Las Cruces City Council caught up on the city's fiscal trajectory during a work session this Monday. As documented by official updates, the session covered the fiscal year 2025-2026 budget, the Capital Improvements Program (CIP), and the new master plan for the Las Cruces International Airport.
Key to the budget discussions was the 'BASE' method, described as Balanced, Accountable, Sustainable, and Efficient, deployed to thoroughly devise the upcoming fiscal plan. The BASE strategy was segmented into three obligatory phases: covering current contractual and legal needs, sustaining present city services, and entertaining new budgetary requests. The City aims to quickly execute this budget after its presentation set for April 14.
The budget and grant administrator, Jacqueline Rubalcava, highlighted the city's flexible yet disciplined approach towards budgeting. "The 2025-26 fiscal year budget incorporated different budgeting methods and formulated a process that works best for the City," quoted Rubalcava, as per the City of Las Cruces.
The CIP program, managed by Cynthia Alamillo, is looking up as presented to the Council. Designed to constantly improve, the CIP now aims to collaborate more transparently and foster innovative solutions on upcoming city projects. This is all part of a six-year plan that the Council approves and communicates with the public to signal future capital project plans and directions, gearing up to ideally engage the community.
Meanwhile, Airport Administrator Andy Hume laid out a master plan for the airport, charting a course towards expansion and development, in partnership with key local institutions and geared towards boosting the local economy. As the Council moves to adopt this plan, the City also seeks to update the strategic business plan and roll out Capital Improvement Plans as part of the broader vision for the airport's future.
