The Española City Council rejected a resolution to seek support from the New Mexico Municipal League for the City’s ongoing financial troubles.
The resolution sought for the Municipal League to work with New Mexico Legislative staff to return up to $18 million annually back to the city budget.
“That $18 million includes our Gross Receipts Taxes and whatever we would be asking for from the governor to support an additional annual general fund revenue based on recommendations of the City and the Local Government Division of the Department of Finance and Administration,” City Attorney Frank Coppler said during the Aug. 26 council meeting.
City revenue has been falling due to land purchases within city limits by surrounding pueblos that take properties off the tax rolls, Coppler said. He used the purchase of the Henry Valencia Motors property and the former site of the Arrow Motel by Santa Clara Pueblo as examples.
“I’m not pointing fingers at anybody,” Coppler said. “This is not the fault of the Native Americans. You know, they’re doing what they can do to grow their enterprise, rightfully so.”
According to the resolution, the city’s General Fund budget increased by about $2 million between 2001 and today due to rising costs for things like equipment and salaries in the police and fire departments, services for senior citizens and paying a disproportionate amount of regional E911 costs. Coppler also cited the continuing decline in Gross Receipt Tax revenue.
Mayor John Ramon Vigil said one way to deal with dwindling revenue is by working with legislators to make changes on how money is distributed from tribal casinos. Gaming compacts dictate how much money is passed along to New Mexico.
“What we’re asking for from the state is when they’re looking at the gaming compacts, to give a portion back to the municipality, not to take back from the casino tribal entities,” Vigil said.
New Mexico would give a portion of what they receive from the tribes specifically for emergency services, he said.
District 4 City Councilor Samuel LeDoux voted against the resolution, calling it an embarrassment and saying it fails to explain what Coppler and Vigil presented during the meeting.
“If we sent this resolution to the state, they’re going to look at this and laugh at us,” LeDoux said. “I am sorry, but the resolution as written, if it wants to deal more with gaming compacts, if it wants to deal more with … the issue with the pueblos, it should be written in a way to address those specific issues.”
District 1 Councilor and Mayor Pro Tem Peggy Sue Martinez also voted against the resolution and said the city has a problem with spending beyond its means.
While it appeared the resolution would pass, District 1 Councilor Aaron Salazar and District 4 Councilor Justin Salazar-Torrez changed their votes after hearing comments by LeDoux and Martinez. The resolution failed in a 4-2 vote.
‘No Meltdowns’
LeDoux attempted to get the discussion about the resolution back on track by using Robert’s Rules of Order — parliamentary meeting rules and procedures often used by governments and other decision-making bodies to conduct official business.
He called for a point of order, which is used to refocus conversations, remind members to display proper decorum and enforce other rules.
“Point of order is not for you, OK?” Vigil said to LeDoux. “I’ve done Robert’s Rules of Order. You don’t get to use that point of order. I’m facilitating the meeting right now.”
Vigil and Martinez then exchanged words about pay within the police and fire departments, and Martinez said changes in pay should come before the council.
Communication between Vigil and Martinez continued to deteriorate into personal attacks and insults.
“Just do whatever you want,” Vigil said to Martinez. “That’s all you’re always gonna do, whatever you want. That’s what you grew up doing.”
Martinez told Vigil that he had “no idea” about how she grew up.
Vigil then made remarks about his grandfather, before LeDoux ended the tense exchange by shouting for a point of order and declaring there were to be “no meltdowns.”