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Commission backs neighboring city's effort to annex wastewater plant inside Truth or Consequences
Summary
The Truth or Consequences City Commission unanimously approved a resolution expressing support for a neighboring city's effort to annex a wastewater treatment plant that lies within TRC city limits, while noting statutory hurdles and potential service partnerships.
The Truth or Consequences City Commission on Jan. 15 unanimously approved a resolution expressing support for a neighboring city’s effort to annex a wastewater treatment plant that currently lies inside Truth or Consequences city limits.
City Manager Gary Whitehead told the commission the plant is privately owned but sits within TRC boundaries and that the area involved is small — “there’s probably 20 acres down there” — and largely unoccupied aside from one home. He said staff could not find an obvious statutory mechanism to complete the annexation and that the neighboring city will face legislative and procedural hurdles, but the resolution signals TRC’s willingness to work with them.
“We have no reason to think the action would be adverse to the city,” Whitehead said, urging the commission to allow the neighboring city to develop a map and plan and then pursue the required steps.
Whitehead and other commissioners also flagged potential service‑sharing opportunities tied to the annexation. Whitehead said the resolution anticipates discussions about whether some sewer customers could be transferred and about possible solid‑waste partnerships that could extend the useful life of TRC’s transfer station and reduce future capital costs.
The commission debated liability and jurisdictional questions — commissioners emphasized the distinction between ownership and jurisdiction, noting the land and facility remain privately owned even if jurisdictional boundaries change — and concluded the resolution is a statement of support rather than a final commitment to any transfer of assets.
A motion to approve Resolution 28‑2526 passed without opposition. The resolution directs staff to continue discussions and to assist the neighboring city as it pursues the annexation process.
What’s next: staff will continue intergovernmental discussions and the neighboring city must complete any statutory or legislative steps required for an annexation before boundaries change.
