State budget bill signed, county fees waived, committee members needed

Governor amends, signs budget bill

Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham on Tuesday, June 30, authorized an amended FY 2021 state budget, using her line-item veto authority to restore some legislative cuts to and using state reserves, spending reductions and federal funds to cover a revenue shortfall caused by COVID-19, the governor’s office said in a news release. House Bill 1, the revised state budget, was passed by the legislature during the June special session.

The revised budget for fiscal year 2021, which begins today (Wednesday, July 1), totals $7.22 million, down from the $7.6 billion plan approved by the legislature and signed by the governor in February. Overall, recurring general fund appropriations were reduced by about $415 million for FY21 and non-recurring general fund appropriations were reduced by $102 million in FY 2020 and $184 million in FY21.

State reserves in the new budget stand at 11.3 percent.

The governor enabled the use of $750 million from the federal CARES Act for revenue backfill. She also allocated funding from the act to provide $140 million for COVID-19 direct expenditures in the state, $150 million for city and county grants and $28 million for tribal government grants. Educators in New Mexico will receive a one percent pay raise in the new budget, which also authorizes the state Department of Finance and Administration to reduce state agency budgets an additional two percent if necessary.

Doña Ana county treasurer waives fees

Doña Ana County Treasurer Eric L. Rodriguez announced today that his office will waive penalty and interest fees from property tax payments made after May 10, for accounts that meet certain qualifications.

“We have been waiting for state legislation to pass so that our office can legally provide some relief to Doña Ana County taxpayers who were affected by the COVID-19 pandemic,” Rodriguez said.

House Bill 6 provides such a relief by temporarily waiving penalty and interest for the second half of the 2019 tax liabilities on accounts that were current before May 10, 2020. The bill also provides significant relief and support measures for individuals, businesses and local governments, throughout the state.

Qualified taxpayers will not receive penalty or interest on their balance until May 10, 2021. “Our office will be working hard to identify residents who already paid the fees and qualify for this waiver.  We will credit their accounts and apply it to their 2020 tax liability,” Rodriguez said.

Residents who were unable to pay property taxes on time are encouraged to contact the County Treasurer’s office at 575-647-7433. For more information about the fee waiver, please visit www.donaanacounty.org/treasurer.

For more information about Doña Ana County, please visit www.donaanacounty.org.

The City of Las Cruces is accepting applications for its Transportation-Sustainability-Infrastructure Policy Review Committee (TSI PRC). In particular, the PRC is looking for people who represent non-profit environmental corporations or local businesses to serve.

City of Las Cruces seeks members for transportation-sustainability-infrastructure public review committee

The TSI PRC is a public board created to evaluate relevant policies, programs, and plans regarding alignment with and effectiveness in meeting the City’s adopted Comprehensive and Strategic plans. The committee will provide to council and staff appropriate recommendations to improve success in achieving stated goals and objectives related to transportation, sustainability, and infrastructure development.

The TSI PRC shall meet at least monthly and consist of three voting members selected from City Council. Up to seven non-voting ex-officio members may be selected representing a variety of subject matter experts. Ex-officio members serve up to a two-year term in a volunteer position with no compensation for service. They shall be appointed by the mayor after submitting an application.

Applications to serve as an ex-officio member may be obtained on the City’s Website: https://onboard.las-cruces.org/board/1538. For more information, contact the TSI PRC liaison at 575/541-2473 or email ahume@las-cruces.org