EL PASO, Texas (KFOX14/CBS4) — El Paso voters will decide whether to approve a University Medical Center Bond proposal in the upcoming election.

The UMC bond proposal totals $396.6 million and would go to four projects.

• Expansion of cancer treatment facilities.
• Improvements to the University Medical Center of El Paso Campus, including expanded treatment services for burn victims
• Construction and/or improvements of new clinical facilities in downtown El Paso focused on senior and geriatric care, and additional clinical, surgical and rehabilitation facilities throughout El Paso County.
• The acquisition of land and/or other property rights for the purposes of the authorized system; and the imposition of a tax sufficient to pay the principal and interest on the bonds and the costs of any credit agreements executed in connection with the bonds.

The proposal will be presented on the voters’ ballot together and will say:

The issuance of bonds of the hospital district in the amount of $396,600,000 for the purpose of providing funds to acquire, construct, equip, renovate and/or expand the hospital system of the district, including (A) the expansion of cancer treatment facilities, (B) improvements to the University Medical Center El Paso Campus, including expansion of treatment services for burn victims, (C) construction and/or improvements of new clinical facilities in downtown El Paso focused on adult/geriatric care and additional clinical, surgical and rehabilitation facilities throughout El Paso County, and (D) the acquisition of land and/or other property rights for purposes of the authorized system; and the imposition of a tax sufficient to pay the principal and interest on the bonds and the costs of any credit agreements entered into in connection with the bonds.

According to Jon Law, UMC district director of strategy, the bond would improve health care for El Pasoans and patients in nearby areas.

“The majority of our patients are from El Paso County, but we also serve patients in southern New Mexico and west Texas,” Law said.

If voters approve the bond, the cancer center project would be built in partnership with Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center.

According to officials, $30 million of the $396.6 million would go to the center.

Law stated that the Comprehensive Cancer Center would cost $120 million to build and that the bond would help with funding for the center.

“An important part of completing the cancer center and ensuring it has the resources it needs,” Law added.

Both UMC and TTUHSC have already secured $65 million in funding from the state.

Law told KFOX14/CBS4 there are plans to request additional funding from the state.

“When our legislative delegation returns to the state next year, it will be nice to come back and say, look, the community has invested in this project,” Law said.

According to UMC officials, if voters approve the bond, the hospital is confident it will not ask taxpayers for additional funds for the projects.

TTUHSC has already received $30 million in donations to staff the Fox Cancer Center.

A TTUHSC spokesperson said Steve and Nancy Fox have donated $25 million toward recruiting world-class physicians and staff with recognized expertise to establish the center.

Additionally, Paso del Norte Health Foundation has also awarded a $5 million grant to recruit expert cancer specialists and hire a director for the Patient Support Services Unit.

The bonus money would not be used for hiring or staff salaries, officials said.

You can see what your voter ballot will look like for Tuesday’s elections here.

RELATED:Guide to the November 2024 general election

Sign up to receive the most interesting stories from our community and beyond once a day in your inbox.