Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Local Elections topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Council adopts Regular Local Election resolution; discussion opens on municipal court jurisdiction
Summary
Council adopted Resolution 25-26 listing municipal positions for the regular local election and heard discussion about whether the town should consider dissolving its municipal court in favor of county magistrate jurisdiction; staff outlined statutory steps and a timeline tied to the Secretary of State deadline of July 7 for listing positions.
Taos City Council adopted Resolution 25-26, the regular local election resolution, and held a separate discussion about whether to consider dissolving the town’s municipal court in favor of referral to the Taos County magistrate court.
Jessica Chastaino introduced the municipal-court conversation, saying the town’s municipal court "is not a court of record" and that shifting to magistrate court could resolve limits the town faces in enforcing certain violations. City attorney/Mr. Merriman (legal counsel) explained the statutory process: council would appoint a Municipal Jurisdiction Committee (appointed by the mayor with council approval), the committee would prepare a report, and if the council elects to dissolve the municipal court the body would then adopt an ordinance which requires approval by the New Mexico Supreme Court. Merriman noted the timing of Supreme Court approval determines when dissolution would take effect; the town could not effect a change until the end of the sitting term for judges once the court approves the ordinance.
Council members discussed practicalities and timing. Councilor Fernandez noted the Secretary of State requires municipal positions to be listed by July 7 and presented Resolution 25-26 so the town can comply with that deadline. Councilors agreed the municipal-court question is worth fuller study but indicated it is unlikely to be resolved before the current election cycle.
Nut graf: Council voted to adopt Resolution 25-26 to meet election-administration deadlines and instructed staff to continue exploring the municipal-court versus magistrate-court option, beginning the statutorily required committee process if council decides to pursue it.
Ending: The council approved the election resolution by roll call and asked staff to place the municipal-court discussion on a future agenda for additional study if the council chooses to proceed with the Municipal Jurisdiction Committee process.
