Las Cruces council approves $26 million library bond question for November ballot

The Las Cruces City Council voted to place a $26,000,000 general-obligation bond question on the November ballot to renovate and expand the Thomas Branigan Memorial Library. Cynthia Lamillo, the city's capital improvements program manager, told the council the bond would fund phased renovations and an expansion to increase space for children's services and a community meeting room.

Lamillo said the bond capacity was identified at $26 million and that, if approved by voters, those funds would be available in spring 2027 with construction taking approximately 18 to 24 months. "Shall the city of Las Cruces be authorized to issue general obligation bonds payable from property taxes in an amount up to $26,000,000 to acquire, plan, design, develop, construct, improve, renovate, modernize, automate, furnish, and equip the Thomas Branigan Memorial Library?" Lamillo asked the council, reading the proposed ballot question.

Supporters said the library master plan, adopted in 2024, documented the need for upgrades and that the project was positioned to reduce future operating costs through design features. Friends of the library president Linda St. Clair said the design includes energy-efficiency measures and programming changes intended to reduce operating expenses. Opponents and some residents at public comment urged vigilance on fiscal oversight and contended operating-budget cuts should not be ignored while pursuing capital spending.

Council approved the measure by roll call. The next steps are meeting county deadlines for ballot language and providing voter education ahead of the November election. If the voters approve the question, staff said construction planning and relocation options will follow so library services can continue during work.