City Council Recap – February 17, 2026

At its regular meeting on Tuesday, Feb. 17, the Las Cruces City Council discussed and voted on two resolutions and one ordinance. All three were passed unanimously. Councilors Johana Bencomo and Becky Corran were not at Tuesday’s meeting.

The first resolution approved included acceptance of five grant awards to various City departments. The grants include almost $125,000 from the New Mexico Department of Public Safety’s Law Enforcement Retention Fund to the Las Cruces Police Department; $3 million from the New Mexico Finance Authority to fund water projects in the City of Las Cruces, including improvements to the City’s two-million gallon Telshor water tank; $15 million from NMFA’s Water Trust Board to the City to conduct a lead service line replacement project; a $400,000 Fire Protection Grant from the New Mexico Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management for remodeling Fire Station No. 4; and more than $456,000 from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security in an Assistance to Firefighters grant for EMT paramedic training and certification.

The second resolution approved second quarter budget adjustments to the City’s Fiscal Year 2025-26 budget. The adjustments include planning and construction for City parks, playground renovations, and trail construction; increases in the Senior Meals Program, Fire and Emergency Services; cinematic infrastructure; Branigan Cultural Center improvements; and prisoner care.

Council also amended the City Municipal Code regarding appointments to the Veterans Advisory Board. The board has been comprised of representatives from specific veterans’ organizations, along with two at-large board members. To address some recruitment challenges, the ordinance was amended to make all members of the board appointed at large, rather than representing specific veterans’ organizations. No organization will have more than one member on the board. Board members are appointed by the mayor with the advice and consent of the City Council. All members must be veterans who reside in Doña Ana County. The ordinance was approved by a vote of 4-0, as Councilor Bill Mattiace was absent for this vote.

This meeting and all City Council meetings can be viewed on the City’s YouTube channel.