Residents and advocacy groups split over use of new GRT revenue; council hears hours of public comment

Dozens of residents turned out Tuesday to urge the Las Cruces City Council to follow the community’s priorities for spending newly available Gross Receipts Tax (GRT) revenue — or, alternately, to prioritize a public safety training facility the city has proposed.

Speakers at the public‑comment period framed the dispute as a choice between investment in “third spaces” — libraries, parks, recreation centers and youth programs — and funding dedicated to police and fire training. Lindley Hornsby, who identified community feedback collected last year as favoring libraries, parks and water infrastructure, said: “The community certainly doesn't see it that way. We need more third spaces, that will benefit all of the community, and especially youth.”

On the other side, multiple speakers said the GRT campaign emphasized public safety when it ran on the ballot. Jose Carrera, a local business owner, said the radio campaign promoted public safety as a primary reason he supported the measure and urged the council to use GRT dollars to support first responders. Vic Villalobos told the council the public expected those funds to start with public safety and asked them not to divert the money away from police and fire training.

Several commenters challenged the process by which staff later presented proposed allocations. Israel Chavez and others alleged the city had solicited public comment but then did not sufficiently incorporate it into staff proposals; Chavez cited court precedent and said the city must closely consider public input before final decision‑making. Speakers on multiple panels asked the council either to place a police training facility on a ballot for direct voter approval or to fund it from alternate sources if it conflicts with expressed community priorities.

Speakers pressed council members on the data used to set priorities. Several residents — including Lucas Hernan and Spencer Taylor — urged the city to stick to the priorities identified by community meetings and surveys, arguing that investments in recreation and youth programming address root causes of crime. “Police may be part of what we put out for safety,” Taylor said, “but a lot of data shows that police don't inherently equal safety.”

Council members repeatedly told the public the decision would balance voter input, survey results, operational needs, and available state and federal funding. Mayor Eric Enriquez said the city had surveyed residents, taken public input, and is weighing those inputs against the call volumes and public safety needs the city handles each year. Council members acknowledged that the matter is unresolved and will remain under consideration through the budget process.

The council did not take a formal vote on GRT allocations at Tuesday’s meeting; debate and planning are expected to continue in work sessions leading up to the April budget decisions.