http://youtu.be/llDo_HRiex8
A handful of residents attended the first of three meetings to gather input on which community facilities should be updated using general obligation, or GO bonds.
The voter-approved bonds are paid back through property taxes to fund capital projects for things like parks, trails, swimming pools and fire stations. Las Cruces Fire Department deputy chief Jason Smith said now is the public’s chance to have their say.
“If you want to have that voice of ‘I would like to see this in my city,’ or ‘I’ve always wanted us to have this amenity,’ or ‘I see these buildings and they should be updated or moved,’ this is our chance as citizens of our community to come out, give those ideas on those projects and see if they can actually make it to ballot and then you can have the chance to vote on something you really want to see in our community,” Smith said.
New asphalt for Las Cruces International Airport is something retiree Rob Wood really wants to see. Wood is the chair of the Airport Advisory Board. He said he came to the meeting to learn more about what GO bonds are and give input regarding the airport’s needs.
"The airport has been neglected for many, many years as far as the asphalt, areas that the city’s responsible to asphalt, areas around the hangars, the roads out in front, some of the buildings are deteriorated. Just different things to clean up the airport are needed to be done that the city has neglected,” Wood said.
Wood said the cost to repair the airport’s roads is being assessed.
“A million dollars would look very nice but I think it would be more than that. We’re not asking for it all to be done. It’s a progressive situation, asphalt deteriorates over time so it’s not all going to be done at once. So, if we can just get some of it done that’s what I’m looking for if there’s money available,” Wood said.
Funding for art is an important issue for Rebecca Courtney, who chairs the City Art Board. Courtney said the board is developing a master art plan and would like to see a percentage of GO bond money included for public projects.
“Las Cruces is growing and people really want their neighborhoods to reflect their culture, their identity, their history, and we are so rich in history in Las Cruces, and so we are looking for ways to find that funding,” Courtney said.
Smith said for every $1000 worth of property value, the city collects $1 toward GO bonds, which he said totals about $10 million in bond proceeds for the city.
Courtney said that money can fund more projects like the structure debuting later this spring at the East Mesa Public Safety Complex, a fire and police station opened in 2017. Courtney said the city funded the project to show pride for its first-responders.
“And so art can do more than just be beautiful, it also identifies your city,” Courtney said.
Smith said based on the public’s input, the city will evaluate and select which projects go to a vote scheduled for August 28.
"They’ll go through it, we’ll look at what can be accomplished based on the impact to the property owner, and then those questions would go on the ballot, and that’s where the voter gets the final say of ‘I want this project,’" Smith said. "And each project will be separated so you can have multiple questions on the general obligation bonds. So, if you like one idea but you don’t like another, you can vote yes and no. It’s not a one vote for all or none.”
Attendance was low at the first meeting where city officials outnumbered residents. But those like Courtney said all citizens should make themselves heard.
“They all I know have issues in their neighborhoods and they should come and just voice them, not to be shy," Courtney said. "Or go online to the city website and put down your information, and if you can’t come, send somebody else that is not afraid to speak up, for example. It’s important."
Wood agreed residents need to speak up.
“Quit complaining and get out and talk to people and learn what’s going on," Wood said. "I mean being on an advisory board, people come to me and complain about something and they want me to take care of it, when as I tell them ‘You need to show up at the meetings’… and so there was only a handful of people here today, the public, and I just hope these meetings gather stronger support because they’re asking for our support, so let’s go out and give it to them."
Because it’s not often you can tell the city how to do its job.
The next GO bond meeting will be held Feb. 22 at the Branigan Cultural Center at 501 N. Main St. Residents can also give their input by email at gobond@las-cruces.org.
