[{"_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",6197057,"mediaKeyId","3853917-30c990606d19f9965bdebbce79e9fc36","parentId",3853917,"title","Commissioners press assessor for detailed reappraisal plan and timeline for 1% fund use","audioSeconds",733,"startMs",6452000,"endMs",7185000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3853917-30c990606d19f9965bdebbce79e9fc36&start=6452&end=7185","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3853917-30c990606d19f9965bdebbce79e9fc36/thumbnail_6452000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6197057/Doña-Ana-County/New-Mexico/Commissioners-press-assessor-for-detailed-reappraisal-plan-and-timeline-for-1-fund-use","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6197057-5d5faccf8154bca3a2ad133fa7bd2934/orig.mp4?Expires=1771185053&Signature=PjcXg457ZDDeaByNN70QvhDlon3eyH3XG11JOBsCg-~YqrQc9GVVyxleHu7zAyduf9N2jBVg464ho74KFCZgsIr9svtRo6ekkRYnrLXEI5EgEDoTJ3XTAzXyV4DdpJPiQ1-X3b6lJAW-EtC01dcgKwqnk5CmAsQ5CcOoQza8JRzX-21XyD4f-uzktjLZlzGL2PqrSPz9M1LRbwNh~OtXAKfWsy46cCKg0rPRlHOx6bE0zFyEkNkIU-YBfFTXQ1UtvS2FrXVA20zt4Yu27i893VwDAWTmQaKYSMC-cwzFjWYbpiYHgJWdYL19KEBzjpdlvxhBQCQ3RxW8nLRGK~Bw2w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Dona Ana County, NM","date","2025-06-17T14:30:10Z","article","Doña Ana County commissioners on June 17 urged the county assessor to submit a formal plan and resolution describing how the office will use the assessor’s 1% fund to perform reappraisals, saying the materials the board had received lacked timelines, staffing and measurable results.

Commissioners said they had previously reviewed a presentation from the assessor but that the package did not include concrete specifics on expected accomplishments by year, staffing needs or how the project would be resourced and tracked. Commissioner Reynolds told the room: “We did receive somewhat of a plan, but it did not include any specifics about timing, resources, results, expectations, conclusions, responsibilities.”

County staff and commissioners noted the Department of Finance and Administration had reviewed the use of the 1% fund and issued guidance to the county; DFA’s letter, referenced in the meeting, confirmed the fund’s use for reappraisal work but requires the assessor to provide a clear plan for board approval. Assistant County Manager Stephen Lopez asked commissioners to provide direction to the assessor and offered staff support to help draft a resolution or locate model plans from other counties.

Deputy assessor staff had discussed staffing approaches and a hybrid in‑house/contract model during prior briefings; commissioners suggested a cyclical five‑ to six‑year approach so in‑person appraisal work is performed on a rolling basis rather than in a single concentrated round that creates large hires and subsequent layoffs. Commissioners said the board needs a plan that describes: anticipated percent of parcels reappraised each year, staffing approach (internal vs. contract), estimated costs and funding sources (including the 1% fund), and an explicit timeline so the board can consider the assessor’s plan before final budget submissions.

The board gave staff direction to work with the assessor’s office to produce a formal resolution, and asked that the assessor present a complete plan at the board’s next meeting. Commissioners emphasized the county’s rising property values and the need for regular reappraisals to maintain an equitable tax base.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Board of County Commissioners Work Session - June 17, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The board asked the assessor to submit a formal, detailed resolution and timeline for using the assessor’s 1% fund to perform countywide reappraisals, and asked staff to help produce a plan that includes timing, expected results and funding needs.","taxTitle","Doña Ana County, New Mexico","taxId",2695,"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},6197060,"Commissioners ask staff to convene stakeholders after reports of migrant deaths in county desert areas",688,5698000,6386000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3853917-30c990606d19f9965bdebbce79e9fc36&start=5698&end=6386","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3853917-30c990606d19f9965bdebbce79e9fc36/thumbnail_5698000.jpg","/articles/6197060/Doña-Ana-County/New-Mexico/Commissioners-ask-staff-to-convene-stakeholders-after-reports-of-migrant-deaths-in-county-desert-areas","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6197060-2272ef9de551ff297f137725d6ec515e/orig.mp4?Expires=1771185053&Signature=XcLMgDb9Wx04NCDEWr6F8ylDdEUX8SH3hnnk9kk~rWfSp1PI428slhGBhtuT4H8T7x6Po-WTl3xcOwAev03XMGvP9rChJcGG6jZmiTjimV~KXoEu1mWiniIgFDQ0DOABbZu-rx~euxQfirC15FrbAEbXKQ~qlpkpv6iPhmJ~RDCqqxUfUFhtUMxEV6Ri5zDTdqihW9rtBrkGa5MN9l9KNYEoK3yqUhP3it7KAMI3SGJhWM~ZKJYb5DDA16lbaEsN~BCDni4d9B36anC45HwKymzBhjsF6bBW4yiIJSrDO-p4FSw7ZuIXw3V318yB8NRMm1lyR7~r9b9Y0QUtZPjEyQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Doña Ana County commissioners on June 17 discussed recent reports of human remains in desert areas west of Santa Teresa and asked staff to convene state and federal stakeholders to clarify investigative responsibilities and coordinate responses.

Assistant County Manager Stephen Lopez briefed the board on reports dating to 2022 that a large number of migrant deaths have occurred in southern Doña Ana County and said the Office of the Medical Investigator (OMI) has statutory authority over human remains. Lopez noted prior conflict among volunteer groups, OMI and local law enforcement and said the governor’s office had been asked to consider a multi‑agency task force; he reported no substantive response from the governor at the time of the meeting.

Lopez told commissioners the sheriff’s office has limited resources for wide area searches but that sheriff’s investigators had been observed working the area recently. Commissioners and staff discussed whether additional state or federal assets — including state police, BLM (Bureau of Land Management) and military resources — should be invited to coordinate a response; several commissioners said they expected congressional offices and the state to take part.

Commissioners emphasized the legal complexity: state statute delegates authority over human remains to OMI, while unincorporated area policing often falls to the sheriff’s office. Commissioners requested that staff assemble stakeholders — including the sheriff’s office, the Office of the Medical Investigator, state police, federal partners and the district commissioner — to develop a memorandum of understanding or clear operational protocol for who responds and how evidence and remains are handled.

No formal action or vote was recorded; the board directed staff to begin stakeholder outreach and return with recommendations. Commissioner Sanchez volunteered to participate in stakeholder briefings for the district. Staff said they would invite relevant state and federal offices and report back once a stakeholder meeting is scheduled.

County staff noted additional complications where remains may be on federally managed lands (BLM) or impacted by multiple jurisdictions, and they cautioned that archaeological or historical remains are handled under different federal and state rules.

Staff recommended and the board accepted direction to seek a convening that would include the sheriff, state OMI, state police, federal land managers and congressional offices to determine roles, resources and potential agreements for investigation and recovery.","County officials discussed reported migrant deaths west of Santa Teresa, noted jurisdictional complexities that place remains under the Office of the Medical Investigator, and asked staff to assemble state and federal stakeholders to clarify roles and response.",{"_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},6197065,"Doña Ana County launches outreach and vendor team for November bond question",2312,3377000,5689000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3853917-30c990606d19f9965bdebbce79e9fc36&start=3377&end=5689","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3853917-30c990606d19f9965bdebbce79e9fc36/thumbnail_3377000.jpg","/articles/6197065/Doña-Ana-County/New-Mexico/Doña-Ana-County-launches-outreach-and-vendor-team-for-November-bond-question","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6197065-72f26d43e8f380bacae2fc74ccc8222d/orig.mp4?Expires=1771185053&Signature=IMAUXvRbLAe9nF0hACUzFkSjMlkjs5TWWcGB~bHkTa2Y13Nbk~5EEKPYNjvPTaG4czC3jJSBNGbWG7iZd9Z1SEMJE-iTsCEK4hGd3HtcIEdIwNCyj7aE4A6Zq8LnUb7uPqHr3ipEno8vRv4mgMVt5z~HHCABDW3JmPQ-~geCwTyd3o9~Yvs2hdXDlGV3qZXSRH169t7XnWfZuE1y8Dpj5piyv0VRvrUW5LZdI3tPbNHv4c3QxNlcQHHpRDNm~x9aUMoxEKaB18zYGrOae-zwobz~TCcv-49FQncB~cI5WERriKA0tZZCHeo5e6vEt6d1AmSyJDD2s10oQFeyktqeKQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Doña Ana County staff and outside consultants on June 17 described plans to develop community engagement, messaging and a project pipeline ahead of a likely bond question in November, and they announced a vendor team led by Sunny505 and Insight Network to support outreach.

Assistant County Manager Jonathan Macias and staff said the bond planning will be grounded in the county’s strategic plan (the “vital conditions” framework) and coordinated with departments including budget, legal, communications and economic development. Macias said the question wording will need meticulous review by legal and the Board of County Commissioners before it is published.

Rosalinda (Rosie) from Insight Network told the board the vital conditions framework “will provide a very strategic lens for prioritizing these infrastructure investments and how they have a long term impact on community thriving,” and the firm described a data‑driven approach to prioritize projects that support health, housing, jobs and belonging. Gabriel (Gabe) Gallegos of Sunny505 introduced the firm’s role as the campaign and public‑engagement lead; he said the team’s first steps will include community listening sessions and development of a messaging framework to explain outcomes for voters.

Commissioners raised several execution questions, including anticipated voter turnout for the municipal election cycle and the effect of recent Las Cruces city taxes on voter sentiment. Commissioners asked staff and vendors to prepare clear cost scenarios and impact explanations so residents can evaluate tradeoffs. County staff said they will coordinate the bond timing with the county’s July 11 ICIP submission process and will produce a community calendar of listening sessions and town halls for commissioners and partners.

Staff said an internal bond team will work with Sunny505 (lead: Gabe Gallegos) and Insight Network (lead: Rosie) to create bilingual outreach materials, talking points for commissioners, a survey/listening strategy and a public project timeline. Macias indicated an internal procurement and master planning track is already underway for project development; Assistant County Manager Steven Lopez said a consultant selection meeting for master planning is scheduled and that staff expect to bring a recommended selection to the board within about two weeks.

No formal ballot language or final project list was adopted at the meeting. Commissioners asked for clear information on tax impacts and a focused outreach strategy to ensure turnout in the municipal election. Staff said they will deliver talking points, a project timeline, community calendars and sample ballot language drafts for future board review.

Next steps identified in the session included: selecting master‑planning vendors; finalizing outreach timelines and community engagement schedules; producing messaging materials and a multilingual communications plan; and integrating the ICIP submission process into project prioritization.","County staff and outside partners outlined a public engagement and messaging plan to prepare a county‑level bond referendum, emphasizing the “vital conditions” framework and targeted outreach for an off‑cycle municipal election in November.",{"_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},6197070,"Doña Ana County directs master plan for San Miguel lift station after church’s septic fails",2925,351000,3276000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3853917-30c990606d19f9965bdebbce79e9fc36&start=351&end=3276","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3853917-30c990606d19f9965bdebbce79e9fc36/thumbnail_351000.jpg","/articles/6197070/Doña-Ana-County/New-Mexico/Doña-Ana-County-directs-master-plan-for-San-Miguel-lift-station-after-churchs-septic-fails","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6197070-e6a2f9decf6c3cf4e2519c9e5c8cf707/orig.mp4?Expires=1771185053&Signature=mDKgST7atxSLCZEx7fXC5RdJ4TneUJwzMzn85uh8u36rTg98k0n6WAsfVRu2Ixy~9EXpTdi6kq4b~xEcILSeoKwv4ur9uidUPivEnlB8AB3ZqNioe5WFPycpfNpeMXpTu-OFfvY9i~pibOavmXb8ZWj7R5QH3f416S-Y~mHDfyWvhzwjQVJGWWhGrXvlSBcbRSOdvq8-WBIggpFmBacLufVek5HF3C5u7n-J~23aV4gBzsLZsLAVu7hK0VU4rRQX-P86qv01rALTqHwc~yz9NA33lffK195eq9mSvxkWa6m7ifI1vrHQ-X4-kond~KJ~t-5UKOEUwQ32qOMycNyqqA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Doña Ana County commissioners on June 17 directed staff to develop a wastewater master plan for the San Miguel area after residents and local officials said an aging septic system at a community church has failed and the neighborhood faces multiple failing septic systems.

The move comes after county staff described a recent state law, SB 357 (the Essential Services Development Act), that would let local governments use public dollars to support infrastructure projects that connect residences and community facilities to water and wastewater systems. Assistant County Manager Jonathan Macias summarized that change in state law as “SB 357, known as the Essential Services Development Act.”

Commissioners heard that the church serving as a community hub has stopped using its septic system and is relying on porta‑potties, and that many nearby homes are older, multigenerational properties on failing septic tanks or cesspools. Commissioner Reynolds said the congregation and neighbors had organized grassroots advocacy and urged the county to move quickly; Commissioner Sanchez and others urged a broader, countywide strategy to avoid creating an unsustainable, single‑site precedent.

County staff told the commission a preliminary cost estimate already prepared for a single small lift station and one connection was about $200,000. Staff said that figure covered a small lift station sized only to serve the church; expanding the design to capture gravity flow and allow multiple residential or business tie‑ins would change the order of magnitude and would require engineering studies. Assistant County Manager Stephen Lopez said the county would need design parameters before it could get a reliable cost estimate.

The commission discussed funding options including the county’s ICIP (Infrastructure Capital Improvement Plan), state and federal grants and the new state mechanism under SB 357 to create a grant pot for tie‑in costs. County staff warned that using the ICIP alone would likely delay construction by at least a year and a half. Commissioners and staff also discussed the anti‑donation limits that previously constrained using county funds to pay for private connections and how the new state law could change the county’s options.

On timing, staff told commissioners that if the county decided immediately to build a small lift station sized for the church only, construction could be completed in about six months; several commissioners said that timeline might not meet the church’s immediate needs. Commissioners discussed short‑term options, including offering use of a nearby La Mesa community center for services while a longer‑term solution is planned.

What the board directed: commissioners agreed to proceed with a San Miguel wastewater master plan and to pursue immediate interim relief options. Staff were asked to:

- Commission an engineering study and cost estimate sized both for a single connection and for a larger lift station that could serve multiple properties;
- Pursue grant and other outside funding options (federal, state, Colonial Infrastructure Fund/Colonial funding where allowed) and follow up with state legislators about available tie‑in funds under SB 357; and
- Offer short‑term, nonconstruction accommodations (for example, community center space) while design and funding are pursued.

There was no formal roll‑call vote recorded in the work session on these directions; the record shows board consensus to proceed with planning and outreach. Commissioners emphasized two constraints: (1) any construction that connects to private structures and replaces on‑site septic had to be treated so the county did not assume full financial responsibility for every future tie‑in; and (2) a county‑owned and -operated wastewater system already exists in the area, which presenters said makes San Miguel a practical test case for expanding county utility services.

County staff also noted a commonly cited home septic replacement cost range in the discussion — commissioners and speakers said residents have reported replacement costs of about $15,000 to $20,000 for a new septic system — and that a successful program would need to pair system construction with funding or grant support for household tie‑ins. Staff pledged to return with a more detailed plan and schedule for the board’s consideration.

The discussion concluded with staff agreeing to begin the master plan procurement and to coordinate community outreach and funding research; commissioners asked staff to return with a formal plan or resolution to approve once the engineering scope and funding approach are clearer.","County commissioners agreed to pursue a wastewater master plan for the San Miguel area and to explore short-term relief and multiple funding sources after a neighborhood church’s septic system failed and residents reported aging, failing systems.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Commissioners press assessor for detailed reappraisal plan and timeline for 1% fund use

Commissioners ask staff to convene stakeholders after reports of migrant deaths in county desert areas

Doña Ana County launches outreach and vendor team for November bond question

Doña Ana County directs master plan for San Miguel lift station after church’s septic fails