Eddy County commission approves 2025 tax rate; most residential mills fall, small nonresidential increases in Loving

The Eddy County Commission approved the county’s 2025 tax rate at a special meeting, with commissioners recording a unanimous vote to adopt the figures staff presented. Commissioners Truce, Bowen and Carlson voted yes. County staff member Rhonda Hatch told commissioners the Department of Finance and Administration set the rate calculations based on certified property values and the budgets submitted by taxing entities. "No. This just comes from DFA, and they what they do is they we send in our certified values, and then they look at the budgets that are sent in, and then they come up with the tax rates," Hatch said. Hatch outlined the broad pattern in the calculations: most residential mill rates decreased slightly, while some nonresidential rates rose marginally. She gave Loving as an example, saying the nonresidential rate there increased by 0.163 mills. Hatch also said Artesia saw lower rates after a hospital bond measure failed in June, which reduced that city’s mill levy. A commissioner asked whether the county itself had raised rates; Hatch replied the county did not raise rates and that the changes stemmed from the DFA calculation process. Hatch added she had compared Eddy County’s rates with surrounding counties and said the county is among the lowest in New Mexico and that "we haven't raised taxes in over 30 years." That characterization was presented by county staff as a result of her review. No members of the public spoke during the meeting’s public-comment period, and no amendments to the presented rates were offered. A motion to approve the 2025 tax rate was made and seconded, and the clerk called the roll: Truce, Bowen and Carlson each voted yes. The commission adjourned after the vote. The meeting record does not specify the exact mill levy for every taxing district or identify which commissioner moved or seconded the motion by name.