[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6231515,"mediaKeyId","3429521-d83449bb8fa48a7b551e5a08d810c737","parentId",3429521,"title","Resident urges independent review of Las Cruces lead service line inventory, cites gaps and 'false' designations","audioSeconds",159,"startMs",1900000,"endMs",2059000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3429521-d83449bb8fa48a7b551e5a08d810c737&start=1900&end=2059","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3429521-d83449bb8fa48a7b551e5a08d810c737/thumbnail_1900000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6231515/Las-Cruces/Doña-Ana-County/New-Mexico/Resident-urges-independent-review-of-Las-Cruces-lead-service-line-inventory-cites-gaps-and-false-designations","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6231515-5248789402a1442ce6ac53da72c2c921/orig.mp4?Expires=1771013713&Signature=PzWauy5qTm-OroCxvAt0nD60MEDpLCV1cekKGEncrNj8IdJFj6DjUpiVCJpusHfSh58jKZk2qt3H20HsM0nPHplMKcdH~iM205Zwl8hfibCniRVctFiMsAlfYnn7AnDq359zcMH-fXjRh0H6qdtGwwJfj70Nqorx3Kiw9m7RnGRXv1RIAsaEq14Q0Sos7IPdB6nV3-Kgm6PKTr-YC8GotbPC2A5ZJu2OPt5e9wlmLhtJp8bp3rfyHV0Z0r2sE1RnQjECvyHqVPvECLvmJwp4pFvNQ7iRNKUI4QYC0k2UlFqZXda0oi3I9pgYBdGxYwOcZINpNyF~tmbND7KfTiv~Qg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Las Cruces, NM","date","2025-05-21T22:20:55.57Z","article","A Las Cruces resident told the City Council during public participation May 19 that the city's lead service line inventory required by the EPA contains \"huge gaps\" and false or misleading entries, and urged the city to obtain an independent engineering assessment.

Lynn Moore told the council the inventory posted online omits service‑line data for many properties and, for properties that are listed, sometimes marks lines \"non‑lead\" without adequate basis. \"More than half the properties have no indication of any service lines whatsoever,\" Moore said, and she pointed council members to handouts she provided that sampled alleged deficiencies across hundreds of properties.

Moore said she found examples where the city designated a city‑owned service line as non‑lead by citing an installation date after the 1986 lead ban even though the same record showed piping installed in 1968. She noted EPA guidance for how systems should characterize partially unknown lines and said the city’s current inventory, if left uncorrected, could put Las Cruces at risk of noncompliance and civil penalties under the amended Lead and Copper Rule.

She urged the council to \"study this well‑researched, fact‑based information and consider it thoughtfully\" and recommended hiring an independent engineer with relevant management experience to assess the city's compliance and the accuracy of the inventory. The council did not take an immediate action on the request during the meeting; staff or councilors did not announce a follow‑up assignment at the time.

Background: The EPA’s Lead and Copper Rule requires water systems to inventory service lines, characterize unknown segments and plan replacements where lead is present. Residents and advocates use inventories to find whether their homes are subject to lead pipe risk; accuracy is central to public confidence and compliance.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Las Cruces Council Meeting - May 19th, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","A resident and researcher told council the city's lead service line inventory contains major gaps and inaccurate characterizations, urging an independent engineer to assess compliance with the EPA’s lead and copper rule and protect public health.","taxTitle","Las Cruces, Doña Ana County, New Mexico","taxId",2725,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6231522,"Las Cruces earmarks $500,000 to replace roof at Fire Station 4 after leaks displaced staff",218,3077000,3295000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3429521-d83449bb8fa48a7b551e5a08d810c737&start=3077&end=3295","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3429521-d83449bb8fa48a7b551e5a08d810c737/thumbnail_3077000.jpg","/articles/6231522/Las-Cruces/Doña-Ana-County/New-Mexico/Las-Cruces-earmarks-500000-to-replace-roof-at-Fire-Station-4-after-leaks-displaced-staff","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6231522-8034890f161797597a27eb554d47c698/orig.mp4?Expires=1771013713&Signature=mWm1GvMa-bsUyQ~IfbF8sW02mk~AsIMjXLiWXkujLPvxa1LyeIEJKGM8Jy6p0YzF-JtjijOh9JCQIwdlFoKpazgJLIDe59KcnHtrv8MTYjPKdeUlKJvymJ8b8mksUcv8ReB5IWQuBsL6lMeY96e61Jx8hYJ~GRjhPjrYLCKTCSBaUI0EwiqU06vP8e~rUAB2zS4~iSpxDTk19tURtYEuSnkBrFwJoueSEG6aNKV1MmBnCvjqp6RPsdvn89g56XK1lhBkPKwHN~N61~TcxIpFL6qk8gBLOjQhw9s7InzfF0ZryBjuIjB0aYtcymnlsXjreh7ZoDjwbdA08zhGyMvzvA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The City Council approved a combined package May 19 to fund a full roof replacement at Fire Station 4, after staff reported repeated leaks that have displaced personnel and disrupted operations.

Budget analyst Vanessa Perez and CIP staff presented the request as two linked actions: an internal budget adjustment (Resolution 25-137) reallocating roughly $209,000 within the general fund and about $291,000 from a 2023 SSGRT fund; and a Capital Improvements Program amendment (Resolution 25-138) to add the re‑roof project into the FY26 CIP. Council approved both measures.

Dominic Susie, presenting on behalf of facilities/fire operations, said \"the roof is in pretty rough shape\" and described repeated leaks that have reached dorm areas and the kitchen, forcing firefighters to be displaced at times. He told council personnel have used buckets and moved beds to avoid leaks. Staff said the work will replace the roof over the dorm area, kitchen and apparatus bay.

Councilors asked about mold testing and staff said a recent bathroom water leak at Station 4 had produced mold that was abated; the department has since been using an exterior trailer for showers while that work continues. Facilities staff said they will institute a closer inspection and maintenance schedule, including a proposed two‑month roof inspection cycle and more frequent work‑order entries to prevent future neglect.

Councilors framed the issue as a public‑safety priority because displaced firefighters can reduce response capacity in a district. Both the budget adjustment and CIP amendment passed unanimously.

Implementation notes: staff will complete the design and contract work to replace the roof sections cited and coordinate temporary arrangements for displaced personnel during construction. Council did not identify additional funding sources; the project is funded from the general fund and the SSGRT allocation as approved.","Council approved budget adjustments and a capital improvement amendment to fund a full roof replacement at Fire Station 4 (Missouri and Tel Shore), citing repeated leaks that have displaced firefighters and raised response concerns. The city will use a mix of general fund and SSGRT funds totaling about $500,000.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6231527,"Las Cruces adopts $612.2 million FY26 budget; council trims Mavita funding",1668,3804000,5472000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3429521-d83449bb8fa48a7b551e5a08d810c737&start=3804&end=5472","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3429521-d83449bb8fa48a7b551e5a08d810c737/thumbnail_3804000.jpg","/articles/6231527/Las-Cruces/Doña-Ana-County/New-Mexico/Las-Cruces-adopts-6122-million-FY26-budget-council-trims-Mavita-funding","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6231527-3fe0b033da94d6d63e1ffcdffbd92621/orig.mp4?Expires=1771013713&Signature=lUXq2fn4yt-LgaY4DdKIEVDr9L~3cHgDjAOv~OQrKi~TFL4OoVxhUtorgMFXob~erJqaOJ2tftxUM79tmJPP7Ao08vyd4qQzytK1TX1TVurU2FadPpfjAnd1SCOQPM28tbv4GWBe6wdbY-EddleNiPwPIedWBVldvq0RTpgCMbhu1lHZ3Y~4yer18JWp90zlTfB1r7LVQcllHBr6T9IL9aaFUuxtmJDsiPIsZ0T0d~yPj24TZyXeEaqWPXawERKlW9V-S3pCD07kulJHJZCyqAnlaSWw22Hvf0e6DxapgrHJ6xyWF2zXvj4oFgjfEW6IU4lMLaz4UlpxmH-svx5m-A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Las Cruces City Council adopted the fiscal year 2026 municipal budget May 19, approving $612,200,000 in proposed expenditures citywide and a $175,339,787 general fund budget for FY26.

Jacqueline Rubalcaba, budgeting and grant administrator, told council: \"The f y 26 proposed city budget, we wanted to break it down to show the $612,200,000 expenditures that we previously saw in the table,\" and outlined the major fund totals and changes from FY25. Council materials showed the general fund proposed revenues at $166,520,697 and expenditures of $175,339,787, leaving an estimated unreserved balance of about $3.5 million after the required two‑twelfths reserve.

Major budget components approved include a 5% general wage increase for FY26, inclusion of represented bargaining contracts and longevity adjustments, and projected insurance premium increases (health insurance parent/spouse rates and a 12% insurance premium increase). Personnel remains the largest general fund category at roughly 69 percent of expenditures. The adopted budget also includes 30 new general‑fund FTEs (across parks and recreation, police, finance, community development and fire) and 11 non‑general fund positions.

Council also approved funding for two police and one fire academies spanning FY25–26 to support recruitment and staffing, and a vehicle acquisition program with replacements and limited new units across departments.

During debate, Mayor Pro Tem Ben Como moved — and the council adopted — an amendment reducing a proposed increase to Mavita/Film Las Cruces funding from $275,000 back to $250,000. Economic development director Elizabeth Teeters told council the organization had requested an increase to cover higher costs tied to travel and expanded programming; councilors said they wanted additional review before permanently increasing partner funding. The amendment passed on a roll call vote and the full budget passed as amended.

The budget resolution (25-139) passed on council vote following the amendment. City staff said remaining items such as grant agreements and capital carryovers will be handled as agreements are finalized and brought back to council when required.

What this means: The budget funds personnel and services the city says it needs for FY26 while preserving reserves and approving specific program allocations and capital plans. Council members and staff said they expect ongoing review of some grant‑dependent items and carryovers over the coming year.","The City Council adopted the FY2025–26 municipal budget May 19, approving a $612.2 million citywide spending plan and a $175.3 million general fund. Council approved a 5% general wage adjustment and added new positions; members also voted to reduce a recommended increase to Mavita/Film Las Cruces funding by $25,000.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6231531,"Las Cruces council finds referendum petition insufficient, leaves Realize Las Cruces ordinance in effect",4136,2928000,7064000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3429521-d83449bb8fa48a7b551e5a08d810c737&start=2928&end=7064","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3429521-d83449bb8fa48a7b551e5a08d810c737/thumbnail_2928000.jpg","/articles/6231531/Las-Cruces/Doña-Ana-County/New-Mexico/Las-Cruces-council-finds-referendum-petition-insufficient-leaves-Realize-Las-Cruces-ordinance-in-effect","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6231531-b15eccc6ea484a1008a1a5e05be58217/orig.mp4?Expires=1771013713&Signature=jzF7vSlEtlTbCHMnVHsqO~qk43BcdUAgW78UPLl344YedERXkVfHQGas15RSy7pnDbhl9uNbUaQsSKBf68GUqVvtzd1sjDFIeTo5IfAnZZnci6XYaMbk-RQgpzoh7A~lCinLxgd6ZjSZdJ5gxGTRyTyXoLs23VoxPyFHVKqRf68AJrnzERY~i0KvedWFCAJ1sm63GFNsfbdUbzHFE7RDAQ6uPvIHNCHSJBHNSpjGaLuPpX615UgIU4w6QNwIPqyA2aUETxmmRRsU8MDvOonuVd~yAALBtuJLJIc0nnDX7kk-Pl9jPoKKXwcrJPHIgatfhVW5GCoZ8CzHETtoZRhdNw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Las Cruces City Council voted May 19 to deny the sufficiency of a petition seeking to put Ordinance 3090, known as Realize Las Cruces, on the ballot, leaving the ordinance in effect.

City Clerk Christine Rivera told the council the petition process produced a grand total of 2,547 valid signatures, below the charter-required 3,240. \"So the grand total of valid signatures was 2,547, which was less than the 3,240 required,\" Rivera said during her presentation about the petition timeline and validation steps.

Petition organizers said the city’s handling of the validation process and a series of administrative delays cost them signatures. Organizer Sarah Smith told the council the petition gathered 4,671 signatures and argued many valid names were later invalidated. She said the city delayed providing critical guidance early in the campaign and then excluded later-collected signatures. \"We collected over 4,600, yet about 1,200 of those signatures have now been thrown out without due process,\" Smith said during public comment.

Supporters of the ordinance urged the council to uphold the clerk’s determination, saying petitioners had the full set of rules and opportunities to collect valid signatures. Several speakers told council they were concerned about misinformation delivered during door-to-door petitioning and urged officials to respect representative government and the review already performed by staff.

The council’s recorded vote on Resolution 25-142 — the resolution determining petition sufficiency — was 6–1 against finding the petition sufficient (Councilor Matisse voted yes; Councilors McClure, Graham, Curran, Flores, Bencomo and Mayor Enriquez voted no). Council members voting no said the clerk's validation followed the charter and municipal procedures.

The petitioners urged further review in public and legal forums and said they would consider next steps. The council’s decision today keeps the Realize Las Cruces development code in effect; the ordinance was originally adopted Feb. 18, 2025.

What happens next: The council’s denial of petition sufficiency preserves the ordinance as adopted. Petition organizers and some residents said they may pursue additional remedies; no further council action on the petition was scheduled at the meeting’s close.","The City Council voted to deny sufficiency of a petition to refer the Realize Las Cruces development code to a public vote after the city clerk validated 2,547 signatures, below the 3,240 required under the charter. Petitioners and supporters contended procedural errors and thrown-out signatures; council majority upheld clerk’s tally.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Resident urges independent review of Las Cruces lead service line inventory, cites gaps and 'false' designations

Las Cruces earmarks $500,000 to replace roof at Fire Station 4 after leaks displaced staff

Las Cruces adopts $612.2 million FY26 budget; council trims Mavita funding

Las Cruces council finds referendum petition insufficient, leaves Realize Las Cruces ordinance in effect