By Roger Lanse

The amount of GÇ£hold harmlessGÇ¥ reimbursements from Santa Fe to Silver City for fiscal year 2017-2018 was the subject of considerable discussion at the Tuesday, Apr. 24, meeting of the Silver City Town Council. Town Manager Alex Brown stated that because the state legislature has taken no action to define what communities can expect in the way of recompense, the town is still unsure of how to proceed in developing the FY2017-18 budget. These payments were promised to reimburse municipalities for revenue lost when Santa Fe determined gross receipts taxes would no longer be charged on food and certain other items.

Brown outlined several factors that can be adjusted to enable the town to continue providing essential services, depending on what the state does in reference to the hold harmless repayments to the town. These include raises or no raises for city employees, property tax increase or no increase, gross receipts tax increase or no increase, and service cuts or no cuts, Brown said.

GÇ£The worst case scenario, IGÇÖm looking at a whole bunch of cuts. ItGÇÖs going to be a combination of tax increases and youGÇÖre going to pay more and get less. We are getting impacted the hardest of any community in the state GÇô percentagewise,GÇ¥ Brown said.

Brown said, GÇ£This cookie-cutter approach affects some a lot more than others. For example, if there were a $1.7 million cut to Las Cruces, thatGÇÖs nothing, but when this is 18 percent of our total gross receipts compared to anybody else, thatGÇÖs a different story. And the fact is that weGÇÖre right over the 10,000 (population) limit, the number that they chose.GÇ¥ Brown then explained that municipalities under 10,000 population are exempt from GÇ¥this whole thing.GÇ¥ He stated that he would like to see the latest census figures, which have been declining, and may put Silver City below 10,000.

Mayor Ken Ladner stated that many people in town might not even know about the financial crisis the town is facing because of the reduction in the stateGÇÖs hold harmless payments. He suggested putting this before the people explaining the gravity of the situation. GÇ£If we do have to take some of these measures then we might have a population suddenly upset. If people understand the reason why, they would be a little more accepting.

Brown offered to get together with the mayor to draft a letter to legislators, particularly those who donGÇÖt represent Grant County, and the governor, to explain how reducing the hold harmless payments will be disastrous to the town. Brown also stated he will also work on a fact sheet that would be available to residents.

Angelica Boone from the Grant County Community Foundation accepted a proclamation read by Ladner proclaiming May 6. 2017, GÇ£Give Grandly! Give Local Day!GÇ¥ No one was present to accept the mayorGÇÖs proclaiming April 2017, as GÇ£Child Abuse Prevention Month in Silver City.GÇ¥
Cerise Grijalva, Transportation Planner for the Southwest New Mexico Council of Governments, with responsibility for the four counties of southwest New Mexico, advised council that she was available to assist in obtaining funds for transportation projects, to which Brown said that Grijalva had already helped the town with project funding.

District 4 Councilor Guadalupe Cano reminded residents that Western New Mexico University is hosting the 50th Annual Great Race this Saturday, Apr.29, at 11 a.m. at the Old James Stadium.

District 3 Councilor Jose Ray Jr. said that while the bike race held over the weekend was an asset to the community, one problem he noticed was that the downtown sidewalks were overly congested due to many kids and their bikes. Ray also reported that local motels and hotels rented about 135 rooms to bicyclists over the weekend for the Tour of the Gila. He also asked Brown to look into the possibility of putting parking meters downtown, to which Brown consented.

District 2 Councilor Lynda Aiman-Smith encouraged residents to volunteer for town committees, commissions and local events.

Ladner also encouraged residents to volunteer, specifically for the Incentive Review Committee, which looks at ways to attract businesses to Silver City. He also related how the new wireless water meters located a massive water leak, that he was unaware of, in a guest house he owns that is presently unoccupied. Brown stated that the new system catches, on average, about 600 water leaks each month.

Anthony Quintana, owner of QGÇÖs Southern Bistro, came before council seeking approval for a public celebration permit application for a Kneeling Nun Bike Run on May 26, from 4-11 p.m. and on May 27, from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. He said he expects about 200 bicyclists and 10 classic cars to be on and around QGÇÖs property. Council approved the application.

Brown announced that staff was recommending the sale of water meters to Daniel Miller Global Industries of Houston, TX for $28,648.60. Council approved the sale.

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