The Las Cruces City Council on July 21 approved a set of fiscal-year-end and carryover budget adjustments, accepted the city’s June 30, 2025 quarterly financial report required by the New Mexico Department of Finance and Administration (DFA), and adopted the FY2026 internal audit plan.

Why it matters: The council’s votes close out fiscal year 2025 accounts, authorize carryovers and adjustments ahead of FY2026, and fulfill state reporting requirements so DFA can process the city’s budget. The internal audit plan is intended to guide compliance and risk-focused audits across city departments for the coming year.

Key approvals and amounts
- Resolution 26-012 (fourth-quarter budget adjustments): Presented by Vanessa Perez, budget analyst, the housing program requested an increase of about $402,000 for an affordable home-ownership revolving loan tied to an earlier resolution (23-102) and a sale of property that will fund the request; the Quality of Life department requested about $4,700 in program income for congregate meals; Public Works requested $60,000 from the Telstra facility fund for the Griggs Walnut monitoring well and $140,000 from the gas-tax fund for increased vehicle repair/maintenance expenses. Motion to approve: Councilor Graham; second recorded. Vote: Councilor McClure — yes; Councilor Matisse — yes; Councilor Graham — yes; Councilor Kran — yes; Councilor Flores — yes; Councilor Bencomo — yes; Mayor Enriquez — yes.
- Resolution 26-013 (carryovers and FY26-start adjustments): Perez said this first set of FY26 carryovers totaled about $732,000 in the general fund and included an IT carryover of roughly $329,000 for a VidaCore upgrade, housing carryover of about $186,000 for the Jardim De Los Ninos re-roof project, Parks and Recreation overtime funding of about $159,000, and a $57,000 carryover for the East Side Senior Center remodel. Other funds: Police requested $66,000 from the vehicle-forfeiture fund for traffic-study software; Public Works requests totaled approximately $1.6 million from the GRT Street Maintenance Fund for lighting, pavement marking, sidewalk program and system modernization; a Telstra facility fund line was adjusted by $2,000,000 to reflect original project allotments (Peachtree project). Motion to approve: Councilor Grant; vote recorded: Councilor McClure — yes; Councilor Matisse — no; Councilor Graham — yes; Councilor Grama — yes; Councilor Flores — yes; Councilor Bencomo — yes; Mayor — yes.
- Resolution 26-014 (June 30, 2025 quarterly financial report): Josh Saffel, finance department, summarized that the report is submitted under NMSA 1978 Section 6-6-2 and required by DFA’s Local Government Division; the city reported preliminary figures as of July 8: general fund revenues $173,837,725 and general fund expenditures $119,018,841; all other funds revenue $221,970,681 and expenditures $187,510,849. Council approved the resolution unanimously.
- Resolution 26-015 (FY26 internal audit plan): City Auditor Viola Perea presented the FY26 internal audit plan, which is based on a citywide risk assessment and Institute of Internal Auditors standards; she said the plan was reviewed by the oversight committee and noted planned follow-up audits and four new audits for FY26. Oversight committee membership named in the meeting included a volunteer chair and two additional public members plus two council liaisons (Mayor Pro Tem Bencomo and Councilor Matisse). The plan was adopted by resolution.

Discussion and questions: Councilor Flores asked about the Meals on Wheels/congregate-meals funding source and continuity; Quality of Life Director Carol Bray said the congregate meals program is funded primarily by Title III (Older Americans Act) funds, supplemented by state and city funding, and that donations increased last year as participation rose. Josh Saffel said the DFA fourth-quarter report must be filed by July 31 and that DFA requires the resolution with the report for budget processing.

Decisions: Council approved the listed resolutions and adjustments by recorded roll-call votes. One councilor (Matisse) voted no on resolution 26-013; other measures passed. No amendments were recorded on the dais.

Ending: The council completed the fiscal and audit items that staff said are needed for DFA submission and for moving the FY26 budget process forward. Staff offered to provide detailed backup in the council packets for members requesting more information.