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Taos staff present 2027–2031 ICIP priorities; wastewater and septic projects top list
Summary
Staff presented the Town of Taos Infrastructure Capital Improvement Plan (ICIP) for 2027–2031, prioritizing wastewater treatment facility renovation, a septic receivable station, fire apparatus replacement, Las Cruces Dam analysis and other infrastructure needs. Council discussed sequencing, matches and state funding criteria.
Assistant Town Manager Mark Flores and grants administrator Karen Gonzales presented the town's proposed 2027–2031 Infrastructure Capital Improvement Plan (ICIP) and a staff ranking of the top projects for the next five-year cycle.
Flores said the wastewater treatment facility renovation remains the top priority because the town faces new water-quality nutrient limits (nitrogen and phosphorus) approved by the state's Water Quality Control Commission and the EPA. "The wastewater treatment plant is currently finalizing the preliminary engineering report," Flores said, noting the PER will map phased improvements needed to meet current and anticipated permit requirements and to increase capacity.
Staff listed these top priorities (in staff order): wastewater treatment facility renovation; replacement of fire apparatus (ladder, engine, tanker) with long lead times for procurement; a fire station environmental analysis to support future station renovation or replacement; an analysis/rehabilitation for Las Cruces Dam; and a septic receivable station that EPA has identified to address elevated nitrates and to reduce discharge to the plant. Flores said the combined cost of the top 10 projects in the draft ICIP is roughly $36.6 million, of which about $6.34 million is already funded.
Council members discussed sequencing and the governor's guidance for capital outlay prioritization, which emphasizes projects that are top priorities on local ICIPs, fundable phases, completed planning and cost estimates certified by professionals. Council members suggested moving the septic receivable station higher on the list because it supports meeting new effluent standards, and debated the relative urgency of Las Cruces Dam repairs versus fire apparatus replacement. Fire Chief Abeyta told the council that apparatus lead times are now about four years; the department's ladder truck is roughly 20 years old and may lose points on the Insurance Services Office survey if not replaced within a few years.
Flores said the ICIP will be finalized for council action and submittal to the state; staff asked council to consider project ranking changes before the final ICIP submission. Grants administrator Karen Gonzales gave a summary of active grants across town departments and noted ongoing applications for wastewater, housing and airport projects, and said some grant awards — including airport and land-and-water conservation funds — are imminent.
Council asked staff to return draft ICIP priorities that reflect decisions made during the workshop and to consider the governor's capital-outlay criteria when positioning projects for the 2026 legislative session.
