Las Cruces City Council Meeting – March 16, 2026

The Las Cruces City Council met on Monday, March 16, 2026, at approximately 1:00 PM, with Mayor Eric Enriquez presiding. The meeting included departmental highlights, public testimony on a wide range of issues, unanimous approval of six tax increment financing resolutions, board appointments, and council member reports. Key topics included the city's progress on nuisance abatement, the use of gross receipts tax (GRT) revenue, and public controversy over the mayor's participation in a March for Life event.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Kathy Stark (Animal Advocates for Change) thanked participants in the Billy and Nanny animal cruelty case, noting the defendant received an 18-month sentence, one year probation, anger management, and a $5,000 fine. She also called for action against persons torturing cats in the South Main area.
• Lynn Moore urged full compliance with the Lead and Copper Rule Improvements, alleging that city staff have misrepresented facts and that an independent engineer is needed to address water infrastructure issues.
• Liz Rodriguez Johnson presented data showing that the city's utility department has classified high-value properties (up to $1 million) as “disadvantaged” for funding purposes, arguing that lower-income properties should be prioritized for lead pipe replacement.
• Doreen White claimed she has been implanted with cameras and chips and is suffering from radiation, requesting a restraining order and alleging violations of her constitutional rights.
• Barbara Corral read an Albuquerque Journal article criticizing Memorial Medical Center (MMC) for lack of transparency in financial assistance and for allegedly denying care to cancer patients who could not pay upfront.
• Lori English publicly apologized to the mayor for a Facebook comment, then described taking a U.S. flag from a group of homeless people whom she said were using it as a mat. She stated she would surrender the flag to the American Legion for proper disposal.
• Yoli Diaz criticized MMC for failing to screen a 76-year-old cancer patient for indigency, and also criticized Mayor Enriquez for speaking at a March for Life rally, arguing the event aimed to stop construction of a women's health center and that the mayor's use of his office was inappropriate.
• Jim Hurst called for the mayor's resignation, stating that the mayor's participation in the March for Life rally signaled support for an economic boycott against contractors for the women's health center, creating a conflict of interest.
• Leslie Woods echoed the call for resignation, arguing the mayor used his office to support an economic boycott without council approval and attempted to suppress counter-protesters.
• Multiple speakers (including Indira Kastner, Spencer Taylor, Jeremy Armstrong, Donna Stryker, and others) addressed the allocation of GRT funds. Some criticized the council for adding police training and road expansion projects that were not prioritized in community input, while others supported funding for public safety and parks. A number of speakers advocated for building a new regional skate park, noting that the existing skate park at Sonoma Springs is insufficient and that the old park at Walnut has been closed for over two years.
• Fred Miller countered Lori English's flag story, stating that flag code is not law and that taking the flag was theft; he emphasized that the flag represents the right to dissent.
• Cass Heila Berry and Bryce Sowards (skateboarders) urged the council to allocate $2 million for a large regional skate park and smaller neighborhood parks, citing the positive impact on youth and reduction in juvenile crime.
• Christine Casillas (Mesilla Valley Balloon Rally) reported that attendance tripled to over 19,500 in 2025 and that the event may need a larger venue due to growth.

Discussion Items

• Departmental Highlights: Carol Bray (Quality of Life) reported on the opening of a 4,500-square-foot addition to the Munson Center (soft-opened in January, with over 1,000 users), participation in Read Across America (over 200 attendees), free tax assistance (nearly 400 returns prepared), the Chalk Walk event (over 1,000 attendees), and new public art installations funded by general obligation bonds. Museum attendance in February 2026 was 10,000 compared to 6,500 in February 2025. Jimmy Moreno (Public Works) presented the Cortez Road Reconstruction Project (nearly one mile, $6.1 million, including green infrastructure, bike lanes, sidewalks, and street lighting). Chris Favor (Community Development) updated the council on the Nuisance Abatement Team (NAT): 166 identified properties, 21 condemned, $151,000 in liens to be pursued, and plans for a vacant and abandoned property ordinance (work session in June, potential adoption in July). Two success stories were highlighted (195 Hoagland and 640 San Pedro).
• Pets of the Week: Carol Nelson introduced Dobber (dog) and Luna (cat), and noted long-term residents including Farah (362 days).
• Tax Increment Financing (TIFF) Resolutions (Items 7.1–7.6): Blair Flotas (Economic Development) presented six resolutions to establish baselines for Metropolitan Redevelopment Areas (MRAs) and, for two adopted MRAs (El Paseo/South Solano and West Picacho/Motel Boulevard), to designate up to 75% of the tax increment for 20 years. Baselines were set based on average monthly GRT collections provided by the New Mexico Tax and Revenue Department. Council members discussed the timing and impact of setting baselines now versus later, and confirmed that lower baselines are advantageous. All six resolutions were approved unanimously.
• Board Appointments: The council approved reappointments to the Planning and Zoning Commission, Library Board, Airport Board, and Transit Board, as well as new appointments to the Airport Board (Michael Masucci, David Moffitt, Paul Nielsen).
• Council Member Reports: Councilors discussed a potential gun violence prevention program (with $83,000 from CYFD and a possible $100,000 match), concerns about cat killings in the Francos/Papin area, support for the Ocotillo Sexual and Reproductive Health Center, and a request for public education on capital improvement projects. Councilor Bencomo also raised concerns about a cost allocation audit between the city and Las Cruces Utilities, and urged that the city fully fund the Griggs and Walnut groundwater plume Superfund site.

Key Outcomes

• Unanimous approval of all six TIFF resolutions (26-114 through 26-119) to establish baselines and designate up to 75% of tax increment for 20 years for the El Paseo/South Solano and West Picacho/Motel Boulevard MRAs, and to set baselines for four other MRAs (Apadaca/Lift Up, East of Solano, Mesquite, Amador Proximo and South).
• Unanimous approval of board appointments: Scott Kaiser, Janet Acosta, Kent Thurston (Planning and Zoning), Jessica Streeter (Library Board), Michael Masucci, David Moffitt, Paul Nielsen (new Airport Board members), Wesley Baker (reappointment, Airport Board), Kelly Brooks and Michelle Carbajal (reappointments, Transit Board).
• Notices of proposed ordinances were read for Council Bill 26-017 (amending procurement code) and Council Bill 26-018 (authorizing sale of city bonds).
• The council indicated support for exploring a gun violence prevention program and for a fiscal year 2027 budget allocation for a regional skate park.