Alamogordo commission votes to publish ordinance rededicating economic development tax to natatorium

The Alamogordo City Commission voted unanimously Tuesday to publish Ordinance 17‑21, a first‑publication step that updates the city code to rededicate the local economic development tax and associated fund balance to the construction, operations and maintenance of a municipal natatorium.

City Manager Stephanie Hernandez told the commission the ordinance corrects language in the code so it matches the Nov. 2024 referendum voters approved. "As we're working towards the funding for the natatorium, we realized our ordinance hadn't been updated to reflect what the vote was on actual referendum by the citizens in November 2024," Hernandez said.

Hernandez said the city has already transferred $4,000,000 "to the pool" and estimated the remaining balance in the economic development fund at roughly $1 million, though she said she had not pulled the exact numbers for the meeting. Commissioners asked whether the tax remained in effect; Hernandez confirmed it is still in effect and the ordinance only rededicates the tax and aligns the ordinance text with the referendum.

Commissioner Warren Robinson moved the publication and Commissioner Steven Burnett seconded; the motion passed on a 6‑0 vote.

The publication is a procedural step that will bring the ordinance back for a subsequent hearing and final action consistent with state statutory notice requirements. The ordinance text and any implementing budget adjustments will be available for public review in advance of the next hearing.