Luna County approves preliminary 2025—26 budget after debate over Chamber funding and USDA predator-control payments

The Luna County Commission voted to accept a preliminary 2025—26 budget on a roll call vote after several commissioners pressed the county and outside groups for clearer plans and reporting requirements.

Commissioner Harvey urged the board to withhold funding for the local Chamber of Commerce until the organization provides "a definite plan of action and the organization becomes transparent," and said she would support moving the Chamber line item to zero in the preliminary document without that information. "I do not feel at this time that it's appropriate for Luna County to fund the Chamber of Commerce until we see a definite plan of action and the organization becomes transparent," she said during public comment.

Rosella Nunez, speaking for the Chamber, said the group planned a Saturday announcement for a new executive director and described a recent website outage and ongoing membership outreach. "We just thought it would be a lovely announcement of a young girl stepping up into a position ... she just started training with us on Monday," Nunez said. She told commissioners the Chamber had "288 members" "as of May 2025" but said she did not have the organization's financial statements on hand.

On a separate line item, commissioners scrutinized county support of a USDA APHIS predator-control program that assists ranchers. Commissioners discussed how the program is funded, whether private landowners pay fees that support it, and how much the county contributes. Staff reported $7,386.61 had been collected to date for the predator-control fund this fiscal year and said the county had previously supplemented the fund with roughly $20,000 in transfers. Commissioner Harvey and others cited a total county request near $47,000 and compared that to neighboring Grant County's request of $30,000.

Board members agreed to make county funding conditional on demonstrable contractor performance and reporting. A county staff member described practical options for enforcement, including manager directions to withhold payments until required reports are submitted or to structure staggered payments tied to deliverables.

The board completed a roll call vote accepting the preliminary budget with the discussed conditions: Commissioner Trejo, the presiding chair, and Commissioner Harvey each recorded a "yes" vote.

Votes at a glance - Preliminary 2025—26 budget (preliminary approval, conditions added): Passed by roll call (Commissioner Trejo: Yes; Presiding Chair: Yes; Commissioner Harvey: Yes). - Resolution 25-33 (application for funding assistance through the New Mexico Interstate Dream Commission): Passed by roll call.

Next steps The commission noted the document is preliminary and final budget figures will be adjusted after June 30 accounting. Commissioners requested that the Chamber provide membership and financial records for review and that county staff provide a detailed accounting of fees and past transfers for the predator-control fund prior to the final budget.