Board of County Commissioners Work Session - November 3, 2026

The Doña Ana County Board of County Commissioners held a work session on November 3, 2026. The main procurement and funding discussion concerned a $10 million allocation from Project Jupiter’s $50 million water and wastewater improvement commitment, designated for partners in southern Doña Ana County. Commissioners discussed criteria for evaluating projects, including urgency and water quality, households served per dollar, infrastructure impact, readiness and timeline, matching funds, and equitable consideration of different types of water systems. No awards were approved at the session; management was directed to develop project recommendations, with a proposed $3 million for Sunland Park’s three water tanks to be brought forward for consideration on November 10 and other projects for a later meeting. Staff cited additional needs, including roughly $2.8 million for a Sunland Park waterline project and about $20 million to complete Chaparral wastewater improvements.

The board supported obtaining external employment-law advice, coordinated with the county legal department and potentially reviewed by the Attorney General’s Office, on merit-system and sheriff commissioning authority; management will arrange a contract and return with guidance. Economic Development reviewed existing service contracts, including those with Wilson and Company, Moveda, and Film Las Cruces, and a newly approved Cruces Creatives contract for the Renaissance Fair; commissioners discussed developing measurable criteria and community-benefit expectations for future industrial revenue bonds and incentives, but made no policy decision. Proposed HR updates included broader educational assistance—up to six courses annually, averaging about $1,200 per course—and other policy revisions. The only recorded vote was unanimous approval to enter closed session; no new procurement awards were made.