Dona Ana County's lawyers say its hands are tied regarding requests to put street signs along private roads, a situation that some officials say could mean emergency responders can't quickly find homes where residents need help.
The Las Cruces Sun-News reports that the county Commission recently approved a proposal to allow county signs on private roads but later retracted the action because of questions about implementation.
County Attorney John Caldwell says providing signs on private roads would run afoul of a state constitutional provision that generally prohibits government entities from making donations to individuals.
County Manager Julia Brown also says putting county-owned signs on private roads would add to the county's financial costs. She says the county doesn't have enough funding for the signs that already are its responsibility.
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