Assessor, treasurer, interim fire chief introduced; county issues three proclamations and notes Fire Station 12 groundbreaking

Doña Ana County officials used the April 8 Board of County Commissioners meeting to announce several administrative updates, introduce Interim Fire Chief Andrew Bowen, and issue three proclamations honoring public-safety telecommunicators, libraries, and animal control officers, Anita Skipper said in a meeting recap.

Assessor's office: the recap noted a veterans waiver exemption event scheduled for April 24 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. in Multipurpose Room 111 at the Government Center, 845 North Motel Boulevard in Las Cruces, where veterans can receive certificates for exemptions the county offers. The assessor's office was reported to be visiting municipalities the week of April 7–10 (Anthony, Chaparral, Hatch and Sunland Park) to provide in-person assistance. The recap also noted property valuation notices will be sent out May 1 and that residents who want to receive valuation notices online can register at enoticesonline.com.

Treasurer's office: the recap said the second-half mailings were emailed and that off-site payment locations will be available April 21–24 in Chaparral, Anthony, Sunland Park and Hatch from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. The treasurer's office noted that printed payment envelopes still show the former treasurer Eric Rodriguez's name, but that the envelopes remain valid and will be used until depleted.

Fire and proclamations: Interim Fire Chief Andrew Bowen was formally introduced and reported to be stepping in for four to six months while the county conducts a search for a permanent fire chief. The chair recognized participants in the April 6 groundbreaking for Fire Station 12 at Fair Acres and noted renovations to the existing station are underway; the recap added it was the first day the station was fully staffed by career firefighters.

The board issued three proclamations during the meeting: April 13–19 as National Public Safety Telecommunications Week; April 6–12 as National Library Week (the recap also announced an April 10 open house for a new Chaparral library at the Dolores Wright Community Center); and April 13–19 as National Animal Control Officer Appreciation Week.

Why it matters: the assessor and treasurer announcements include dates and services that affect property owners and taxpayers; the introduction of an interim fire chief signals a temporary leadership transition in county fire services. The proclamations and Fire Station 12 milestone are ceremonial but signal county priorities in public safety, libraries and animal control.

What remains unclear: the recap did not provide contact names for the assessor or treasurer offices, did not give specifics of the interim chief's duties beyond a staffing window, and did not provide budget details for the Fire Station 12 work.