City Council Approves $1.4 Million for Additional COVID-19 Relief

A resolution authorizing the City of Las Cruces to accept a $1,400,000 budget adjustment for emergency assistance for the impact from COVID-19 for various programs was adopted by the Las Cruces City Council during a Special Meeting on Thursday, August 27.

The $1.4 million will come from the City’s Telshor Facility Fund, which is dedicated to enhancing health and human services for Las Cruces residents. The resolution was unanimously approved by City Council.

The budget adjustment will allow funds to be made available to provide essential and critical services to combat the effects of COVID-19 across the Las Cruces community. Recommended uses of the funds approved by City Council include:

• $200,000 to Community Action Agency for the Thriving Families – COVID Community Assistance Program.
• $150,000 to Mesilla Valley Community of Hope for Prevention/Mortgage/Housing Assistance.
• $150,000 to Catholic Charities for COVID-19 Relief/Anti-Poverty Program.
• $125,000 to Families and Youth Inc. for the Mayor’s Meal/Food Initiatives and Harm Reduction Initiatives.
• $100,000 to the Las Cruces Boys and Girls Club for expanded programming for its More Members, More Often Program.
• $75,000 to La Casa for Housing and Emergency Shelter operations and supplies.
• $75,000 to Casa de Peregrinos for operating supplies.
• $75,000 for the Child Care Assistance Program provided by the Community Action Agency.
• $50,000 for a homeless outreach coordinator/social worker, which would be subject to procurement.
• $25,000 to La Piñon for medical and operating supplies, and expanded staff hours for its SANE Program.

The funds approved by City Council at Thursday’s Special Meeting will also include $150,000 to increase utility assistance funding for eligible Las Cruces Utilities customers; $100,000 for personal protective equipment and rapid COVID testing for City employees; and $50,000 for Mask Up community events.

COVID-19 continues to pose a threat to the health, safety, well-being, and property of Las Cruces residents. City Council acknowledged the continued need to support the community through local nonprofit organizations and other essential service providers being impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. 

On April 3, 2020, City Council adopted Resolution 20-132 which allocated $1,072,500 in emergency assistance from the Telshor Fund to support activities related to COVID-19 emergency response. A week later, on April 10, the council allocated an additional $684,000 from the Telshor Fund, via Resolution 20-134, in emergency assistance for the same intended purpose. The council took additional action on April 17, approving Resolution 20-146, which awarded $139,500 from the City's general fund.

At Thursday's Special Meeting, City Council also approved a resolution to adjust the City’s quarterly financial report to the New Mexico Department of Finance and Administration (DFA) The deadline to submit the adjusted report to DFA's Local Government Division is Friday, August 28.