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4 days ago

Doña Ana County approves resolution on Project Júpiter; administrator to report on water use Doña Ana County approved a resolution tied to Project Júpiter and will require the county administrator to present results at a public meeting to clarify whether the project's water use will change.

Doña Ana County has approved a new resolution on Project Júpiter, sparking public concern about potential changes in water use that could impact the community.

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#DoñaAnaCounty #NM #CommunityInvolvement #CitizenPortal #DoñaAnaCountyWater #PublicMeeting #WaterManagement

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1 month ago

Doña Ana County outlines free three‑day 250th celebration with drone shows, concerts and youth events County staff proposed a free three‑day fairground festival for the nation’s 250th featuring drone light shows (June 30–July 2), live music, youth programming and a time‑capsule project with schools; staff presented preliminary budget estimates and said an RFP winner for the drone show faces a 15‑day protest window before contract award.

Get ready for an unforgettable three-day celebration in Doña Ana County featuring stunning drone light shows, live music, and a unique time-capsule project as we honor our nation’s 250th birthday!

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#DoñaAnaCounty #NM #CitizenPortal #DoñaAnaCounty #CivicInnovation

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1 month ago

Commission postpones amphitheater memorandum of understanding with Mescalero Apache Scribe to April 28 After extended public testimony and commissioner debate about transparency and procurement, the board voted March 10 to postpone consideration of a proposed MOU with the Mescalero Apache Scribe for a county amphitheater until April 28, 2026, and asked staff to pursue more public outreach and a joint session with Mescalero representatives.

The Doña Ana County Commission has postponed a crucial decision on an amphitheater agreement with the Mescalero Apache Scribe, sparking concerns over transparency and community involvement.

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#DoñaAnaCounty #NM #CitizenPortal #CivicTransparency #PublicParticipation

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1 month ago

Doña Ana County residents press commissioners for public meetings, question ‘Project Jupiter’ incentives Residents from multiple districts urged the Doña Ana County Commission on March 10 to hold public meetings about Project Jupiter, raising concerns about water use, air emissions, tax incentives and developer secrecy; commissioners agreed to schedule broader community sessions with developers and regulators.

Residents are demanding transparency from the Doña Ana County Board over the controversial Project Jupiter, citing fears of environmental impacts and questionable incentives.

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#DoñaAnaCounty #NM #CommunityEngagement #CitizenPortal #SustainableDevelopment

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1 month ago

NMDOT explains road safety audits as Mesilla Valley MPO eyes HSIP grant NMDOT's Highway Safety Improvement Program manager told the Mesilla Valley MPO TAC that the department includes roadway owners in its RSAs, urged following the NMDOT RSA guidebook for HSIP funding, and said RSAs generally have a five-year shelf life as the MPO targets an HSIP application this year.

NMDOT is changing the game in road safety audits by involving roadway owners in the process, paving the way for more effective HSIP funding applications.

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#DoñaAnaCounty #NM #InfrastructureImprovement #TrafficSafety #CitizenPortal #DoñaAnaCountyRoadSafety #CommunityPlanning

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1 month ago

Doña Ana County treasurer outlines how notices of value become property tax bills, payment options and a rebate for low‑income residents Doña Ana County Treasurer Marisol Richardson explained how notices of value lead to November tax bills, deadlines for half‑payments (Dec. 10 and May 10), payment methods (including a kiosk with fees), outreach events across the county, and a board‑approved tax rebate for lower‑income residents.

Curious about how your property taxes are calculated and what you can do if your home's value changes?

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#DoñaAnaCounty #NM #CitizenPortal #DoñaAnaCounty #PropertyTax #EconomicSupport #CommunityOutreach

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1 month ago

Compensation study finds district pay below market; board to weigh $62,271 annual salary increases Consultant Mark Holcomb told the South Central Regional Transit District board the agency's pay ranges average about 15–20% below peers. He recommended a market-responsive pay plan; staff estimated recurring base-salary adjustments at about $62,271 per year (salary only). The board deferred any funding decision to the budget process.

A recent compensation study reveals that the South Central Regional Transit District's pay lags up to 20% behind peer organizations, raising concerns about employee retention and recruitment.

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#DoñaAnaCounty #NM #CitizenPortal #PublicSafety #DoñaAnaCountyTransit

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1 month ago

Commission approves FY26 midyear adjustments after heated debate over $1.1M 250th celebration Commissioners approved midyear adjustments totaling a net $1.7M from reserves; debate centered on a proposed $1.1M allocation for a three‑day 250th celebration and roughly $11K for ice rink storage, with some commissioners seeking more oversight and a March update.

Doña Ana County's budget adjustments have sparked a fiery debate over a $1.1 million funding proposal for a grand 250th-anniversary celebration!

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#DoñaAnaCounty #NM #CitizenPortal #EconomicDevelopment #EventPlanning #FiscalTransparency #DoñaAnaCountyBudget

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1 month ago

South Central Regional Transit District marks 10 years as ridership climbs; solar array and EV expansion planned At its Feb. 25 meeting the South Central Regional Transit District reported January ridership of 16,385 and outlined capital plans including clearing 1.75 acres for a solar array, a fourth vehicle charger, and continued electric-vehicle deployment that officials say will help the district reach near-zero emissions at its facility.

The South Central Regional Transit District celebrates a decade of service with impressive ridership growth and ambitious plans for solar energy and electric vehicles to lead the charge toward sustainability!

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#DoñaAnaCounty #NM #SustainableMobility #CitizenPortal #CleanEnergy

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1 month ago

Doña Ana County approves $60,000 to buy multi‑use mobile voting unit The county commission approved a $60,000 budget revision and resolution (2026‑29) to acquire a mobile multi‑use voting unit the clerk says will be used for elections, emergency response and community outreach; commissioners asked for operational details and security assurances.

Doña Ana County is revolutionizing election operations with a new $60,000 mobile voting unit designed for emergencies and community outreach!

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#DoñaAnaCounty #NM #CitizenPortal #DoñaAnaCountyElections #EmergencyResponse #ElectionSecurity #CommunityOutreach

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1 month ago

Doña Ana County awards opioid‑settlement contracts to La Clinica, Elite Methadone and Summit Behavioral Health The commission approved awarding opioid settlement funds to La Clinica de Familia, Elite Methadone Clinic and Summit Behavioral Health (with a reduced award to Summit) to expand medication‑assisted treatment and rural access; county staff described RFP process, evaluation and monitoring plans.

Doña Ana County is taking a bold step to combat the opioid crisis by allocating funds to enhance treatment access for rural and Spanish-speaking communities.

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#DoñaAnaCounty #NM #CitizenPortal #DoñaAnaCounty #RuralHealthcare #CommunitySupport #SubstanceAbuse

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1 month ago

Residents urge Doña Ana County to reopen review of Project Jupiter amid health and water concerns Multiple public commenters told the commission Project Jupiter was pushed through without adequate oversight and warned of large water use, doubled emissions and harmful local health impacts; the commission listened but took no immediate action during public comment.

Local residents are sounding the alarm over Project Jupiter, demanding more oversight as concerns grow about its massive water consumption and harmful emissions.

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#DoñaAnaCounty #NM #PublicOversight #CitizenPortal #HealthImpact

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1 month ago

Dof1a Ana County approves $150,000 contract to renovate Hatch food pantry The Dof1a Ana County Board approved a $150,000 contract to enable the Village of Hatch to renovate its food pantry. The briefing did not specify the contracting party, funding source, procurement method, or vote tally.

Doña Ana County has greenlit a $150,000 contract to revamp the Village of Hatch's food pantry, but key details about the project remain shrouded in mystery.

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#DoñaAnaCounty #NM #CitizenPortal #LocalGovAI #DoñaAnaCountyFoodPantry #CivicTransparency #CommunitySupport

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1 month ago

Doña Ana County sheriff: man shot after refusing to leave burning home; subject identified Doña Ana County Sheriff Kim Stewart said deputies responding to a Feb. 17 structure fire at 680 Watson Lane shot a resident who emerged armed; the man, identified as Dylan Leonard, was pronounced dead at the scene. Investigations and an officer-involved shooting task force were activated.

A man was shot by deputies after emerging from a burning home armed with a knife, leading to an ongoing investigation into the tragic incident.

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#DoñaAnaCounty #NM #CitizenPortal #CrisisResponse #PublicSafety #CommunityAccountability #DoñaAnaCountySafety

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1 month ago

BPAC reviews NMDOT road safety audit process and aims to pick single HSIP application area The Biscilla Valley MPO Bicycle & Pedestrian Advisory Committee heard NMDOT's Highway Safety Improvement Program manager explain the RSA process, costs (about $40,000'$80,000), a five-year RSA shelf life, and the agency's preference for NMDOT-owned facilities; the BPAC agreed to narrow candidate hotspots at an April work session and prioritize vulnerable road users.

Las Cruces is on a mission to enhance road safety for pedestrians and cyclists, focusing on high-crash hotspots and vulnerable road users in the community.

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#DoñaAnaCounty #NM #CitizenPortal #DoñaAnaCountyBicycleSafety #CommunityVulnerableUsers #PublicSafety

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2 months ago

MPO approves TIP amendments, clears $8.8 million for Dona Ana County bridge work The Mesilla Valley MPO governing board approved amendments to the FY2024–2029 Transportation Improvement Program that move state-led interchange work and advance multiple bridge replacement projects, including a Dona Ana County local bridge replacement project funded at $8,768,632.

The Mesilla Valley MPO just approved $8.8 million for critical bridge replacements and safety improvements in Dona Ana County!

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#DoñaAnaCounty #NM #CitizenPortal #PublicSafety #InfrastructureDevelopment #DonaAnaCountyBridgeProjects #TransportationImprovement

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2 months ago

MPO weighs setting its own safety targets but will await statewide data summit Mesilla Valley MPO staff outlined federal safety target requirements and options including supporting state targets or setting independent targets; staff cautioned independent targets could create extra federally required reporting and recommended awaiting an NMDOT/UNM safety data summit before deciding.

Mesilla Valley MPO is at a crossroads: should they support state safety targets or set their own, risking extra reporting burdens?

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#DoñaAnaCounty #NM #CivicAccountability #CitizenPortal #RoadSafety #FederalReporting #DoñaAnaCountyMPO

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2 months ago

County consultant launches parks, recreation and community centers master plan Consultant Site Southwest presented the scope and community engagement plan for Doña Ana County’s parks and recreation master plan, including regional vs. local amenity analysis, equity and access work, and a schedule of public engagement events over the next month.

Doña Ana County is revamping its parks and recreation with a master plan that prioritizes community input and equity—are you ready to shape the future of your local amenities?

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#DoñaAnaCounty #NM #CommunityEngagement #EquityAccess #CitizenPortal #DoñaAnaCountyParks

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2 months ago

Commission forms workforce development advisory committee and fund to connect residents with jobs The board approved a resolution to create a county advisory and coordination committee on workforce development and to establish a workforce development fund; community organizations and the Project Jupiter team expressed support and emphasized local hiring commitments.

Doña Ana County is taking a bold step towards boosting local employment by forming a new workforce development committee dedicated to training and hiring residents!

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#DoñaAnaCounty #NM #DoñaAnaCountyWorkforce #CitizenPortal #CommunityDevelopment #LocalHiring #JobTraining

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2 months ago

Residents press Doña Ana County for transparency as Mescalero MOU advances toward March Doña Ana County heard extended public comment Feb. 10 about a proposed land exchange involving the Mescalero Apache Tribe and a forthcoming county MOU focused on a fairgrounds amphitheater; county staff said the MOU will come before the board March 10 after tribal governance decisions in late February.

Residents in Doña Ana County are demanding transparency and answers about a controversial land exchange with the Mescalero Apache Tribe, raising alarms over environmental risks and the lack of public notice.

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#DoñaAnaCounty #NM #CitizenPortal #LandUseIssues

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2 months ago

MPO outlines Transportation Project Fund application schedule and requirements MPO staff announced the Transportation Project Fund call for projects: feasibility form due March 20, district feasibility meeting March 31, full application due April 10, three applicant presentations (April 21, May 7), and NMDOT FTP upload by May 31. Eligible work is state‑funded projects including right‑of‑way acquisition and construction.

Exciting opportunities await as the Mesilla Valley MPO unveils the timeline for the Transportation Project Fund—get ready to bring your infrastructure projects to life!

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#DoñaAnaCounty #NM #ProjectFunding #CitizenPortal #InfrastructureDevelopment #DoñaAnaCountyTransportation

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2 months ago

MPO TAC advances TIP amendments including Doña Ana County bridge projects The Mesilla Valley MPO TAC voted to recommend a set of amendments to the FFY 2024–2029 Transportation Improvement Program, including increased construction funding for a Doña Ana County bridge and a new Doña Ana County bridge replacement project; NMDOT projects on I‑25 and I‑10 were also listed.

Exciting changes are coming to Doña Ana County's infrastructure with new bridge projects and increased funding as the MPO Technical Advisory Committee pushes forward with vital Transportation Improvement Program amendments!

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#DoñaAnaCounty #NM #CitizenPortal #PublicSafety

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2 months ago

County staff outline likely local impacts of Senate Bill 3 on involuntary commitment and CTC operations Doña Ana County received an informational update on Senate Bill 3, which redefines harm-to-self/others standards for involuntary commitment and could increase use of the county crisis triage center; staff said draft language calls for state reimbursement when inpatient capacity is strained.

Senate Bill 3 is set to redefine involuntary commitment standards in New Mexico, potentially increasing demand on local crisis triage centers and reshaping how we address mental health emergencies.

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#DoñaAnaCounty #NM #JudicialAccountability #CitizenPortal #CrisisResponse

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2 months ago

Doña Ana County leaders consider pilot to cover premiums and out‑of‑pocket costs for high‑need residents County staff proposed expanding the Healthcare Assistance Program to include premium assistance and limited out‑of‑pocket coverage for people with chronic or catastrophic illnesses, recommending a narrow pilot using an existing $200,000 allocation and a medical‑director review process; commissioners asked for refined eligibility language and SOPs before adoption.

Doña Ana County is taking a bold step to support residents with chronic illnesses by proposing a pilot program that could cover insurance premiums and out-of-pocket costs.

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#DoñaAnaCounty #NM #HealthcareAccess #CitizenPortal #ChronicIllnessSupport #CommunityWellbeing

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2 months ago

SCRTD approves FY2026 budget amendment and accepts second‑quarter financials The board approved a FY2026 budget amendment that raises the operating total to $3,359,787.64 and accepted second‑quarter financials showing $471,611.67 cash on hand and expenditures at 56.3% of budget; staff flagged higher utilities and property tax charges associated with new facilities.

The South Central Regional Transit District has approved a budget amendment that boosts their operating total to over $3.3 million, amidst rising utility costs and unexpected funding increases!

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#DoñaAnaCounty #NM #FiscalResponsibility #SustainabilityInitiatives

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2 months ago

County commissioners report sanitation, staffing and infrastructure needs after detention center inspection Commissioners reported generally professional staff and some clean areas but identified urgent facility needs at the Doña Ana County detention center—expanded laundry and break rooms, power-washing, repairs to master control rooms, commissary pricing concerns and requests for biometric booking and an x-ray machine.

Doña Ana County commissioners unveiled a mix of praise and pressing concerns after inspecting the detention center, highlighting urgent needs for facility upgrades and shocking commissary prices.

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#DoñaAnaCounty #NM #PublicSafety #DoñaAnaCountyDetention

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2 months ago

SCRTD presses for share of regional urbanized transit funds in multi‑party MOU talks SCRTD is pursuing a multi‑party MOU with NMDOT, the Mesilla Valley MPO and Roadrunner Transit to obtain urbanized area funds; Executive Director David Armijo said the change could yield ‘‘upwards of $1,000,000 annually’’ but distribution and matching rules remain under negotiation.

SCRTD is on the verge of securing over $1 million annually in transit funds that could transform public transportation across Doña Ana County!

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#DoñaAnaCounty #NM #RegionalPlanning #UrbanTransitFunding #CommunityResources #CitizenPortal #DoñaAnaCountyTransit

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2 months ago

SCRTD details Sunland Park solar microgrid, EV fleet expansion and new facilities The South Central Regional Transit District outlined progress on a Sunland Park solar microgrid and other facility upgrades, saying the project should power the agency’s growing electric fleet and reduce operating costs; staff also discussed a proposed Venus facility and ongoing grant pipeline.

The South Central Regional Transit District is on track to power its electric fleet with a new solar microgrid, but construction delays could push completion into the summer.

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#DoñaAnaCounty #NM #SustainableEnergy #ElectricVehicles #CitizenPortal #InfrastructureDevelopment

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2 months ago

Residents urge Doña Ana County to halt ‘Project Jupiter,’ citing water and transparency concerns Public commenters pressed Doña Ana County commissioners to reconsider Project Jupiter, an AI data-center proposal, raising claims about water use, inadequate public notice and disputed economic promises; callers asked for enforceable environmental protections and more public engagement.

Doña Ana County residents are rallying against Project Jupiter, raising urgent concerns about water depletion and lack of transparency in a proposal they say prioritizes profit over community well-being.

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#DoñaAnaCounty #NM #CommunityEngagement #TransparencyInGovernance

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3 months ago

Votes at a glance: Doña Ana County BOCC actions on Jan. 13, 2026 The board approved leadership elections, agenda changes, consent items and a series of resolutions and procurements. Key approvals included chair/vice‑chair elections, BLM letter of support, documentation of a Project Jupiter $1.5M community payment (2026‑09), MOU with Dona Ana Community College (2026‑10), Geobond reimbursement authorization (2026‑11), and multiple procurement and appointment resolutions.

Doña Ana County just made major moves, electing new leadership and approving vital community support initiatives!

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#DoñaAnaCounty #NM #CommunitySupport #EducationInitiatives #DoñaAnaCounty #PublicSafety #CitizenPortal