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Budget process kicks off early with city council input

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A new police training facility, greater investment in the library system, road improvements and preparation for a Trump presidency: There was no unifying theme among the seven presentations from the seven councilors, and they did not even sit at the same table.

Each of them laid down an array of priorities during the annual budget retreat on Dec. 17, marking the unofficial start of the yearly marathon to build a budget that funds all city operations and staff. 

“I think we can take all the things that every single councilor brought to the surface. I think we could support them with our budget," Councilor Bill Mattiace said. 

In Las Cruces’ “weak mayor-council system” of government, the budget is generated by city manager’s office and approved by the council.

Differing from previous years, new city manager Ikani Taumoepeau chose to hold the budget retreat at the start of the budgeting process. In past administrations, department heads pitched their requests to the council and to the city manager. This year, councilors gave the staff their priorities.

Having the budget retreat in December instead of February also meant the city did not present revenue projections or economic outlook data for the next fiscal year. 

Mayor Eric Enriquez opened the presentations with a 17-minute speech in which he said, “This is very important on how we make decisions to shape the future of our city and how it will impact the lives of our residents, but the services that you provide is a backbone of our city, and properly funding these services is vital to our community.” 

Enriquez named public safety and quality of life among his top issues, including better health care access. He also wanted a joint fire-police training facility built in Las Cruces. 

“I was a firefighter. I was a fire investigator, and when you investigate fires, you go from the unburned to the burn. You go from the exterior to the interior. And so that's what I focused on,” he said. 

Johana Bencomo presented next. Her priorities centered around using government to support low-income parts of Las Cruces—a consistent theme throughout her six years as a city councilor. 

She also defined safety as something that included poverty, health care and housing issues. Specifically, she outlined her priorities as:

  • Supporting and expanding the use of metropolitan redevelopment areas
  • Increasing affordable housing and homelessness programming
  • More focus on pavement management and traffic calming, especially in areas near schools
  • Continue identifying and, if needed, demolishing blighted buildings
  • Keeping staff wages competitive
  • Preparing for a Trump presidency

Bencomo said she had debated including the point about the president-elect, but felt the city should rebuff efforts to roll back the rights of marginalized groups. 

“I think the Trump administration will be calling on local municipalities to do some very harmful and hurtful things. And I want to be very clear that we still get a choice,” Bencomo said. 

Yvonne Flores said she would like to see investment in road improvements in Hacienda Acres. She also thanked staff for their work and said she did not plan to run for her seat in 2025. 

Becky Corran spoke after. She started by arguing that the library system should receive more funding and said that the city should continue its affordable housing investments. Corran also said that the city should work to become more resilient. 

“I believe that there is an approaching volatility in our world in terms of economic threats,” Corran said, adding that investing in employees was the best way to build resilience. 

Cassie McClure, the council's newest member, said she wanted the city to develop and fund a program to prevent "youth from becoming violent recidivists.” She added that the city should increase afterschool programs, invest more in the library system and grow the storefront repair program. 

McClure also suggested that the city consider building tiny homes and pursue other, less traditional approaches to alleviating Las Cruces's affordable housing problems. 

After McClure, Becki Graham said her top priorities also centered around public safety. She, too, said she supported a police-fire training facility and called for more benefits for public safety workers. She also wanted to see Project LIGHT expand and more “third spaces” for Las Cruces families. “Third spaces” is a term referring to spaces other than home or working environments where people may gather and socialize.

Bill Mattiace was the final presenter. He did not present any priorities but thanked staff and said the council was very intelligent and professional. Mattiace also said affordable housing and public safety outcomes have improved in the last two years.  He also said he'd like to see the city fund vocational training for children.

city manager, budget, Ikani Taumoepeau, police-fire training facility, Project LIGHT, public safety

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