By Roger Lanse
At its Tuesday, July 25, meeting, the Silver City Town Council approved a resolution rescinding an earlier resolution passed by council which raised property tax rates in the town by one mill. Town Manager Alex Brown explained that the earlier measure was passed in case the state reduced the amount of “hold harmless” funds returned to municipalities. These “hold harmless” monies reimburse local governments for tax monies lost when gross receipts taxes on food and some medical supplies were eliminated.
Brown stated that the intent of council all along was to cancel the increase if the ‘hold harmless” funds came through, which they did. Brown cautioned, though, that a property tax increase is almost certain to be needed within two years as the “hold harmless” distribution to Silver City and other municipalities continues to be reduced each year. This year those funds to Silver City were reduced $120,000, District 2 Councilor Lynda Aiman-Smith said.
During the Public Input segment of the council meeting one speaker, Simon Ortiz, praised District 4 Councilor Guadalupe Cano, who at the council’s July 11 meeting, was critical of tourist advertisements, which are supported by the Lodger’ Tax Fund, and do not adequately represent all cultures, namely the Hispanic culture. Cano told the Beat that she became angry as this is the fourth time she has brought the issue up.
A second speaker, Jen Pack, had concerns with Cano’s “tirade,” at the July 11 Lodgers’ Tax meeting, calling it “volatile” and “harsh.” She praised the Executive Director of the Silver City Arts and Cultural District Callie Kennington who, Pak said, was the target of the anger, remained calm and didn’t respond in kind. Pak was also concerned that the “councilwoman’s anger went unacknowledged.”
Cecilia Bell invited the public to the 151st birthday party for Fort Bayard to be held on Oct. 14. She also hoped the Fort Bayard Historic Preservation Society would be allowed to put up two signs at the Visitor Center announcing the event.
District 3 Councilor Jose Ray Jr. stated that panhandling is a problem downtown and council and the city are going to see what can be done to alleviate it.
Aiman-Smith presented a card explaining what aggressive begging is and what an individual can do if they are approached by a panhandler. These cards are available at City Hall and the Visitor Center.
Ray said that the Grant County Regional Dispatch Center receives an average of 250-300 calls a day. He asked residents to use little bit of sense when calling dispatch, and to use 911 only when there is a true emergency.
Mayor Ken Ladner reminded residents the town is still accepting designs for “Welcome to Silver City” signs. Assistant Town Manager James Marshall told council that only two people have submitted designs.
Marshall said he had a conversation with Police Chief Ed Reynolds earlier who said that the police department is very busy – it’s just call to call – with very little time between. Reynolds, according to Marshall, stated the public needs to slow down and have some respect for one another – don’t be rolling through stop signs and speeding.
Silver City Fire Chief Milo Lambert reported that since the last council meeting they have had 114 EMS calls and on four, SCFD had to assist Gila Regional Medical Center personnel in transporting patients to the hospital. Brown said that on one of those assists GRMC personnel showed up in a personal car to transport. “That’s why Milo keeps coming (to the council),” Brown said.
Southwest New Mexico Council of Governments Director Priscilla Lucero spoke in favor of a memorandum of understanding supporting the community development of Fort Bayard. One initiative, she said, is to transfer the site to the Village of Santa Clara, but that would require meeting lots of regulations. She also mentioned the possibility of using Americorps members to help with the revitalization of the site. Santa Clara and Grant County have already approved the memorandum, she stated, now just Silver City and Western New Mexico University are needed. Town Attorney Robert Scavron and Brown saw no current problems with the draft and council approved the memorandum of understanding.
Council approved a resolution adopting the 2017-2018 budget amounting to $34,495,351.
In a final action, council appointed Ladner as Voting Delegate to the New Mexico Municipal League’s annual conference and appointed District 1 Councilor Cynthia Bettison as alternate.