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Council approves museum storage lease increase, two liquor-license transfers and $215,082 in receivable write-offs
Summary
Council approved a retroactive spending authorization for the museum systems storage lease (raising the authorized amount to $113,138.16 through FY2029), two liquor-license transfers for existing restaurants, multiple budget carryovers and the write-off of $215,082 in uncollectible accounts (utilities, general billing, library).
The Las Cruces City Council approved several routine finance, licensing and budget items during its July 6 meeting.
Lease increase: Donnie Prosise, purchasing supervisor, requested authorization to increase the spending limit for the storage lease used by the museum system to not exceed $113,138.16 through fiscal year 2029 following a series of extensions and a prior monthly increase; Whitney Broadway of the museum system confirmed the facility is 8,000 square feet. Councilor Harris questioned retroactive approvals and the threshold for council approval; Prosise said expenditures that exceed $100,000 annually normally require council approval and this situation stemmed from an earlier buyer not recognizing the aggregate extension amounts. Council approved Resolution 27‑001 by roll call.
Liquor licenses: Adam Mitchell summarized two transfer‑of‑ownership applications for on‑premise liquor licenses (Cattle Baron Restaurants Inc., Farley’s Food, Fun and Pub). Both applications had preliminary state ABC approval and staff reported no issues; public hearings were opened and immediately closed and the council approved Resolutions 27‑004 and 27‑005.
Grants and budget carryovers: Vanessa Perez presented multiple FY27 budget adjustments tied mainly to grant carryovers and match requirements, including a $35,380 required match for a fire department grant and $48,000 for a senior nutrition kitchen remodel; council approved Resolution 27‑007.
Write‑offs: Adolfo Cardenas in Treasury presented receivable write‑offs totaling $215,082 — utilities $178,897; general billing $11,346; library $24,739 — citing New Mexico statute authorizing write‑offs for receivables older than four years. Staff noted writing off the receivable does not extinguish the debt and collection may continue; council approved Resolution 27‑009. Library staff confirmed that many library charges are long‑outstanding and described updated checkout policies and payment options.
Why it matters: the measure to increase the lease spending limit resolved a paperwork/approval gap; liquor-license approvals affect local businesses’ operations; the write‑offs adjust city accounting and potentially free administrative resources to pursue collections or alternative remedies.
Next steps: staff will provide requested breakdowns on nuisance-abatement and library write-offs upon council request and continue procurement and collections processes where appropriate.
