Council approves FY24 financial report, hydrant contract, airport grant and several projects in unanimous votes

Las Cruces City Council on Tuesday unanimously approved a set of resolutions including acceptance of the city27s FY24 Comprehensive Annual Financial Report, a five-year hydrant maintenance contract, a $262,000 airport infrastructure grant added to the Capital Improvements Program, selection of public art for La Buena Vista Park and a vacation plat for Peachtree Hills Road.

The council accepted the FY24 financial report (Resolution 25-085) after an external auditor27s presentation that described an unmodified (clean) opinion and said the audit produced no findings under the state27s Yellow Book testing. Comptroller Josie Trevino introduced the report and auditor Chris Gardner reviewed highlights including the city27s general fund balances, enterprise fund positions and recognition the city received for extensive financial reporting.

The council next approved a professional services agreement for hydrant maintenance and inspection with Hydromax USA LLC of Flower Mound, Texas, in an amount not to exceed $255,250 over five years (Resolution 25-086). Fire Department staff said the work is needed to meet American Water Works Association guidelines and to protect the city27s Insurance Service Office rating. Fire Chief Jason Smith, speaking at the meeting, described the operational consequences of nonfunctioning hydrants and noted the contract addresses specific inspection and maintenance deficiencies.

Councilors also approved a CIP amendment to reflect an accepted airport grant of $262,000 for infrastructure and utilities improvements (Resolution 25-087), and they approved the City Art Board27s recommendation for a site-specific sculpture called "Desert Kinship" for La Buena Vista Park (Resolution 25-088). The approved artwork will consist of a small grouping of mild-steel pieces, with the largest about 6 feet tall; the city said the final design will include low-maintenance surface treatment and the board asked the artist to consider adding color if durable options are available.

Finally, the council approved a vacation plat for sections of right-of-way identified as Peachtree Hills Road and an adjacent unnamed road to align the city27s record with a planned Metrolink/PUD development in the area (Resolution 25-089). Planning staff said the affected area totals about 1.938 acres and the vacation removes an unimproved, city-owned strip of right-of-way that could complicate future development and maintenance.

All votes recorded at the meeting were unanimous among members present. Councilor Matisse and Councilor Flores were absent for portions of the meeting; the roll calls recorded "yes" votes from Councilors McClure, Graham, Kranz, Bencomo and Mayor Eric Enriquez on the listed resolutions.

Votes at a glance

- Resolution 25-085: Accept FY24 Comprehensive Annual Financial Report. Motion moved and seconded; vote: McClure, Matisse (recorded absent at some calls), Graham, Kranz, Bencomo, Mayor Enriquez — approved. Auditor: unmodified opinion, no findings under expanded state testing.

- Resolution 25-086: Professional services agreement for hydrant maintenance and inspection with Hydromax USA LLC not to exceed $255,250 for five years (plus applicable taxes). Motion moved by Councilor Graham, second by Councilor Corin (record not always using full names in transcript); vote: approved.

- Resolution 25-087: Amend FY202520202030 Capital Improvements Program to add accepted airport grant ($262,000). Motion moved and seconded; vote: approved.

- Resolution 25-088: Approve City Art Board recommendation and award commission for La Buena Vista Park public art ("Desert Kinship"). Motion moved and seconded; vote: approved.

- Resolution 25-089: Approve vacation plat known as the Peachtree Hills Road right-of-way vacation (approx. 1.938 acres). Motion moved and seconded; vote: approved.

Why it matters: The FY24 financial acceptance completes the city27s annual audit cycle and the clean opinion signals no material misstatements were found. The hydrant contract and CIP amendment reflect near-term infrastructure work; the public art and plat decisions are local development items that clear the way for park amenities and a planned development north of the city limits.

What27s next: Staff will implement the approved contracts, update project budgets as required, and schedule follow-ups. The council did not attach conditions to the adopted resolutions in the meeting record.

Ending

The meeting closed with routine board appointments and council comments; city staff said implementation steps and community meetings will follow for some items listed above.