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Jemez Springs Council approves budget adjustments, endorses Soda Dam stewardship and adopts police abuse policy
Summary
The Village Council on Feb. 17 approved a $248,700 budget adjustment to incorporate three grants, passed a resolution urging improved management and co‑stewardship options for Soda Dam, and adopted two sections of the police department's abuse policy; all votes carried unanimously as recorded.
The Jemez Springs Village Council approved several measures at its Feb. 17 meeting, including a budget adjustment that adds $248,700 in grant funding, a resolution supporting new management options for Soda Dam and approval of police department policy sections on child and adult abuse.
Finance Director Consultant Jim Cox presented Resolution 2026‑005, the council's second budget adjustment of the fiscal year, to add three executed grant awards into the Village budget: $20,000 for HVAC improvements at the library, $130,000 for library renovations and $100,000 to purchase and equip a tractor. Trustee Bob Wilson moved to accept the resolution and Trustee James McCue seconded; Trustees Victoria Martinez, James McCue and Bob Wilson voted aye on the roll call and the resolution was approved.
The council also read and approved Resolution 2026‑006, which endorses a public‑review process and supports “new and improved management” of Soda Dam. The resolution lists options that may include transferring responsibility to the National Park Service or New Mexico State Historic Sites, or retaining management with the U.S. Forest Service but with renewed commitment and funding, and calls for including Jemez Pueblo in a co‑stewardship role. Dr. Tom Swetnam told the council that Senator Heinrich’s staff and the Forest Service have signaled interest in improved management but highlighted the need for funding for parking, road work and a trail with bridges. Trustee Bob Wilson moved the resolution; Trustee Victoria Martinez seconded and the motion carried by roll call vote.
Trustee Bob Wilson moved and Trustee James McCue seconded approval of the Jemez Springs Police Department policy sections on child abuse and adult abuse. The minutes record that the motion carried on a roll call vote. The minutes also note a transcript inconsistency in one roll‑call entry (a recorded “Trustee Sanchez” is listed among the ayes), which appears to be a clerical or transcription error; the council’s roll call otherwise reflects the trustees present.
At the Lodgers’ Tax Board meeting held during the Finance Board session, the council approved two recommended expenditures: $1,125 for website improvements by Cat Mesa Technology (the minutes corrected a transposed digit) and $5,000 to buy an 8×20 storage container for the Community Park. Trustee James McCue moved to approve both expenditures, Trustee Victoria Martinez seconded; the motion carried unanimously.
What happens next: Mayor Nealeigh said the signed Soda Dam resolution will be sent to the congressional and state legislative delegations and the U.S. Forest Service. Council members did not schedule additional action on the budget adjustment beyond the approved amendment.
Votes at a glance: - Resolution 2026‑005 (budget adjustment): Motion by Trustee Bob Wilson; seconded by Trustee James McCue; recorded ayes: Trustees Martinez, McCue, Wilson; outcome: approved. - Resolution 2026‑006 (Soda Dam management): Motion by Trustee Bob Wilson; seconded by Trustee Victoria Martinez; recorded ayes: motion carried; outcome: approved. - Police policy sections (child/adult abuse): Motion by Trustee Bob Wilson; seconded by Trustee James McCue; roll call vote recorded as aye and motion carried.
The council adjourned at 7:28 p.m.
