Luna County Commission approves package of infrastructure, nuisance-abatement and funding resolutions

The Luna County Commission voted unanimously in favor of multiple resolutions on Oct. 16, approving plan-design funding for flood control and road improvements, renewing transportation and cable-franchise agreements, and authorizing the county to remove or secure several dilapidated properties and place liens for cleanup costs.

Why it matters: The approvals move several previously awarded grants and design projects into the implementation stage — including plan design for flood-prone roads and shoulders — and give county staff authority to address long‑standing nuisance properties that officials said are hazardous or attractive to criminal activity.

What the commission approved: Among the items the commission adopted by roll-call votes (Chair Chandler, Commissioner Harvey and Commissioner Trejo all voting yes) were:

- Resolution 25-73: Final closing documents to secure New Mexico Finance Authority funding for plan design to address consistent flooding on Sunshine/McCann/Yuma/Maverick roads; staff said this secures awarded funds so design work can begin next year. (Presenter: county project staff.)

- Resolution 25-75: Participation in the Transportation Project Fund to secure plan-design dollars for a seven-mile segment of a longer corridor, allowing work on flood mitigation, shoulders and guardrails.

- Resolution 25-76: Annual participation agreement and representative appointments with the Southwest New Mexico Council of Governments with annual dues of $8,159.

- Resolutions 25-77, 25-78, 25-79 and 25-80: Authorization to remove or otherwise abate four exceptionally dilapidated or nuisance properties under county ordinances, with cleanup performed by the road department and costs billed to owners or placed as liens on the properties. County attorney Chuck described prior outreach and said the properties were the "worst of the worst;" the commission approved the clean-and-lien approach.

Other approvals included award recommendations for a fire‑protection water‑system grant for volunteer fire stations, a Comcast cable-franchise renewal covering county right-of-way use, and joining the Opioid Remediation Collaborative to pool remediation funds for behavioral-health and related projects.

Tabled items and follow-up: The commission tabled a proposed update to the county’s indigent health care policy (resolution 25-82) after commissioners said the draft contained inconsistent language about residency and eligibility; staff agreed to provide one-on-one briefings and return with clarifications. Separately, the commission reopened discussion of previously approved Chamber of Commerce funding and voted to table further action until the Chamber provides requested financial statements and a written plan for cooperation (see separate article).

Votes at a glance (selected items): - Resolution 25-73 (NMFA plan design funding): Approved by roll call (Chandler: yes; Harvey: yes; Trejo: yes). - Resolution 25-74 (see separate article on RV/manufactured-home rules): Approved by roll call (unanimous). - Resolution 25-75 (Transportation Project Fund participation): Approved by roll call (unanimous). - Resolution 25-76 (COG agreement, $8,159 dues): Approved by roll call (unanimous). - Resolutions 25-77–25-80 (nuisance removals/cleanup and liens for four properties): Approved by roll calls (unanimous). - Resolution 25-81 (support for NM Counties 2026 legislative priorities): Approved by roll call (unanimous). - Resolution 25-82 (indigent health care policy update): Tabled for clarification and one-on-one briefings.

What’s next: Staff will complete closing paperwork for awarded projects and proceed with plan design; code-enforcement staff will schedule cleanups and file liens as needed. The indigent care policy and the Chamber funding matter were sent back for additional information and return to a future meeting.

Sources: County staff presentations and roll‑call votes during the Luna County Commission meeting (Oct. 16).