GRANTS, NM – The City of Grants held a Special City Council Meeting on July 20, at 12 p.m. The meeting included a FY24 Budget Workshop, and FY24 Funding Considerations from the Cibola Arts Council, Cibola Communities Economic Development Foundation, Grants Community Pantry and a few others.
The Meeting began with a public hearing regarding the FY24 Budget Workshop Roundtable which included a presentation from city Finance Director Victor Villalobos. The presentation began with a slide on fiscal responsibility. Following this it goes into changes made between the interim and final budget. The changes include updated cash balances, general fund changes, fire protection fund changes, law enforcement protection fund changes, capital outlay fund changes, and capital projects fund changes. The final slides were on budget priorities that includes, salary increases for City of Grants personnel, additional staff being added, PERA/Health contribution increases, street fund, lodger’s tax fund, and multiple capital projects. During this part of the presentation, it was also said that it was the first month that the gross distribution exceeded a million dollars.
After the public hearing, the council went forward with the agenda and discussions began regarding FY 24 funding considerations. The first to go before the council with their presentation was the Cibola Arts Council, Director Brian Johnson made the presentation.
The arts council is requesting $33,849.60 as one option which does not include the rent and utilities and $47,564.60 as a second option which will give them a break from rent and utilities. The next to present was the Cibola Communities Economic Development Foundation, Executive Director Eileen Yarborough made the presentation. The CCEDF is requesting that the council restore funding from the $25,000 that they received last year to $64,000 annually which the CCEDF used to receive.
The next presentation for funding consideration was the Community Pantry, Executive Director/ CEO of the Community Pantry Alice Perez made the presentation. The Community Pantry is requesting $25,000 which is 15 thousand more than what they received last year. The funding received would be used towards the purchase of food only. Following the community pantry, Grants MainStreet made their presentation, Executive Director William Yarborough went before the council with his presentation. MainStreet is requesting $35,000 in funding. The amount is from a memorandum of understanding between MainStreet, the City of Grants and the State of New Mexico, and in return they provide services that are written in their professional services agreement. Some of the services include planning and conducting events such as Spokes on 66, Hospitable Grants, and MainStreet Murals. The Northwest New Mexico Council of Governments went next with their presentation. The COG is requesting $50,000 of funding. Brandon Howe made the presentation to the council. The COG will be using the funding to continue providing services for the city. Finally, the Rockin’ 66 express made their presentation for funding consideration. Transit Manager Melissa Chavez made the presentation to the council. The Express is requesting $52,000 which is an increase from last year’s award which was $35,150. The express wants to use the funding in order to increase pay for the drivers as well as administration and operating support.
The meeting ended with closing comments from the council. Councilor Fred Rodarte said that he is glad that the city of grants can fund these organizations and he’s thankful for the good things happening to the city of Grants. Councilor George Garcia said he wants to thank the city employees for the work they do. He said that the citizens don’t see enough of what the employees do and that they are the reason events are able to happen. Mayor Erik Garcia said that the reason for good things happening in the city of Grants is due to good leadership. He said the staff are working hard and the city of Grants is continuing to progress forward to become the cleanest and safest city.
The Regular City Council Meeting for August has been canceled.
All meetings are livestreamed and available to watch live or replayed on the City of Grants Facebook page and the City of Grants NM YouTube Channel.