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Hobbs schools present mill levy plan to maintain facilities; election set for Nov. 4
Summary
Superintendent and staff outlined how the district uses an existing two-mill and four-mill levy and detailed facility priorities, proposed projects and the November ballot schedule.
Hobbs Municipal Schools staff presented a detailed overview Sept. 16 explaining how the district's existing property tax mill levy funds routine maintenance, capital projects and safety upgrades and announced plans to ask voters Nov. 4 to continue the longstanding two-mill and four-mill property taxes.
District leadership said the two- and four-mill levies have been in place for roughly two to three decades and generate about $13 million annually to pay for building upkeep, HVAC and electrical repairs, intercom and security upgrades, playground replacement, and other facility needs.
"We would not be able to do those activities and maintain those projects without those funds," Superintendent Strickland told the board during the presentation, describing replacement of aging plumbing and other infrastructure work across older district buildings.
Staff laid out facility priorities to be guided by an updated facility master plan and a five-year sequencing process. Specific projects mentioned included replacement of turf at Watson Stadium, HVAC and electrical engineering and replacements at Taylor and Mills campuses, fire-alarm replacements at College Lane and Stone, installation of ballistic window film for hardened glazing in some locations and continued upgrades to secure vestibules.
Demonstrating the ballot impact for homeowners, staff said a property assessed at $100,000 (taxable value calculated at one-third per state rules) would pay roughly $56.56 per year under the combined six mills (the district described the figure as "about $56.56"). Early and absentee voting begins Oct. 7; Oct. 21 is the last day to request an absentee ballot; election day is Nov. 4.
Staff showed a sample flyer and a QR code that links to a district landing page with registration resources, the presentation materials in English and Spanish and a sample ballot question. Board members and district staff said they plan community presentations and a video to explain the ballot language and spending purposes.
The presentation tied the mill levy request to ongoing construction and security work already underway: staff noted middle-school construction at Del Norte and the other middle campus remains on schedule, with footing and slab work underway and steel delivery forecast, and that the district will continue to include photos and regular updates in future board packets.
No formal vote on the mill levy was taken at the meeting; the presentation was informational and preceded community outreach and the scheduled November election.
Action taken: informational presentation; no board vote on the levy at this meeting.
