Council Gives OK on Revenue Bonds for Settlement

Las Cruces City Councilors met Monday, Jan. 6, 2025, and approved the issuance and sale of Taxable Municipal Gross Receipts Tax Revenue Bonds to satisfy a $20 million settlement in the civil suit brought by the estate of Teresa Gomez.

In November 2024, the City of Las Cruces agreed to terms in a civil lawsuit brought by the Estate of Teresa Gomez. The $20 million financial settlement is the City’s largest agreement in a civil lawsuit.

Gomez, 45, was shot and killed by Felipe Hernandez, a Las Cruces police officer at the time, after an interaction in the early-morning hours of Oct. 3, 2023. Later in October 2023, a lawsuit was filed in U.S. District Court by the estate of Teresa Gomez.

An investigation by the Las Cruces Police Department and the Officer-involved Incident Task Force determined the actions on the morning of Oct. 3, 2023, warranted criminal charges against Hernandez. Hernandez was arrested in January 2024 and is charged with a felony count of second-degree murder.

Following an administrative investigation, Hernandez was relieved of his duties in May 2024.

Council’s approval of the issuance and sale of Taxable Municipal Gross Receipts Tax Revenue Bonds is for no more than $21 million with a bond maturity date no later than June 1, 2046.

In other business, councilors approved a resolution to transfer a dispenser liquor license to Cruces Total Golf, located at 170 W. Picacho Ave. The liquor license will allow Total Golf to provide on-premises consumption of alcohol. The transfer must still be approved by the New Mexico Alcohol Beverage Control Division.

A resolution to cure and ratify City Council’s prior invalid decision to seek candidates for the 2024 vacancy of the City Manager’s position was removed from Monday’s agenda. The resolution will be revisited during a special meeting scheduled for 9 a.m. Jan. 13.

Monday’s meeting, along with all City Council regular meetings and work sessions, can be viewed on the City’s YouTube Channel.
Councilors will meet in a special meeting at 9 a.m. Monday, Jan. 13, 2025, at Council Chambers, 700 N. Main St.