City Council Recap - April 6, 2026 - The City of Las Cruces

People sitting in the audience section looking at the councilors and staff at a City Council meeting.

Las Cruces City Council Approves $25 Million for Maintenance and Capital Projects.

Funding includes immediate project spending and authorization to pursue bond financing for future public safety, street, park, public facility and infrastructure improvements.

Las Cruces City Council approved two resolutions during Monday’s regular council meeting that identified and funded $25 million in maintenance and new capital projects using revenue from the gross receipts tax (GRT) increase approved by voters in November 2024.

The first resolution authorizes the City to spend nearly $16 million immediately on priority projects, including $5.3 million for deferred facility and asset maintenance, $1.5 million for improvements to the intersection of Hoagland Road and Alameda Boulevard, $5 million for Las Cruces Fire Department apparatus, and $4.5 million for Las Cruces Police Department vehicles and the construction of a driving track for City public safety training.

Council also authorized staff to submit an application to the New Mexico Finance Authority (NMFA) for $20 million in GRT bond financing to support additional projects related to public safety, streets, parks, other public facilities, and critical infrastructure.

Under Council direction, 60 percent of the bond proceeds, or $12 million, would be allocated to maintenance projects, while 40 percent, or $8 million, would be allocated to new projects.

Planned maintenance projects include:

$5 million for fire station improvements
$4 million for street maintenance and traffic calming
$2.4 million for public safety fleet upkeep
$600,000 for facility maintenance and ADA compliance

Planned new projects include:

$1 million for a joint public safety training facility
$2 million for a new recreation center
$2 million for library improvements
$2 million for unfunded projects in the City’s Capital Improvement Plan
$1 million for the future extension of Engler Road

This is the first bonding cycle supported by revenue generated through the 0.325 percent GRT increase approved by voters in 2024. The increase took effect in July 2025 and is expected to generate approximately $13 million annually, dedicated to capital improvements.

Also, during Monday’s meeting, Council approved an ordinance amending the City Procurement Code to clarify what constitutes direct contact with City Council and City staff during the bid and proposal process. Council also approved an amendment extending the City of Las Cruces’ contract for electronic fuel card services with WEX Bank.

This meeting, along with all City Council meetings, can be viewed on the City’s YouTube channel.