Another taxing district? We’re already taxed for flood control
The Sierra County Commission is trying to get the question of a flood control taxing district on the Nov. 5 ballot without telling the people it is a taxing district.
Category Analyses
T or C gets good marks on 2022-2023 audit
The city kept good books and kept spending down last fiscal year, according to the audit, which recently became public. Audit results are usually released in February, about eight months after the fiscal year ends. Blame the Housing Authority for the lateness of this audit.
Citizen advisory board members speak truth to power
Shutting them out, deriding them for seeking information, limiting what they do to rubber-stamping. Want to sign up for a citizen's advisory board?
Political considerations, 5.22.24
Will it all really come down to "It's the stock market, stupid"?
City’s general obligation bond fails to launch
T or C property taxes were supposed to more than double after citizens approved $3-million in general obligation bond debt for water, wastewater and road projects at the November 2023 ballot box. The state's Taxation and Revenue Department says it never got the word.
County residents likely to vote on formation of Arroyo Flood District in November
The Sierra County Board of Commissioners passed a resolution to create an Arroyo Flood District. A petition was presented to the District Court and a hearing scheduled so that the question of forming the flood district and names of candidates for the board can be on the ballot in November.
T or C City Commission passes $44.7 million budget
The city is still very bad at reporting and communicating with the public, but it is steadily improving its management practices.
Stuff you need to know, 5.13.24
Wildfire risk is expected to be above normal for much of New Mexico this summer because of ongoing drought and a potential transition from El Niño to La Niña conditions.
Water projects report is full of holes, but better than nothing
$41.4 million in water projects given about 10 minutes and no discussion during the May 8 city commission meeting.
Political considerations, 5.10.24
Who's funding Albuquerque businessman Jeff Apodaca's new PAC, whose mission is to support pro-business moderate candidates for the New Mexico legislature?
Infrastructure Capital Improvements Plan—planning ain’t in it
Rubber-stamping is expensive. The Infrastructure Capital Improvements Plan is soon to be adopted by the city commission using its same low-information process. Is it any wonder we have infrastructure that is 60 and more years old and emergency repairs that cost twice as much as planned projects?
Stuff you need to know, 4.29.24
Recent studies finding "forever" chemicals and plutonium in New Mexico's rivers and groundwaters indicate that our water pollution problem has reached crisis proportions.