Board of County Commissioners Special Meeting - October 6, 2026

At a Doña Ana County Board of County Commissioners special meeting on October 6, 2026, commissioners unanimously approved Resolution 2026-128 declaring a local disaster related to September flooding. The declaration enables the county to request state and federal disaster declarations and financial assistance, pursue reimbursement for county and other jurisdictional damage, access emergency funds and procurement procedures, and consider waiving certain resident fees. The county’s initial damage estimate was approximately $17 million, with assessments still underway. The resolution authorizes $286,650.36 for disaster recovery, including support for public assistance. The emergency manager also proposed reallocating about $199,000 remaining in a prior disaster housing fund, under the same criteria, and allocating $150,000 from the general fund for disaster case management and long-term recovery support.

Discussion covered damage to roads, flood-control and wastewater infrastructure, private access roads, and residents’ properties, as well as the challenges of securing assistance for private property and infrastructure. Commissioners and speakers urged comprehensive damage assessments and coordination with FEMA, state agencies, conservation districts, and other partners; they also discussed longer-term watershed and infrastructure improvements. No specific contract award or vendor selection was identified, though the county noted that emergency procurement may be available under the declaration.