LAS CRUCES — The Las Cruces City Council on Monday approved three resolutions and three ordinances during its May 4 regular meeting, advancing funding for health services, housing, opioid‑settlement oversight and industrial development.
Councilors voted 7–0 to authorize a contract with Pivot Evaluation, LLC of Albuquerque to provide independent evaluation and reporting for programs funded by nearly $10 million in opioid settlement money the City and Doña Ana County will receive through 2038. The funds, tied to national and state settlements with opioid manufacturers, distributors and retailers, will support treatment and prevention programs. Pivot’s contract, valued at up to $147,253, runs through Nov. 30, 2029.
In a separate action, the council awarded grants from the City’s Health Care Fund to 18 nonprofit organizations. The program, created last August, allocates up to $600,000 annually to nonprofits that provide qualified health and supportive services to sick, indigent and low‑income residents. The resolution passed 4–2, with Mayor Eric Enriquez, Mayor Pro Tem John Muñoz and Councilors Johana Bencomo and Michael Harris voting in favor. Councilors Cassie McClure and Bill Mattiace voted against it. Councilor Becky Corran recused herself because she serves on the board of one of the recipient organizations.
Each nonprofit will receive a $33,333 grant. Awardees include Amador Health Center; Big Brothers Big Sisters of Las Cruces; Boys and Girls Club of Las Cruces; Casa de Peregrinos; Catholic Charities of Southern New Mexico; Community Action Agency; El Caldito Soup Kitchen; El Calvario United Methodist Church; Families & Youth Inc.; Jardin de los Niños; La Casa, Inc.; La Piñon Sexual Assault Recovery Services; Lutheran Family Services; Mesilla Valley CASA; Mesilla Valley Community of Hope; New Mexico Legal Aid; Roadrunner Food Bank; and Southern New Mexico Diabetes Outreach.
Councilors also voted 7–0 to adopt the City’s 2026–2030 Consolidated Plan, the Analysis of Impediments to Fair Housing Choice, and the 2026 Action Plan required for participation in the federal Community Development Block Grant and HOME Investment Partnerships programs. The five‑year plan outlines community development and affordable housing needs, while the impediments analysis reviews local policies, economic conditions, housing patterns and potential barriers to fair housing. The documents were informed by stakeholder interviews, surveys, public meetings, a council work session, four public hearings and a 30‑day comment period.
The 2026 Action Plan allocates nearly $2.2 million in federal funds for home rehabilitation, playground renovation, weatherization, land acquisition, home construction, rental assistance, food banks, homelessness services, domestic‑violence support and programs for abused and neglected children. Funding recipients include Jardin de los Niños; Abode Inc.; Casa de Peregrinos; Mesilla Valley Community of Hope; Mesilla Valley CASA; Mesilla Valley Habitat for Humanity; La Casa, Inc.; and Tierra del Sol Housing Corp.
Council also approved three real estate ordinances. One authorizes the sale of about 15.3 acres in the Las Cruces Innovation and Industrial Park to CLS Development Partners, LLC for $573,792. The developer plans to build roughly 150,000 square feet of speculative warehouse space with an estimated $12.2 million capital investment. The other ordinances donate a vacant City‑owned parcel at 705 N. 5th St. to New Mexico Wind Inc., doing business as Crosstown Ministries, for affordable housing, and convey four City‑owned parcels on N. Tornillo Street and Campo Street to Tierra del Sol Housing Corp. for additional affordable housing development.
All City Council meetings are available for viewing on the City’s YouTube channel.
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By John Krehbiel — Bravo Mic Communications — john@bravomic.com
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