) in Downtown El Paso.
   
   
2. What does it mean to revoke the authority to issue bonds?
   Revoke means to take back, withdraw, or cancel something that has been granted or approved.
   
   In this case, revoking the authority means that the City Council will no longer be able to issue the remaining unissued bonds that were approved in the 2012 election.
   
   
3. What is the language that will appear on the ballot?
   The ballot will include the following proposition:
   
   CITY OF EL PASO TEXAS PROPOSITION A:
   “TO CANCEL THE CITY’S AUTHORITY TO ISSUE THE REMAINING $128,455,636 IN GENERAL OBLIGATION BONDS FOR THE MULTIPURPOSE PERFORMING ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT FACILITY TO BE LOCATED IN DOWNTOWN EL PASO WHICH WAS APPROVED BY THE VOTERS IN THE CITY’S NOVEMBER 6 2012 ELECTION RESULTING IN THE REVOCATION OF THE BONDS?”
   
   Voters will be asked to choose:
   “FOR” OR “AGAINST”
   
   
4. What does it mean if I vote “FOR”? What does it mean if I vote “AGAINST”?
   “FOR” means revoke.
   “AGAINST” means do not revoke.
   
   
5. What happens if voters approve the revocation?
   If the revocation is approved, the City will not be able to issue the remaining $128,455,636 in bonds for the MPC project. This does not affect any bonds that have already been issued; depending on the outcome of this special election those funds may continue to be used for the MPC or be paid as required.
   
   
6. What happens if voters do not approve the revocation?
   If voters do not approve the revocation, the City Council will retain the authority to issue the remaining $128,455,636 in bonds for the MPC project.
   
   
7. What was the original purpose of the bonds approved in 2012?
   The bonds were intended to fund the construction of the MPC, which was a part of the Quality of Life Bond approved by El Paso voters on November 6, 2012.
   
   
8. What has happened since the 2012 bond approval?
   Since the bond approval, several key events have taken place. Please review the timeline in this website.
   
   
9. How much of the bonds have already been issued?
   Of the original $180 million in bonding authority, $51,544,364 has already been issued.
   The remaining $128,455,636 is the subject of the upcoming revocation vote.
   
   

   FUNDING	AMOUNT
   Original Bonding Authority Designated for MPC Project	$180,000,000
   Previously Issued Bonds for MPC*	$51,544,364
   Remaining Unissued Bonds	$128,455,636

   *To the extent the land previously acquired by the City for the MPC site is sold, the City has indicated such funds would be used to pay down these previously issued bonds. If bonding authority is revoked, any remaining proceeds from bonds previously issued for the MPC would be used to pay down the previously issued bonds. If bonding authority is not revoked, any remaining proceeds from bonds previously issued for the MPC may be available to pay costs of the MPC, subject to applicable legal requirements
   
   
10. What were the $51,544,364 spent on?
    City issued bonds to pay for capital expenditures of the MPC, including cost associated with land acquisition, feasibility studies, preliminary planning and design.
    To the extent the land previously acquired by the City for the MPC site is sold, the City has indicated such funds would be used to pay down bonds previously issued for the MPC.
    If bonding authority is revoked, any remaining proceeds from bonds previously issued for the MPC would be used to pay down such bonds.
    If bonding authority is not revoked, any remaining proceeds from bonds previously issued for the MPC may be available to pay costs of the MPC, subject to applicable legal requirements.
    
    
11. What work has the City done to-date regarding the MPC?
    City staff previously worked with consultants on a data-driven process to determine feasibility of the facility size, type, and location. You can review the previous work here via this link, and click on the “MPC Downtown”.
    ​​​​​​​Feel free to check out the rest of the website to learn more about other City projects, plans and studies to include the Envision El Paso - Comprehensive Plan Update.
    
    
12. Could the bond funds allocated for the MPC be redirected towards other initiatives/projects, such as street improvement projects or park developments?
    No, the funds can only be used for the MPC.
    
    
13. What are the next steps leading up to the election?
    
    - August 2024 - October 2024:
      Community meetings to educate voters on the ballot measure
    
    - October 21, 2024 - November 1, 2024:
      Early voting period
    
    - November 5, 2024:
      Election Day
    
    
14. Where and when are the community meetings being held?
    Several community meetings are scheduled across El Paso to discuss the ballot measure. For specific dates, locations, and virtual meeting details, please visit the Community Meetings page.