Two Ordinances, one authorizing the issuance and sale of $17 million in City of Las Cruces General Obligation Bonds, Series 2023, and another authorizing the sale not to exceed $12,150,000 in State Shared Gross Receipts Tax Improvement Revenue Bonds, Series 2023, were approved by the Las Cruces City Council during its Tuesday, Feb. 21, 2023, meeting in Council Chambers at City Hall, 700 N. Main St.
The Ordinance to issue and sell $17 million of General Obligation Improvement Bonds will be paid from ad valorem taxes levied on all taxable property within the city. Registered City voters approved four GO Bond questions, totaling $23 million, in the Nov. 8, 2022, municipal elections The four GO Bond questions included:
- Shall the City of Las Cruces issue general obligation bonds, payable from property taxes, in an amount of as much as $10 million to acquire, plan, design, construct, and equip a new fire station facility to be built north of U.S. Highway 70 and east of Interstate 25, including acquisition of necessary land?
- Shall the City of Las Cruces issue general obligation bonds, payable from property taxes, in an amount of as much as $5 million to acquire, plan, design, construct, and equip the regional community recreation facility know as East Mesa Public Recreation Complex, including acquisition of necessary land?
- Shall the City of Las Cruces issue general obligation bonds, payable from property taxes, in an amount of as much as $6 million, and placed into the Affordable Housing Trust Fund, to provide resources to plan, design, construct, acquire, and preserve housing affordable for low to moderate income households, including acquisition of necessary land?
- Shall the City of Las Cruces issue general obligation bonds, payable from property taxes, in an amount of as much as $2 million to renovate and improve existing parks and recreational facilities?
This first installation of GO Bond sales will provide $17 million in proceeds that will be used to construct the new fire station, continue phased construction of the East Mesa Public Recreation Complex, and pay for renovations and improvements to existing parks and recreational facilities. Two percent of the GO Bond proceeds will be allocated for public art.
Information about the 2022 GO Bond election is available at www.lascruces.gov/2547/2022-GO-Bond.
The Ordinance adopting the issuance and sale of City of Las Cruces, New Mexico State Shared Gross Receipts Tax Improvement Revenue Bonds, Series 2023, will be used for the construction, purchase, acquisition, and improvement of roadways and public facilities projects.
Additionally, at Tuesday’s meeting, the Council also adopted an Ordinance that amends the City’s Procurement Code. The City's Purchasing Program recommended the changes that should improve and facilitate the procurement process for City staff and vendors by being more responsive and easier to use.
The purpose of the Procurement Code is to maximize the purchasing value of public funds and to provide safeguards for maintaining a procurement system of quality and integrity. The last comprehensive update of the Procurement Code was approved by City Council in June 2021.
The changes consist of, but are not limited to, format changes to the Procurement Code that add and clarify definitions, revise authorized exemptions, and increase the threshold for competitive public procurement.