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Finance subcommittee recommends board approval of fresh produce and milk rebids, 27 budget adjustments and fund-balance commitments; recommendation passes 5–0
Summary
The May 14 finance subcommittee recommended the full board approve rebids for fresh produce and milk, 27 VAR/BAR budget adjustments, property dispositions, vendor payments and a GASB-54 fund-balance commitment; the recommendation passed by a 5–0 roll call.
At the conclusion of its May 14 meeting, the Las Cruces Public Schools finance subcommittee voted to recommend that the full school board adopt a package of consent items: two procurement rebids, 27 budget adjustments (VARs/BARs), property dispositions, vendor payments and a GASB-54 fund-balance commitment for FY26–27.
Purchasing staff presented Bid 25-26-06 (rebid for fresh produce). The solicitation was advertised in the Las Cruces Sun-News and on the district procurement portal, opened 04/21/2026, drew 11 views and three qualified bidders; staff recommended awarding to Labatt Food Service (El Paso, TX), Quality Fruit and Vegetable Company (El Paso, TX) and Segovia Distributing to ensure product availability.
A separate rebid (25-26-07) covered milk products. That solicitation drew 14 views and four qualified respondents; staff recommended GH Dairy (El Paso) for fresh milk lines and Diversified Foods (Metairie, LA) for shelf-stable lactose-free milk due to price and product availability.
Nicole Kane presented 27 VARs (operational, federal, state/local and capital bars). Highlights included operational transfers and maintenance bars, federal carryover adjustments, a notable $3.9 million increase tied to Medicaid claims and investment income, and state grants that included a $325,000 stipend award to support roughly 130 special-education teachers for the current fiscal year (a one-year award to be re-applied for next year).
Operations staff described an upcoming vehicle procurement (a Ford Explorer for about $48,700) and explained that hybrid or EV options were evaluated but did not meet the heavy-duty 4x4 operational requirements; staff said they will continue to pursue greener fleet options where feasible.
Finance also presented a proposed fund-balance commitment under Governmental Accounting Standards Board (GASB) Statement 54 to increase transparency and set aside reserves for priorities including employee compensation, instructional materials and a $3.85 million operational buffer for federal-funding cash-flow (required because federal carryover letters may arrive after the fiscal-year start under a new unified application process). Staff also flagged an approximately $11 million insurance premium due in July and noted the district would manage timing via the committed fund balance.
Motion and vote: Chair Frank read a consolidated recommendation asking the full board to approve the listed consent items. Vice President Wofford moved and President Court seconded. Vice President Watford took the roll call; the subcommittee reported the motion carried 5–0.
What this means: The subcommittee’s recommendation sends the rebids, VARs, property dispositions, vendor payments and fund-balance commitments to the full board for final action. Any approvals at the board level will be reflected in the district’s posted consent agenda and official minutes.
