The Doña Ana County Planning and Zoning Commission held its annual organizational meeting on Jan. 8, 2026, and confirmed officers for the coming year while approving the commission’s regular meeting schedule and a minor bylaws update.

Chair opened the meeting and the commission proceeded to nominations. Commissioners nominated Bill Sargent for chair, Bob Cerniak for vice chair and Theresa Fisher for secretary. The commission then took a roll-call vote to confirm the slate; commissioners answered in the affirmative and the nominations were approved.

Albert, a county staff member, outlined the 2026 meeting calendar and notice requirements, saying the Planning and Zoning Commission will meet on the second and fourth Thursday of each month and the Development Review Committee (DRC) on the first and third Thursdays. “PNZ on the second and fourth Thursday of each month, DRC on the first and third,” Albert stated when presenting the schedule. Commissioner Lier moved to accept the calendar; Commissioner Fisher seconded and the motion passed by voice vote.

Staff reported no substantive changes to the commission bylaws other than updating the year from 2025 to 2026. A motion to accept the 2026 bylaws was moved and seconded and the commission approved the update.

Administrative approvals were placed on the Jan. 22 meeting agenda. The meeting record shows routine procedural votes by voice or roll call to adopt the agenda, minutes, calendar and bylaws; no formal opposition or recorded abstentions were reported in the transcript.

Next steps: staff will post the administrative-approvals item for Jan. 22 and proceed with recruitment for the vacant chief planner position.