El Paso County Sheriff Oscar Ugarte spoke against what he called "false narratives" while facing increasing criticism over a growing projected $5.9 million budget deficit when the county fiscal year ends.
The criticism ratcheting up Sept. 21 after Ugarte appeared virtually before El Paso County Commissioners Court via video because he was already scheduled to be out of town at the Major County Sheriffs of America conference in Milwaukee.
"I understand your concerns regarding the Sheriff’s Office budget, and as sheriff, I take responsibility for the decisions being made within the Sheriff’s Office, but also that responsibility comes (with) the responsibility of supporting my staff, getting them the right resources, the right staffing levels so they
can serve this community," Ugarte told commissioners.
Ugarte, who is on his second year in office, has repeatedly said that he is using overtime to fill staffing shortfalls at the two El Paso County jails.
Staffing tables may show positions filled, but the number of personnel is not enough for a 24/7 operation, he said.
El Paso Sheriff's Office OT funds exceeded
Most overtime funds in the Sheriff's Office were exceeded as of Sept. 15, County Budget Director Carmen Arrieta-Candelaria told Commissioners Court in an update on the Sheriff's Office's budget given during the meeting.
The projected deficit — estimated at $2.5 million at an Aug. 10 meeting — has grown weekly with Arrieta-Candelaria pointing to overtime, rising costs to feed jail inmates and other expenses. The county's new fiscal year 2027 starts Oct. 1.
The extensive use of overtime was the topic of a meeting in private executive session on April 16 between Commissioners Court and the sheriff. In August, commissioners asked to receive weekly updates on the sheriff's budget.
Members of the sheriff's top command usually attend Commissioners Court meetings, but commissioners had formally told Ugarte to attend this session.
After the April meeting with commissioners. the Sheriff's Office conducted an assessment projecting it will need an additional $6 million to finish the fiscal year, Ugarte said.
The Sheriff's Office is looking for ways to reduce overtime and reassigned a commander to take a closer look at operations and assignments, Ugarte said.
The county has not previously faced a similar level of over-budget spending, which will be covered by contingency funds, Betsy Keller, the county chief administrator, has said.
"We definitely don't want to find ourselves in the same situation next year," Commissioner Iliana Holguin said.
Sheriff Ugarte blasts 'false narratives' over costs
Ugarte's appearance before Commissioners Court was friendly, with commissioners expressing support and saying they are on the same team to resolve budget issues and keep the county safe. Commissioner Sergio Coronado was absent when Ugarte spoke.
"I was hoping that in April, when we understood that we might be looking at a $6 million deficit, that it would be enough time to turn that tide and to start shifting that boat really. And unfortunately, that doesn't seem to have been the case," Commissioner Jackie Butler said after praising the sheriff for patrols and increased responsiveness in unincorporated areas of the county.
Butler represents Precinct 1, which stretches from East El Paso to Montana Vista and Hueco Tanks.
Holguin asked Ugarte to address public concerns about costs tied to the sheriff and deputies at community events and new uniforms and vehicle emblems.
It was a "false narrative that overtime is being used for these community events," Ugarte said.
Sheriff's Office social media accounts frequently showcase Ugarte with deputies at high school homecoming parades, church kermes and other gatherings. The sheriff said those interactions with the public are a good way to build trust with residents.
Ugarte and members of his command staff are on salary and do not get paid overtime. The EPCSO community section was established before Ugarte was sheriff and those deputies work on a flex schedule as part of community relations, he said.
Some members of the public have also criticized the sheriff for changes made to uniforms and vehicle emblems.
"This false narrative that I'm spending millions of dollars changing the uniform, changing the badges. That’s false information being spread," Ugarte said.
The Sheriff's Office's is getting new blue uniforms, a new patch and vehicle emblems. But those are being slowly phased in through transition, such as when a uniform needs replacement and the emblem added when a vehicle is repaired, Ugarte said.
Sheriff's virtual attendance draws scrutiny
Longtime El Paso liberal political blogger Jaime Abeytia criticized Ugarte as "disrespectful" to Commissioners Court for not showing up in person while the sheriff frequently publicizes attendance at community events.
"He seems to have more respect for people at Speaking Rock, homecoming games and parades that he’s in and just about every kermes in town," Abeytia said on a Facebook reel.
Republican Minerva Torres Shelton, who is running against incumbent County Judge Ricardo Samaniego and unsuccessfully ran for sheriff against Ugarte, said in an Instagram videothat commissioners left many unanswered questions.
"If a department is projected to be nearly $5.9 million over budget, I expect that elected official to be front and center in the courtroom, not on a screen," she said. "And if he is not there, I would postpone that budget discussion until he is because when taxpayers are staring at a projected $5.9 million deficit, I want answers," Torres Shelton said.
"How did we get to this point exactly?" she said. "Why does the projection keep growing? What is being done right now and where is the corrective action plan so this doesn't happen again? Asking those questions isn’t being confrontational. It's called oversight. It's called accountability."
Daniel Borunda may be reached at dborunda@elpasotimes.com and @BorundaDaniel on X.
This article originally appeared on El Paso Times: El Paso County sheriff faces heat over $5.9 million budget deficit
