Commission approves FY26 midyear adjustments after heated debate over $1.1M 250th celebration
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Summary
Commissioners approved midyear adjustments totaling a net $1.7M from reserves; debate centered on a proposed $1.1M allocation for a three‑day 250th celebration and roughly $11K for ice rink storage, with some commissioners seeking more oversight and a March update.
Doña Ana County commissioners approved fiscal year 2026 midyear budget adjustments on Feb. 24 that increase the county’s expenditure budget by roughly $4.8 million and identify about $3.1 million in additional revenue, leaving a net draw of approximately $1.7 million from reserves.
Budget Office staff said new or increased revenue items include higher-than-projected gross receipts tax in unincorporated areas and other adjustments; expenditure requests covered facilities, vector control, OEM equipment, a new civic events fund and one‑time capital needs.
The most contentious discussion focused on $1.1 million proposed for a three‑day 250th‑anniversary regional celebration at the fairgrounds and roughly $11,000 proposed for storage containers tied to a temporary ice‑rink contractor. Commissioner Chaparro strongly objected to approving significant event funding without a detailed plan and asked for the line item to be removed pending commission approval of a scope and budget. County Manager Steven Lopez and staff said the request aimed to create economic and quality‑of‑life opportunities and that a request for proposals for a drone light show and other event elements was already under way. Commissioner Kimball and others expressed uneasiness about short planning timelines.
Commissioner Chaparro motioned to remove the $1.1M and the storage proposal from the midyear package; the motion failed on a 3‑2 vote. The full midyear adjustments then passed by roll call. The commission directed staff to present a more detailed framework for the 250th celebration and a report about the ice‑rink pilot by the March 10 meeting and asked that major contracts related to the celebration be returned to the board for approval.
What’s next: Staff will return with event parameters, cost breakdowns and an update on the ice‑rink pilot and vendor metrics (attendance, revenue) at the March 10 meeting; commissioners asked for clearer contract and budget oversight for large event expenditures.