The Town of Silver City has issued a notice of intent for Ordinance 1342, which would update the town’s municipal court code by repealing the existing court-cost section and replacing the administrative-fee section with new court-fee provisions. Public comments are being accepted through October 26, with final consideration scheduled for October 27. Residents can review the ordinance and submit comments through the website.
Luna County is celebrating the completion of a major solar and energy-efficiency project designed to lower operating costs at county facilities. The project, completed in partnership with Schneider Electric, includes solar installations at the Luna County Detention Center, Starmax Family Entertainment Center and the Sixth Judicial District Courthouse, along with LED lighting upgrades at four county facilities. The program is expected to reduce the county’s annual energy use by about 35 percent and provide approximately three-point-five million dollars in guaranteed utility and operational savings over 25 years.
A federal waiver is raising questions about state authority over water resources in southern New Mexico. The Homeland Security Secretary has waived certain New Mexico water laws and regulations within a designated border construction area, allowing federal officials to bypass some state permitting requirements for activities including well drilling and infrastructure work. The action follows a dispute over wells drilled for border construction in the Mimbres, Hachita and Lower Rio Grande water basins. New Mexico officials have challenged the federal government’s authority, while federal officials say the waiver is authorized under federal law to facilitate border barrier construction.
In other news:
New Mexico is developing a 2050 Freight Plan aimed at preparing the state’s transportation network for future increases in freight traffic. The plan examines highways, rail, truck parking, border crossings and other infrastructure used to move goods throughout New Mexico. For Southwest New Mexico, the plan could have implications for freight movement along I-10, as well as future investments in roads, rail and truck infrastructure. The draft New Mexico 2050 Freight Plan is available for public review and comment through the New Mexico Department of Transportation’s Freight Plan website.