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Las Cruces council signals consensus to use $26M bond capacity to complete library renovation
Summary
City staff presented three options for allocating $26 million of 2026 GO bond capacity; council members broadly supported Option 1 to fully fund the library expansion/renovation and directed staff to draft ballot language for July consideration.
Cynthia Lamillo, Capital Improvements Program Manager, presented three options for the city’s 2026 general obligation bond capacity ($26 million): Option 1 would allocate the entire amount to complete the library expansion and renovation (phase 1 and 2); Option 2 would split funds between library Phase 1 and preliminary work for a multi‑use gymnasium; Option 3 would pair library Phase 1 with park improvements. Lamillo said the library’s design and construction documents are nearly complete and that construction could be ready to start next year if voters approve funding: "If the projects are approved, then starting next year we will process the funds and construction begins," she said.
Mayor Eric Enriquez told the council he favored Option 1 to ensure the city delivers what it promises voters, and several council members (including McClure, Hurst, Craig, Bergamo and the Mayor Pro Tem) voiced support for prioritizing the library as a single, deliverable high‑impact project. Councilors also discussed balancing recreation, park improvements and other capital needs; councilor Matisse said he favored Option 1 while urging attention to youth programming and recreation funding sources.
Cynthia said staff will return with recommended ballot language and a resolution for adoption (the target council date to present the resolution is July 20, with a county submission deadline in late August to meet the November 3 election schedule). Carol Bray, Director of Quality of Life, said the project is roughly 50% complete on construction documents and should be shovel‑ready by the end of the calendar year. A member of the public, Jennifer Scribe, offered brief remarks in support of the library, noting more than 170,000 library users in the fiscal year and urging council support.
Council did not adopt ballot language at the work session; staff said they will refine the project scope and bring formal resolution language to council for a vote in July.
