Rate increases require more explanation than “we need more money for the money pit”
Are you alarmed by rate increases in your city bill? Wait until you see the new ones proposed.
Category Analyses
USDA bridge-loan requirement siphons off T or C’s construction money and adds financing costs
Different government agencies' grants/loans come with different requirements and costs/rewards that the city commission doesn't consider--at least not in public--which is the only place that counts.
Police building renovation short of funds for completion, city looking for grants
A grant application for the parking lot renovation and solar-panel-covered parking canopy has been submitted, but more money is needed for the interior renovation.
No Kings protest should be aimed at local government
T or C Mayor Rolf Hechler claimed it was morally if not legally right to break a law and he'd do it again in response to a pending ruling from the court. The divine right of kings is resurgent for this local leader voted in three times so far.
Fear and favor applied to strays in new animal control ordinance
The larger issue is the city commission's disregard for the democratic principal of equality under the law.
T or C’s electric facility in fairly good shape, but “redundancy” needed
The city's electric system was milked of its excess cash for many years, but proved to be better maintained than the water and wastewater systems, a recent study showed.
What you need to know, March 4, 2024: Water in Sierra County
I link to an article by two very long-term observers of water in New Mexico. They are factual, detailed, informed, careful, persistent, intelligent, public-minded people not motivated by private interests, money, power, or any ideology except public service. You need to hear what they say about your water.
T or C has $70M in funded capital projects–more than Las Cruces’ $53M
In addressing many years of neglect of its infrastructure, the City of Truth or Consequences is faced with a herculean task not unlike building the pyramids. The capital projects pipeline is long, with big projects taking five years or so to fund, design, bid and build. Of course the people’s…
Talking sh*t—T or C gives Talon Septic 30 year lease
Talon Septic, owned by Mark Shipley, has a discharge permit to dispose of 600 gallons a day of "domestic septage" on city land at the municipal airport, which the NMED will re-permit every five years. The city's 30-year lease will also be reviewed every five years.
Could a bunch of 700 square-foot houses crammed three feet apart be coming to your R-3 neighborhood?
Where land use and government authority collide, especially if its an infill development that shakes up an existing neighborhood, sparks fly. It's hard to fight city hall on your own, but Diane Gunning is giving it a try.
Water/wastewater study is scary and confusing
The city's neglect of our water and wastewater systems is resulting in exponentially increasing rate fees. The study doesn't explicitly quantify emergency repair costs, which may be what is precipitating even higher fees. Rates have risen each year but they are about to go supersonic.
City Commission’s goals for City Manager Whitehead show their unfitness to evaluate him
Truth or Consequences City Manager Gary Whitehead has been doing a stellar job. If city commissioners gave him a "satisfactory" on his yearly evaluation, it shows how little they know about government.