Elida S. Perez

The two candidates vying to be El Paso's next mayor talked taxes, quality of life, economic development, immigration and other topics during a spirited forum Thursday that ended with them taking a few jabs at each other.

Voters will hit the polls one more time in the Dec. 14 runoff to elect El Paso's next mayor – either businessman Renard Johnson or attorney and city Rep. Brian Kennedy.

The Northeast El Paso land transfer with the company aiming to build an $80 million 12,500-seat amphitheater on 15 acres of city-owned property remains on hold, which could delay the anticipated March 2026 opening.

Businessman Renard Johnson has cleared the $1 million mark in campaign fundraising in the El Paso mayoral race, dwarfing the largely self-funded campaign of his opponent, city Rep. Brian Kennedy.

Businessman Renard Johnson has been elected El Paso's next mayor, taking a significant lead over city Rep. Brian Kennedy in early voting with a margin that's unlikely to close with Election Day votes.

Yellow smiley faces, red hearts and colorful rainbows drawn in chalk on the sidewalk of Chihuahua Street show remnants of activity in the neighborhood where the Downtown arena was once to be built.

The new mayor and six city representatives, alongside municipal court judges, were sworn in Monday. The mayor and council begin their official duties Tuesday.

Renard Johnson was sworn in as El Paso mayor Monday alongside six city representatives and a handful of municipal court judges during a ceremony at the Plaza Theatre in Downtown.

The deadline to pay property tax bills is fast approaching, and waiting until the last minute is not advised, the city tax assessor collector said.

The Mexican American Cultural Center, the last signature project of the 2012 quality of life bond program, has yet to open. City officials say they’re “rounding the last corner.”