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Commission declines to pursue low-income property tax rebate this year, citing fiscal strain
Summary
After revisiting NMSA 7-2-14.3, the Colfax County Commission voted not to proceed with publication of notice or adoption of an ordinance providing state-required property tax rebates for low-income owners, with commissioners saying the county cannot afford the lost revenue.
The Colfax County Commission voted Jan. 14 not to move forward this year with adopting a local ordinance to provide property tax rebates for low-income property owners under NMSA 7-2-14.3.
The county manager read a draft resolution that would have authorized publication of notice of intent to adopt the ordinance and set a hearing under state statute. Commissioners recalled that the county considered the topic in 2023 and that county staff and the county treasurer had previously warned the commission it could not afford the program. “I remember when it was brought up before in a heated discussion… the county would have to pay the state's lost revenue,” one commissioner said, referencing the statewide statutory arrangement.
Commissioner discussion emphasized fiscal limitations. A commissioner noted that only one other New Mexico county the commissioners knew of — Los Alamos County — had adopted such a program, and several members argued Colfax County could not shoulder the cost. After discussion, a motion “to not approve” the resolution to publish notice and proceed with the ordinance carried on roll call.
What was considered: The resolution presented to the commission cited NMSA 7-2-14.3 and state publication requirements under NMSA 4-37-7. Commissioners discussed prior hearings and the county treasurer’s past testimony about affordability.
Action taken: The commission voted to decline moving forward with publication of a low-income property tax rebate ordinance at this time. The vote on the motion “to not approve” was recorded by roll call in the transcript and carried.
