During late January, the Mayor of Silver City participated in several community engagements, including a visit to the Gospel Mission to assess operations and meet with staff. The Mayor is also preparing to participate in upcoming New Mexico Department of Transportation meetings, including a stakeholders meeting on February 5 and a public meeting on February 19. Additional activities included attending committee meetings, engaging with community groups and town staff, meeting with stakeholders regarding environmental concerns, and observing community–police interactions.
During the Town of Bayard Regular Meeting, the council approved Resolution 1-2026 authorizing participation in the Que Linda Program administered by the New Mexico Department of Transportation. The resolution accepts an $86,400 grant for the tri-city area, with Bayard serving as the fiscal agent, and that the funding will support the hiring of a full-time contracted coordinator to plan cleanup projects and beautification events for Bayard, Santa Clara, and Hurley. The council also addressed alleyway cleanup responsibilities, noting that while certain portions will remain the responsibility of homeowners, assistance will be provided to elderly residents who are unable to complete their assigned work.
The Grant, Luna, and Hidalgo County Assessor’s Offices announced that the 2026 property rendering period has begun, providing veterans, homeowners, and property owners the opportunity to review tax exemption eligibility and verify that property and mailing information is current. Rendering for livestock, personal property, grazing leases, and manufactured homes must be submitted by February 28, while applications for exemptions are due by April 30, with a five percent penalty possible for late submissions. Additional information, applications, and assistance are available both online and in person at each county’s Assessor’s Office.
In New Mexico news: The New Mexico Department of Transportation (NMDOT) has issued a warning to residents regarding a widespread scam targeting New Mexicans with fraudulent toll road payment demands. Scammers are distributing urgent text messages, emails, and phone calls that falsely claim toll violations and threaten “enforcement action” beginning after February 3, while directing victims to convincing fake websites designed to mimic official government pages in an effort to steal personal and financial information. NMDOT officials stress that New Mexico does not operate any toll roads within state boundaries and that the department will never request toll payments from residents or visitors.
