Commission postpones amphitheater memorandum of understanding with Mescalero Apache Scribe to April 28
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Summary
After extended public testimony and commissioner debate about transparency and procurement, the board voted March 10 to postpone consideration of a proposed MOU with the Mescalero Apache Scribe for a county amphitheater until April 28, 2026, and asked staff to pursue more public outreach and a joint session with Mescalero representatives.
The Doña Ana County Commission on March 10 voted to postpone — to the April 28 meeting — formal consideration of a memorandum of understanding (MOU) proposed with the Mescalero Apache Scribe related to design, construction and operation of a county amphitheater at the Doña Ana County Fairgrounds.
Assistant County Manager Steven Lopez said the MOU was intended as a nonbinding framework to discuss how an amphitheater might accommodate Mescalero cultural and event needs and to explore potential partnership terms; he described the MOU as a preliminary discussion document rather than a contract.
Public speakers opposed moving forward without more transparency and asked the commission for wider community meetings. Olga Archuleta and others said they were concerned that the Mescalero representatives, as a sovereign nation, need not share details and that the county should not grant priority without an open procurement process.
Commissioner Kimball said community sentiment and mistrust made immediate approval inadvisable. Commissioner Chaparro and other members said a joint work session with Mescalero representatives and more public outreach would help address concerns; Commissioner Kimball moved to postpone consideration to April 28, 2026. The motion passed on roll call.
Steven Lopez said staff will use the postponement to invite Mescalero representatives for a joint session and to increase public outreach to residents who raised concerns.