LC City Council Members Still Debating New ‘Facility Fee’

LAS CRUCES — City council members are still debating whether or not to adopt a new “facility fee” that has some residents up in arms.

Fundsraised through the fee are expected to be used to maintain parks and recreational centers.

The city currently spends about two million dollars annuallyto maintain those facilities, officials said. City officials said the fee should have been implemented a long time ago because it will help raise $100,000 annually.

The fee will have to be paid by anyone who uses the facilities and will help expand some of the city’s parks and recreation centers, officials said.

“When we use all of our resources and tax money for preventative maintenance, we can’t expand facilities…long term strategic money is needed,” said Assistant City Manager Robert Garza.