City considers how to spend new tax money

How new tax money might be used in Las Cruces

The Las Cruces City Council discussed possible uses for the new money that it will receive from the gross receipt tax increases.

The council discussed the new money generated by the gross receipt tax (GRT) increase passed by voters last November during its August 25, 2025, meeting. The increase raised the GRT by 0.325% totaling $11.5 million more to the city’s budget this fiscal year with an expected 3% growth in the following years.

At the meeting, different projects were discussed including improvements to streets, parks, public facilities and public safety including the police department and the fire department.

Some street related projects that were proposed included traffic calming measures, better drainage, more lighting and better sidewalks. Parks could see upgrades and renovations to bathrooms and playground equipment as well as shade structures to make the parks more usable in the hotter months.

Many public facilities could also get a piece of the money through upgrades to roofs, making many buildings ADA compliant, and improving parking lots. As for the public safety portion, the Las Cruces Police Department could see a new public safety training facility. Las Cruces Fire Department could get fire station renovations and a driving track to train law enforcement officials could be built to help both LCPD and the Doña Ana County Sheriff's Office.

Upgrades to the city’s municipal court building were also brought up by councilors and the mayor. During the meeting Mayor Eric Enriquez said that it was time for an upgrade.

“When they have to relocate every summer to hold court sessions because of the facility that they are in, it is not adequate. We need to really focus on and prioritize finding municipal court a new home,” Enriquez said.

One other project that was highlighted by the council included renovations to fire stations across the city.

Councilor Becky Corran alluded to past city council meetings where members of the fire department voiced their concerns over some stations and how they had to shower in portable shower units outside of the station due to damage caused by leaks in the roof.

“I really want us to make sure that our own facilities that we have that people are functioning in or trying to function in are the highest priority on the list. I think that there is a lot of discussion to be had on new things and other things, but this really bothers me that we have facilities that are unlivable or unworkable,” Corran said

Councilor Bill Mattice said that he believes that voters agreed to this tax increase to see crime reduced in the city so he wishes to see more money spent on youth intervention to lower crime and make the city more attractive to people who may want to move in.

“I would also like to see recreation programs, maybe teen centers to keep kids busy. Recreation programs, baseball fields, all of the fields need to be upgraded, and a new library, of course, would be another good attraction,” Mattice said. 

As for reaction to the new amount of money coming into the city, Enriquez said that figuring out where the best place to spend the money is a “good problem to have.” 

Community engagement meetings are scheduled to take place in September and October with a final resolution scheduled to go before the council in November.