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Questa administrator reports $53,000 shortfall after Taos County GRT cut; local tax proposal possible
Summary
Village Administrator Karen Quintana Shannon told the council the village faces a projected $53,000 shortfall after Taos County notified officials that Questa will receive 6% (not an earlier 10% estimate) of GRT for Fire/EMS; she said a local gross receipts tax increase is under consideration and would need submission by March 31 to take effect July 1.
Village Administrator Karen Quintana Shannon told the Questa Village Council on Feb. 10 that Taos County indicated the village will receive 6% of gross receipts tax (GRT) for Fire/EMS rather than an earlier estimate of 10%, creating an estimated $53,000 shortfall for the current year.
Quintana Shannon said the village will be able to cover operations this year but will need to identify a funding source for next fiscal year. She said she is looking into proposing a local gross receipts tax increase; such a change would have to be approved and submitted to the New Mexico Taxation & Revenue Department by March 31 to be enacted by July 1. The administrator said a public hearing will be scheduled to gather comment on any proposed local tax change.
In the same update, Quintana Shannon reported that two budget adjustment requests previously approved by the council have been approved by the Department of Finance and Administration and that the FY2026 second-quarter report was timely filed and is under review. She also reported roof leaks at the Youth Center that will require interior and exterior work and that she has contacted a municipal-league roof specialist for assistance.
During matters from council, Councilor Daryl J. Ortega asked about the process to place items on future agendas and requested the village attorney attend the next meeting regarding the Chevron mine cleanup. He also requested a water rate study and a report from the village court about case outcomes. Councilor Brent Jaramillo requested a timeline to complete a full revision of the planning and zoning ordinance by Dec. 31, 2026, and Councilor Jason Gonzalez requested an update from QEDF.
The council adjourned at 8:10 p.m.; councilors and staff identified follow-up tasks including scheduling a public hearing on any local GRT proposal and inviting the village attorney to the next meeting to discuss mine-cleanup matters.
