Las Cruces City Council approves $612M budget for fiscal year 2026

The Las Cruces City Council meeting on May 19, 2025, was dominated by discussions surrounding the proposed budget for fiscal year 2026, which totals $612.2 million. This budget reflects a significant decrease of approximately 8% from the revised budget of the previous year, primarily due to changes in grant funding and the conclusion of several capital projects.

City officials highlighted the budget's focus on community engagement, showcasing local events like the Mesilla Valley Balloon Rally on the cover of the budget book. The proposed general fund budget is set at $175.3 million, marking a 3.5% increase from the previous year's revised budget. This increase is attributed to personnel costs, which saw a rise of $10.7 million, while operating and capital expenditures decreased.

A notable point of contention arose during the meeting regarding funding for the nonprofit organization Mavita. Councilor McClure proposed an amendment to reduce Mavita's budget from $275,000 back to $250,000, citing a lack of public discussion on the increase and concerns over the organization's performance. The amendment passed, reflecting the council's commitment to scrutinizing budget increases for nonprofits.

Additionally, the council approved a resolution for the Capital Improvement Program (CIP) for fiscal years 2026 to 2031, which outlines long-term infrastructure investments. The CIP document emphasizes the city's commitment to sustainable growth and includes various funding sources such as grants and loans.

Overall, the meeting underscored the council's focus on fiscal responsibility while addressing community needs and infrastructure development. The proposed budget will be further reviewed and is expected to be adopted in the coming weeks, with ongoing discussions about specific allocations and community programs.