Clovis commission votes to put 0.1225% gross-receipts tax question on November ballot for sports and recreation facility

The Clovis City Commission on a unanimous vote approved a resolution to place a question on the Nov. 4, 2025 municipal ballot asking voters whether to impose a 0.1225% municipal gross receipts tax to fund capital improvements, maintenance, operations and debt service for city parks and recreational facilities, including an aquatic center and a proposed indoor sports complex.

Mayor Mike Morris and city staff said the city and Curry County have been coordinating on a regional indoor sports complex because neither entity could fund a project of that size alone. A staff presentation to the commission said the city would use its portion of the revenue for facility operations while the county would seek debt service funding for capital costs. The proposed imposition, if approved by voters and later adopted by ordinance and the state, would begin on July 1, 2026.

City staff provided examples to show the local effect of the tax: a $5 purchase at the proposed 0.1225% rate would add less than one cent, while a $1,000 purchase would add about $1.22. The county commission earlier voted to place a related 0.13% gross receipts tax question before county voters.

Commissioners emphasized the need for voter education if the measure is approved for the ballot. Commissioner Paula clarified the facility is intended for all ages, not only youth. Several commissioners said the public survey results showed community interest but noted that placing the measure on the ballot simply asks voters whether they want the city to use this financing tool.

The commission’s vote to approve Resolution No. 3335-2025 was unanimous. After the meeting, staff said they will coordinate with the Curry County Clerk and begin voter-education work in the months before the election.

"We want the voters to decide," Mayor Morris said during discussion, noting grant funding opportunities had not been sufficient to cover the anticipated project cost.

The city said consultants including RBC and financial adviser Eric Harrigan assisted in fiscal estimates and that legal counsel drafted the ballot question language. The commission recorded its approval by roll call: Commissioner Porter, Mayor Pro Tem Bryant, Commissioner Garza, Commissioner Tarson, Commissioner Paula, Commissioner Jones, Commissioner Casaus and Mayor Morris all voted yes.

The commission did not adopt the tax tonight; it approved only the resolution to place the question before voters.