CIBOLA COUNTY, N.M. Local ballots don’t just list candidates—they often include ballot measures that ask voters to approve specific funding for community needs.
This November, Cibola County voters will see two funding questions: one from Grants Cibola County Schools (GCCS) and one from Cibola General Hospital (CGH).
Ballot measures are a clear way of having your voice heard in your community. Simply put, a ballot measure is a yes/no question asking voters to authorize something specific— often a funding tool—so public agencies can maintain or improve services, buildings, equipment, or infrastructure.
There are three common types of funding questions asked in the form of ballot measures:
• Mill: Property-tax rate unit. 1 mill = $1 per $1,000 of a property’s net taxable value (the value shown on your tax bill after standard calculations).
• Mill levy: A property- tax authorization measured in mills. Levies can be new, continued, or renewed and usually last a set number of years.
• General Obligation (GO) bond: Longterm borrowing repaid with a dedicated property tax levy. Bonds typically fund big, one-time capital projects (new buildings, major renovations).
What is CibolaVoting On?
This fall’s ballot includes two local funding questions — one for Grants Cibola County Schools and one for Cibola General Hospital.
GCCS: For the schools, voters will be asked to renew the SB-9 “two-mill” capital improvements levy, which is $2 for every $1,000 of a property’s net taxable value.
SB-9 is the steady, pay-as-you-go tool used for construction, HVAC systems, classrooms safety, and it keeps technology current; it also covers instructional equipment, activity vehicles, and general facility maintenance.
This is not a new general- obligation bond— district officials say they are not running a GO bond this year and may look at one in 2027. This money is not used on salaries. Because SB-9 is renewed on a cycle, reauthorization helps the district plan responsibly.
Cibola General Hospital: The hospital question asks voters to continue the county hospital mill levy at a rate not to exceed up to $4.25 per $1,000 of net taxable value—for eight years, to support the operations and maintenance of Cibola General Hospital.
“Not to exceed” is a cap: voters authorize the maximum, and the actual levy can be set below that by county officials based on demonstrated needs and budgets.
Cibola voters have the power to decide whether to continue these community investments for years ahead or not.
This is a chance for Cibola’s voters to use their power by reviewing the plans, the projected costs, and the accountability measures—and then voting. Your tax dollars fund these services, and your ballot decides