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Sierra County narrowly approves assuming maintenance for NM 4-36 tied to Spaceport Road exchange
Summary
The county commission approved Resolution No. 2026-13 to accept maintenance responsibility for NM 4-36 (the Spaceport Road exchange) after a divided vote. Commissioner Sandy Jones expressed concern about past maintenance; motion passed with two votes in favor and one opposed.
The Sierra County Commission on Jan. 27 approved Resolution No. 2026-13 to accept county maintenance responsibility for New Mexico State Road 4-36 in connection with the Spaceport Road exchange, with the motion carrying by a 2-1 margin.
Commissioner Sandy Jones said he was concerned the road "has not been maintained as it should" and that he was "reluctantly" seconding the motion, expressing surprise that no one had been hurt. Billy Neeley responded that the county had already spent significant money and time on maintenance. The minutes record that Commissioners representing Districts 1 and 2 voted yes while District 3 voted no.
Why it matters: Accepting maintenance responsibility transfers ongoing costs and liability for the roadway to the county. Commissioners flagged maintenance history and future upkeep as key considerations when approving the exchange tied to spaceport access.
The discussion followed earlier agenda items about road closures and a petition to vacate Trout Road in the Hot Spring Landing South subdivision. The commission approved a related county road closure for the New Mexico Spaceport Authority (Upham Road) earlier in the meeting.
The commission moved to executive session later in the meeting to address pending and threatened litigation, including Misty Gustin v. Sierra County; no action resulted from that session.
