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Published on November 07, 2024
Las Cruces Voters Approve Tax Increase to Boost City Infrastructure, Mayor Enriquez Expresses GratitudeSource: City of Las Cruces

Las Cruces residents have cast their ballots in favor of municipal progress, with a majority voting to increase the gross receipts tax by 0.325 percent in the recent general election. According to the City of Las Cruces, the measure passed with 55 percent of the vote and is expected to bring in an additional $11 million annually, earmarked for enhancing city infrastructure.

Starting July 1, 2025, consumers will see a minor uptick in their receipts, adding an extra 32 cents per $100 spent. Though the increase is modest, officials assure it will not burden the essentials, sparing groceries and medicine from the hike. Gross receipts taxes, which now amount to a greater share, contribute about 76 percent of the City’s revenue.

"We are pleased that Las Cruces voters chose to invest in their city," said Mayor Eric Enriquez, as per the City of Las Cruces, "The modest gross receipts tax increase will go a long way in improving our public safety, parks, and roadways," he explained in the city's official communication. The affirmative vote confers a mandate from the citizens to prioritize capital improvement projects that range from enhancing public safety to the rejuvenation of city parks and streets.

Underscoring the decisive nature of the vote, the measure sailed through the electoral process by a margin of 10 percentage points. The confidence placed by residents in local governance to judiciously utilize the additional funds speaks to a collective commitment to a flourishing urban landscape.