Category Analyses

The biggest budget the city has ever passed, a final budget massively different from the draft budget, and yet no questions and no discussion from city commissioners.

In the 17 years I've watched the Truth or Consequences Planning and Zoning Commission, there has only been one set of board members who upheld the law and fulfilled their duty to act as a check and balance on city administrators and the city commission.

The ICIP yearly update is required by the state to ensure the city is planning and prioritizing infrastructure projects at least five years ahead. It's supposed to be a continual and transparent process, informing the community and city commission about why projects are needed and in what order.

Other cities fund their government services with taxes and use utility fees to operate, maintain and replace that utility's infrastructure. Not T or C. Now the infrastructure is failing. The solution? Raise taxes.

The Truth or Consequences City Commission interviewed three of five candidates interested in serving as planning and zoning commissioners during the June 22 city commission meeting. From the questions asked and answers given, it is clear that being pro-development and doing the city commissioners' bidding are key requirements.