Aztec reports multimillion-dollar grant for South Aztec tank, wastewater UV funding and other capital wins

City public-works and public-safety staff reported a series of recent funding wins and project updates at the Aztec City Commission meeting.

A city project speaker said the South Aztec tank (replacement of the ladder tank) received a $2,500,000 grant from the New Mexico Environment Department (NMED), and the low bid came in under that grant amount; the speaker will present an engineer's recommendation of award to the commission at the next meeting. Separately, Chief Joe reported legislative funding approvals contingent on the governor's signature: $500,000 for an ultraviolet system at the wastewater plant, $350,000 for a street sweeper and $215,000 for police vehicles.

Staff updated the commission on the clear well project, noting an expected early-April milestone for a principal phase. The clear well required unforeseen minor repairs after a leak was discovered when crews exposed it; staff expect a few modest change orders (speaker cited amounts roughly $7,500 and $9,500) but said the work remains within the overall grant budget. The Riverbank Stabilization Project also received bids under its grant budget and will be brought forward for award recommendation.

The city reported transferring $2,500,000 into its savings account and that the Small Cities grant allocation this year was about $639,000 compared with a typical budget figure of $435,000. Staff said they will prepare a short report for the next commission meeting that reconciles change-order amounts and the status of grant-funded work.