The Hobbs City Commission approved Resolution No. 7664 authorizing the mayor to execute a capital outlay grant agreement with the New Mexico Department of Finance and Administration to fund downtown Ship Street Plaza improvements. Assistant City Manager Todd Randall told the commission the request included $1 million in capital outlay to supplement other funding for a total project cost of $1.5 million.

Randall said the legislative allocation included $500,000 from Senator Larry Scott and an additional $500,000 from Senate Court discretionary funds, and that the city will make a budget adjustment to recognize the revenue. He told commissioners potential construction could begin in the first quarter of next year.

Commissioners approved the resolution by voice vote; staff said all expenditures were already budgeted and that the city will follow the usual capital project procurement and management processes.