Las Cruces to review GO 2022 bond proposals

LAS CRUCES, NM – The Las Cruces City Council obtained some of the priorities that city residents believe should be on the ballot for the 2022 general obligation (GO) bond election.

The City Council reported that completion of the second phase of the East Mesa Recreation Complex; continued improvements to existing Parks and Recreation Department facilities; substantially increased funding for affordable housing initiatives; construction of a new Fire Station No. 9, which would be built in City Council District 5; and expansion of the Thomas Branigan Memorial Library are among the priorities that were presented to the Council at its Monday, June 13, 2022 work session.

Architectural Research Consultants, Inc (ARC) presented to the City Council a summary of public involvement activities, and a list of potential GO bond projects. The presentation initiates discussions to prioritize projects that will formulate the election questions to be held on Tuesday, November 8.

In support of the GO Bond 2022 initiative, the city contracted with ARC to conduct public engagement activities that have included nine in-person and two virtual public meetings, the development of a website, and a citizen survey to evaluate the projects.

The City Council reiterated that no final decisions have been made at this time, so another work session will be held on June 27 and a regular meeting on July 18 to determine which projects or initiatives will be placed on the GO Bond ballot.

If the City Council needs additional time to finalize the ballot, additional discussions and deliberations could be scheduled on August 1 and August 15.

In 2018, city voters approved $35.6 million in GO bonds that are now being used to build new city parks and recreation facilities and for improvements.

Source: MEXICO-NOW Staff