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Government

Regular Board of County Commissioners Meeting Continued Due to Technical Difficulties

The Santa Fe County Board of County Commissioners was forced to continue its regularly scheduled meeting on Tuesday, April 9, 2024, due to technical difficulties that would have hindered public participation. As reported, the continuation was necessary to ensure that members of the public who had planned to participate remotely would not be excluded.In a statement, the Board announced that the meeting will resume on Monday, April 15, 2024, at 2:00 p.m. The Continued Meeting is set to take place in the Commission Chambers at 102 Grant Avenue Santa Fe NM. Those interested...


Government

Santa Fe County to Host Earth Day Celebration at Hondo Fire Station #1

Santa Fe, NM- Santa Fe County is excited to announce its annual Earth Day celebration scheduled for Saturday, April 20, 2024, at the Hondo Fire Station #1 from 9am-12pm in support of the global Earth Day proclamation adopted by the Board of County Commissioners."As part of our commitment to environmental stewardship, Santa Fe County will unveil a new rain garden at the Hondo Fire Station #1," said Santa Fe County. This green stormwater infrastructure (GSI) feature is designed to enhance local climate resilience by mitigating the impacts of droughts and flooding. The rain...


Government

Commissioner Hughes and Commissioner Greene to Introduce a Proclamation Declaring NM Electoral Excellence Day

Commissioner Hank Hughes and Commissioner Justin Greene are set to introduce a proclamation declaring April 11th as "New Mexico Electoral Excellence Day." The proclamation aims to recognize the efforts of the Secretary of State and the Santa Fe County Clerk’s Office in enhancing the fairness, efficiency, and transparency of elections, vital components of the democratic process.According to the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) Elections Performance Index (EPI), New Mexico achieved the remarkable position of #1 in the 2022 EPI with an index score of 88%. This...


Government

Santa Fe County Water Policy Advisory Committee Seeks Members

The Santa Fe County Water Policy Advisory Committee (WPAC) is actively seeking County residents to join its ranks, as reported on April 5, 2024. The committee plays a crucial role in advising the Board of County Commissioners on various water-related issues in the County and region.According to the announcement, the WPAC is looking for individuals with a diverse range of expertise and experience to ensure a well-rounded representation. As stated by the County, the committee's primary responsibilities include providing recommendations on sustainable utility services,...


Government

New Mexico Mission of Mercy Free Dental Clinic Seeking Patients April 26-27

The New Mexico Mission of Mercy (NM MOM) is seeking patients for the state’s largest charity event, April 26-27, 2024, in Santa Fe. "Dental volunteers will provide basic care such as fillings, extractions, cleanings, and limited root canals. All patients will receive preventive dental education and instructions on how to properly maintain their oral health," said a spokesperson for NM MOM.The event, hosted at the Santa Fe Community Convention Center, aims to treat those in need of free, first-come, first-served basic care. Patients do not need to make appointments, as all...


Government

Free Professional Readiness Training Offered by SFCC to Boost Careers

SANTA FE, NM – Santa Fe Community College (SFCC) in collaboration with the New Mexico Department of Workforce Connections is providing an opportunity for individuals to enhance their careers through the Professional Readiness and Technical Experience for Careers (PROTEC) 21st Century Skills Training program.Applications for the program are now open, with a deadline set for May 1, 2024. Successful applicants will have the chance to earn MicroCredentials in Google, Microsoft, and Apple applications. According to SFCC, the program will kick off on June 4 and will include...


Government

Fire Rescue Academy 4 Graduates 17 Firefighters

Doña Ana County Fire Rescue is set to honor the graduation of 17 firefighters who have successfully completed the rigorous requirements to become certified firefighters. The ceremony will take place at 1 p.m. on Friday, April 5 at the Doña Ana Community College, East Mesa Campus Auditorium in Las Cruces, welcoming members of the public to join in the celebration.According to the International Fire Service Accreditation Congress, each graduate has satisfactorily finished a 16-week-long Fire Academy course, earning them certification from the prestigious organization. These...


Government

County Assessor’s Office Sends Valuation Notices and Sets Up Outreach Locations

The County Assessor’s Office has taken steps to inform property owners of their property values and tax obligations. According to the office, property owners have until May 1 to protest the values listed in the Notice of Value that was sent out on April 1. County Assessor Eugenia “Gina” Montoya Ortega provided details on the protest process, stating that protests must be submitted in writing to the office's address in Las Cruces, NM.In addition to protesting property values, taxpayers have the opportunity to apply for various exemptions. These exemptions include cases...


Government

Las Cruces Water Conservation Announces Lush and Lean Spring 2 Program Schedule

The City of Las Cruces Water Conservation has revealed the schedule for the 2024 Spring 2 Lush and Lean Program. The program offers free workshops on select Thursdays in April and May aimed at promoting water conservation and sustainable gardening practices.The workshops will take place at the Branigan Memorial Library Roadrunner Room, located at 200 E. Picacho Avenue, starting at 5:45 p.m. The schedule includes a variety of topics presented by experts in the field.Marisa Thompson, Ph.D., Extension Urban Horticulture Specialist at NMSU, will kick off the series on April...


Government

Safe Ride Option Offered to Santa Fe County Residents During Easter Weekend Celebrations

Santa Fe, NM - In a collaborative effort, various organizations have come together to provide Santa Fe County residents with a safe ride option during the upcoming Good Friday-Easter celebrations in 2024.The program, named "Take A Ride on Us," aims to discourage driving under the influence by offering residents a convenient alternative. Residents can avail themselves of this service from 10 am on March 29th through 2 am on April 1st by using a special code on the Uber app."Take A Ride on Us” empowers Santa Fe County residents with the choice to take a safe ride option...


Government

Santa Fe County Assessor Extends Notice of Valuation Deadline and Enhances Services for Residents

Santa Fe, NM- The Office of the Santa Fe County Assessor has extended the official mail-out of Notice of Valuation (NOV) for all County residents to May 1, 2024. This extension was granted by the Property Tax Division (PTD) in response to significant improvements and changes made to the NOV process, aligning it with statewide standards and enhancing service to constituents.The Assessor's office has also implemented several key initiatives to improve services, including the valuation of short-term rentals, in-office workflows, and enhancements to its website for better...


Government

EL Rancho Senior Center to Temporarily Close for Facility Upgrades

Santa Fe, NM- Effective April 1, 2024, the Santa Fe County Senior Services Division will temporarily close the El Rancho Senior Center to commence Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) facility upgrades. These renovations are aimed at enhancing the center's facilities to better serve the needs of our senior citizens."The indoor upgrades will be completed over a short duration of 7 weeks, after which seniors can return to the facility while outdoor improvements are finalized."To ensure the safety of our seniors and minimize disruptions to services, grab and go meals for...


Government

Small Businesses Can Apply for Storefront Repair Grants Through New Program

The Small Business Storefront Repair Program has recently been launched, offering small businesses the opportunity to apply for up to $2,500 in grant funding to assist with repairing storefront property damages. The funds are specifically designated for damages that occurred on or after January 1, 2021, providing support for businesses to address both current and past damages out of pocket. Applications are now open for businesses that have been operational since May 11, 2023.ABC Printing on Main Street is among the businesses that have already benefited from this...


Government

Doña Ana County Administrative Offices to Close on March 29 for Spring Holiday

Doña Ana County has announced that its administrative offices will be closed on Friday, March 29, for the Spring Holiday. The closure is to thank employees for their dedication and service to the residents of the county throughout the year.In a statement, the county stated, "County administrative offices will be closed for Spring Holiday, Friday Mar. 29 to thank employees for their service and commitment to the residents of Doña Ana County, year-round."While the administrative offices will be closed, first responders for emergencies, such as fire and law enforcement, as...


Government

Santa Fe County Encourages Residents to Join Great American Cleanup

Santa Fe, NM- The Santa Fe County Public Works Department and the Sustainability Office, in collaboration with Keep Santa Fe Beautiful (KSFB) for the national Great American Clean Up, have announced a free trash drop-off opportunity for County residents. The event is scheduled to take place on Saturday, April 13th from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. at all County Convenience centers.According to the announcement, the Great American Cleanup is a significant community improvement program aimed at ending littering, enhancing recycling efforts, and beautifying communities throughout...


Government

Santa Fe County Adjusts Nambe Convenience Center Schedule to Enhance Service Accessibility

Santa Fe County Public Works has announced changes to the operating hours of the Nambe Convenience Center, effective April 6, 2024. The convenience center, located in Santa Fe, New Mexico, will now be open on Tuesday, Friday, and Saturday from 8 am to 5 pm. This adjustment aims to improve access to solid waste services for residents during weekends.In a statement released on March 20, 2024, Santa Fe County Public Works expressed their dedication to the community, stating, "Santa Fe County is committed to providing reliable and sustainable waste management services to the...


Government

Santa Fe County Issues Peregrino Preparedness for Annual Santuario de Chimayó Pilgrimage

The Santa Fe County Fire Department, Santa Fe County Office of Emergency Management, and the Santa Fe County Sheriff’s Office have come together to ensure the safety and coordination of support for the annual Good Friday Pilgrimage to the Santuario de Chimayó. This pilgrimage, which draws over 300,000 pilgrims annually, is a significant event for those seeking spiritual renewal and healing.In preparation for the pilgrimage scheduled for Friday, March 29, 2024, Santa Fe County has collaborated with 29 participating agencies to guarantee public safety along the pilgrimage...


Government

Santa Fe County to Host Virtual Community Meeting on FY 2026-2030 Infrastructure Capital Improvement Plan (ICIP)

Santa Fe County is set to host a virtual community meeting on the FY 2026-2030 Infrastructure Capital Improvement Plan (ICIP) on Wednesday, April 3, 2024, from 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. The meeting aims to provide community members the opportunity to submit capital project requests and gain insights into the prioritization of essential projects for the future development of Santa Fe County.According to the announcement, all proposed projects, including public infrastructure like roads and facilities, will undergo meticulous review as part of the County's comprehensive...


Government

38 Candidates file for the 2024 Primary Election on Filing Day

A total of 38 major-party candidates have submitted their declarations to run for their respective offices for the 2024 Primary Election in Doña Ana County. The filing took place on Tuesday, March 12, at the Doña Ana County Government Center, as mandated by NM Stat 1-8-26.The candidates who filed included individuals running for non-federal, statewide, and countywide positions such as State Senator, State Representative, District Attorney, Magistrate Court Judge, County Clerk, County Treasurer, and County Commissioner. Candidates running for Federal offices had filed...


Government

Santa Fe County Planning Commission Seeks Members from District 5

The Santa Fe County Growth Management Department in Santa Fe, New Mexico, is currently seeking interested members of the general public from Commission District 5 to serve on the Planning Commission for the remainder of a current term beginning in April of 2024 and ending in January of 2025.Commission Members are responsible for attending monthly public hearings on the 3rd Thursday of every month. According to the announcement, Planning Commission members listen to County staff recommendations, project application presentations, and testimony from the public. The Planning...