Mesilla Valley MPO elects Doña Ana County chair, names vice chair and executive committee

The Mesilla Valley MPO policy board elected Commissioner Sanchez (Doña Ana County) as chair for calendar year 2025 and Mayor Hernandez (Town of Mesilla) as vice chair, following the board's customary rotation among member jurisdictions.

The vote formalized a longstanding but nonbinding precedent that rotates the MPO chair among Las Cruces, Doña Ana County and the Town of Mesilla. Board members also approved the executive committee membership, which includes the chair, vice chair, the NMDOT district engineer and a city representative from Las Cruces.

Board staff noted the rotation is a tradition, not a binding rule in the MPO bylaws, and reminded members that the chair role involves responsibilities beyond presiding at monthly meetings. Trustee Johnson Buick moved to elect Mayor Hernandez as vice chair; the motion was seconded and carried on roll call. Commissioner Sanchez was nominated and elected chair by the board in a separate roll-call vote. The board then voted to confirm Commissioner Sanchez, Mayor Hernandez, Councilor Koren and NMDOT representative Mr. Chavarria as the MPO executive committee for 2025.

Board members offered brief commendations to outgoing leadership. Staff asked the incoming chair to lead the executive committee and noted the chair would preside over other agenda items until the formal handoff.

The board also approved the minutes of the Dec. 11, 2024 meeting; two members recorded abstentions. The vote complied with the New Mexico Meetings Act requirement that minutes show how each member voted.