Deming council schedules Nov. 12 special meeting to hear social services funding proposals amid calls for accountability

The Deming City Council voted to hold a special meeting at 10:00 a.m. on Nov. 12 so social-services organizations can present how they spend city funding and answer questions about program financials and operations. Councilor Irma Rodriguez made the motion to schedule the meeting; Councilor Milo seconded, and the motion passed by roll call (Councilors Monjaras, Rodriguez and Milo voted AYE).

City Manager Aaron Sera told the council that several organizations have requested an opportunity to present. He said the city has not yet run a formal RFP process for social-services funding and that payments to providers in the past have included payroll and operations costs. "There is no violation in the agreement by using the funding for payroll," Sera said, and he added that organizations will be asked to provide financial statements for the Nov. 12 presentations.

At public input, Lakito Martinez alleged the FY22/23 report shows zero cannabis income yet that "$186,000 was transferred with no explanation," and asked the council for accountability. Margaret Fairman, representing Silver Linings and Spin, said her organizations conducted 219 intake interviews: 107 people reported no shelter and 112 reported some form of shelter; she asked the council for an update on the Casa Connection grant and noted Spin in Silver City will break ground on housing for people with mental illness.

Sera told council members the county is partnering with the city on transitional housing and that any recommended funding from the special meeting would be handled via a budget adjustment. He said the Nov. 12 session will be advertised broadly and that rules for presentations will be provided to applicants.

Next steps: the special meeting will proceed Nov. 12 at 10:00 a.m.; council members and staff said they expect organizations to bring statements of how funding is used and supporting financial documentation.