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This year’s legislative forum allowed local leaders to address state senators and representatives to request funding from capital outlay for their projects. Arieanna Crowson - CC -
The City of Grants presented their projects requests, which included recreation center improvements for Future Foundations, city-wide sewer line replacements, and funding for a new fire department ladder truck. Arieanna Crowson - CC -
Ramah Navajo-Chapter presents their projects, this includes new vehicles for their police department, a chapter house renovation, and a new police and dispatching building. Arieanna Crowson - CC
MILAN, N.M. – On November 22, the Cibola Legislative Forum was held at the Milan Village Hall. Senator George Munoz, Senator Joshua Sanchez, Representative Harry Garcia, and Representative Eliseo Alcon were present to hear from local communities on requests for funding on projects with capital outlay funds and project updates.
Presentations were given by the Village of Milan, City of Grants, Cibola County, Ramah Navajo-Chapter, Pueblo of Acoma, New Mexico State University – Grants, Cibola Communities Economic Development Foundation, and Grants MainStreet Project Inc., the Pueblo of Laguna was also invited to the forum but was unable to have a representative attend. Village of Milan
The Village of Milan brought forward four projects they are requesting funding for.
The first was wastewater system improvements: their 2024 capital outlay request is $7 million, and the current fund to date is $900,000.
The second was heavy equipment purchase: their 2024 CO request is $400,000, and the current fund to date is $200,000.
The third was Tietjen Street reconstruction: their 2024 CO request is $630,000, and the current fund to date is $0.
The fourth is Willow and Pinon Street improvements: their 2024 CO request is $300,000, and the current fund to date is $0.
City of Grants
The City of Grants had three projects they are requesting funding for.
The first was city-wide sewer line replacement; their 2024 CO request is $5 million, and the current fund to date is $0.
The second was the fire department ladder truck; their 2024 CO request is $1,129,000, and the current fund to date is $121,000.
The third was recreation center improvements; their 2024 CO request is $500,000, and the current fund to date is $67,000.
During their presentation, senators and representatives also asked about a push for low-income housing, improvements or rebuilding of the current shelter for battered women, and work on the outdoor arena. Specifically for the outdoor arena, senators and representatives mentioned that if the city doesn't begin work on it soon, they are not sure if they will continue to participate.
Cibola County
Cibola County had three projects they are requesting funding for.
The first was a generator for the county/court complex; their 2024 CO request is $565,000, and the current fund to date is $0.
The second is a road department salt truck; their 2024 CO request is $350,000, and the current fund to date is $0.
The third is a multipurpose public safety training facility; their 2024 CO Request is $500,000, and the current fund to date is $0.
Ramah Navajo
Ramah Navajo-Chapter had seven projects they were requesting funding for.
The first was a new police and dispatching building; their 2025 CO request is $200,000, and the current fund to date is $0.
The second is new 4X4 trucks for the police department; their 2025 CO request is $160,000.
The third is a new modular building; their 2025 CO request is $200,000, and the current fund to date is $0.
The fourth is a new semi-truck purchase; their 2025 CO request is $300,000, and the current fund to date is $0.
The fifth is a new judicial complex; their 2025 CO request is $1 million, and the current fund to date is $0.
The sixth is chapter house renovation; their 2025 CO request is $1.3 million, and the current fund to date is $0.
The seventh is a new modular building; their 2025 CO request is $200,000, and the current fund to date is $0. It was also stated during this presentation that the county is looking to see if Cibola County could be their fiscal agent for some of these projects, but it was later said that the Navajo Nation would push back this idea.
Acoma Pueblo
The Pueblo of Acoma had five projects they were requesting funding for.
The first was water/wastewater system improvements III; their 2024 CO request is $4.5 million, and the current fund to date is $19.8 million.
The second is Mesa Hill bridge construction, which they just wanted to highlight this project; their 2024 CO request is $0, and the current fund to date is $6 million.
The third is SP38 Haak’u road improvements; their 2024 CO request is $2.9 million, and the current fund to date is $5.4 million.
The fourth is SP30 Pueblo road improvements; their 2024 CO request is $2.1 million, and the current fund to date is $5.8 million.
The fifth is SP32 Pinsbaari Drive Trail; their 2024 CO request is $2.9 million, and the current fund to date is $0.
NMSU-Grants
New Mexico State University – Grants had two projects they were requesting funding for and presented the funding requested by NMSU – Las Cruces.
The first was Martinez Hall upgrades; their 2024 CO request is $3 million, and the current fund to date is $121,000.
The second was Mc-Clure Hall roof replacement; their 2024 CO request is $550,000, and the current fund to date is $0.
The other higher education priorities that both NMSU – Grants and NMSU – Las Cruces are requesting are I & G funding increase of 11.5 percent minimum for inflation, employee compensation increase of a minimum of five percent for all employees, student support services they are requesting $3 million, dual credit they are requesting $15 million, and campus safety they are requesting $11 million.
CCEDF Cibola Communities Economic Development Foundation had four projects they were requesting funding for.
The first is the Milan industrial park: their 2024 CO request is $4,188,000, and the current fund to date is $3,612,000.
The second is Grants/Milan airport terminal: their 2024 CO request is $2.4 million, and the current fund to date is $2.6 million.
The third is Cibola County outdoor recreation; their 2024 CO request is $2.3 million, and the current fund to date is $2.2 million.
The fourth is Lobo Canyon Trail System: trail design, construction, and maintenance; their 2024 CO request is $250,000, and the current fund to date is $100,000.
Grants MainStreet Grants MainStreet Project had two projects they were requesting funding for.
The first is bolstering 'Santa Fe Avenue Improvements' planning and design fund; their 2024 CO request is $120,000, and the current fund to date is $120,000.
The second is supporting New Mexico Main-Street’s capital outlay request; their CO request is $10 million, and the current fund to date was not listed.