This MOU is too ad hoc, too open-ended, too unpredictable to ensure consistent zoning for new development just outside the city. State law gives T or C extraterritorial zoning authority. I say the city should exercise it, instead of passing this less effective measure.
Zach De Gregorio filed a whistleblower and other complaints about four and a half years ago, which will soon go to a jury trial in October. He named the State of New Mexico, previous-State Auditor Brian Colon and the Spaceport Authority as defendants. Colon extricated himself via summary judgement.
I predicted the City of T or C's collection center would be used to bilk citizens out of money instead of serving their interests, and that has certainly come to pass. I didn't foresee that T or C polycart customers would be exploited to pay for Elephant Butte's polycart customers.
Only the airport went over budget. The general fund is traditionally budgeted to spend more than it takes in, but the hole was partially covered by about $418,000 more in gross-receipts-tax revenue than expected.
Nearly $84 million budget for a town with a population of 6,000 is a testament to infrastructure neglect and rising costs.
It's amazing how little money the city is spending on making the prior PNC Bank into a police building. That is largely thanks to City Manager Gary Whitehead, who digs out the best price using the design-build procurement method.
It must be tough and expensive to go up against the City of Truth or Consequences with its team of lawyers supplied by the New Mexico Municipal League's self-insurers fund, the city's insurer. Barnes settled for $45,000 and the city admitted no wrongdoing.
I wrongly assumed T or C had about 1,000 acre feet a year to parlay to attract development. The state lost a decade-long lawsuit to Texas and the city's unused water rights could be reclaimed, especially since it's wasting up to 47 percent of its water due to infrastructure neglect.
The closure of the Hot Springs Basin three years ago has made Mark Twain's words even more applicable: "Whiskey is for drinking, water is for fighting over." The city is not using about 1,000 acre feet a year of its water rights, making it a heavy weight.
Can the village afford to take on so many capital projects? My analysis says "no," but the budget documents provided are scant.
Residents approved $3 million in general obligation bonds in November 2022 that resulted in a new property tax of 3.50 mills. According to the city's website, interest and other charges will add $550,000 or 18.33 percent "interest." That's an expensive way to borrow, if correct.
Looks like the public is supporting a 21 year-old spaceport and still hoping it will reach adulthood, although it will likely take another 20 years to gain self-sufficiency, if ever. Does the public want to pay for a 41-year gestation period?