City presents $1.2 billion five‑year capital plan, flags $317M unfunded needs
Loading...
Summary
Capital Improvements Program staff told council the FY27 CIP includes 309 projects and a five‑year funding need of about $1.2 billion, with $317 million of unfunded needs; major categories include utilities, streets and public facilities and staff urged pursuing multiple funding sources.
Cynthia Lamillo, capital improvements program manager, told the Las Cruces City Council that the proposed FY27 Capital Improvements Program includes 309 projects and identified a five‑year funding need of roughly $1.2 billion.
Lamillo said 164 projects have no funding identified and 145 projects have at least partial funding in place. The FY27 funded column includes carryover and new grant awards; she highlighted $72 million in carryover for utilities and $230 million in projected five‑year street needs. Examples cited included a high‑cost East Loman Avenue multimodal widening project estimated at about $23 million and an ongoing set of multi‑year projects such as the East Mesa recreational complex.
Lamillo stressed the need to combine local funds, grants, bonds and loans to move projects forward and noted the CIP’s role in informing state legislative priorities. She asked council to consider the CIP’s priorities as staff continues grant pursuit and programming work. Councilors asked questions about resiliency projects, fleet electrification, recurring annual programs such as playground renovations, and the split of project responsibilities across departments.
Lamillo said the preliminary CIP was published March 30 and that staff expects to incorporate incoming grant awards for the airport and animal services. The CIP will be finalized after council direction and remains subject to funding availability. Staff will return with additional detail and continue pursuing state and federal funding to close identified gaps.
