Silver City Mayor Ken Ladner presents proclamation for Wild, Wild West Pro Rodeo Week to Kevin Brown, Southwest Horseman's Association president.

By Roger Lanse

At Silver City's May 9 town council meeting, the Fiscal Year 2017-2018 budget was the main topic of discussion among councilors, mayor, Grant County Assessor Raul Turrieta, and Town Manager Alex Brown. The discussion was a short one because what is coming from the state in the form of returned gross receipts tax funds to the town is not known, but Brown is expecting reductions. It's difficult to come up with a budget, Brown said, when the amount of revenue coming in is not known. Because of the funding uncertainty town officials are considering levying a one mil increase, or a fraction thereof, on the property tax rate, GÇ£to offset any cuts during this next fiscal year,GÇ£ Brown said.

Brown summed up the budget question by saying that although the town is looking at raising the property tax rate to make up for expected reductions in revenue, any changes to the proposed 2017-18 budget can be implemented as late as July 31, should revenues be more than expected.

Mayor Ken Ladner told the Beat that if a property tax rate is approved as part of the townGÇÖs budget, only Silver City property owners would be affected.

Kevin Brown, President, Southwest Horsemans Association, accepted a proclamation from Ladner declaring the week of May 31 GÇô June 3, 2017, as Wild, Wild West Pro Rodeo Week. Kevin Brown said the event is a world class rodeo and thanked all its sponsors, especially the title sponsor, First New Mexico Bank.

Speakers from the public mentioned the SW Festival of the Written Word to be held in Silver City Friday through Sunday, Sept. 29, 30, and Oct. 1; touched on how a 4-day school week would impact at-risk students; and brought up some unspecified ongoing problems downtown involving safety that need to be addressed.

District 2 Councilor Lynda Aiman-Smith stated the town had received a grant from the Department of Transportation-Transportation Alternative Program for a first priority project of the townGÇÖs Bicycle Master Plan, involving restriping and bike lanes in the 12th Street neighborhood. Aiman-Smith also mentioned the Planning & Zoning Commission has two vacancies and encouraged residents to apply for those important positions.

Brown informed council that the four-way stop signs and GÇ£Stop AheadGÇ¥ plastic letters to be melted on the roadway, for the intersection of Broadway and Bullard, have been ordered. He also said the crosswalks will be repainted this Friday.

In final action, council approved the reappointment of Jeff Fell to the Cemetery Board.