Raton City Commission Approves Water Rate Changes and Final Budgets

By Marty Mayfield

KRTN Multi-Media

Changes to Ordinance 1040 began the business portion of the July 28^th regular city commission meeting. This ordinance establishes rates for water and sewer usage and amends Ordinance 1018 and repeals all the older ordinances and regulations that fall in conflict with Ordinance 1040.

Commissioners began the business discussion with information on the water rates increase request. Raton Water Works General Manager Lloyd Wakefield noted that the increases are covering the cost of doing business such as chemicals and other supplies. Residents will see an increase of $2.10 per 1000 gallons of use. The ordinance was approved with little discussion. (A complete listing of the rates are below)

City Treasurer Michael Anne Antonucci presented the final budget adjustment for FY26. The adjustment had line-item changes for grant monies to close out the year. There were some recommendations about where some funding comes from and how it should be accounted for, Antonucci made those adjustments as seen in the report to meet those recommendations. Antonucci talked about the grant work that goes on and how complicated it can get as part of the budget accounting.

Commissioners received the final financial reports for the City of Raton, Raton Public Service and Raton Water Works and approved those reports.

Commissioners then approved the 2026-2027 $30,090,744.00 municipal budget for the 115^th fiscal year of the City of Raton. Antonucci discussed some of the final changes that will be made before the final budget is submitted to DFA. Antonucci noted that the budget is a living document and is already working on the first budget adjustment for the next meetings.

Commissioners approved the voting delegate and an alternative for the New Mexico Municipal League’s annual conference to be held in August. Commissioners approved commissioner Dan Campbell as the voting delegate with City Manager Neil Segotta as alternate.

Commissioners approved the event forms for the 1st Baptist Church Community Block Party to be held on August 19, 2026, to celebrate the end of summer with water activities and other activities for the kiddos. They also approved the Raton MainStreet’s Gate City Music Festival scheduled for September 5th-6th, 2026, noting that Exile will be the headliner at the Shuler on the 6th. Commissioners then approved the celebration permits for a beer garden for the Gate City Music Festival for Blü Dragonfly Brewing, LLC and Left Turn Inc.

Commissioners reviewed a proposal for grant writing services for the EPA Brownfield requests by Ayres. The proposal is for $8500 to work with city staff to identify locations to meet the grant requirements and create the grant application. Matt Ashby with Ayres was on hand to explain that this can also be used for economic development, helping to move properties to new owners. Ashby noted that it takes about a year and half once the grant is submitted to get a final approval.

Commissioners deliberated recommendations for wall and roof repairs at four city facilities. Repairs will made to the Visitor’s Center, Aquatic Center, Shuler Theater and City Hall. Raton Visitors Center work is estimated at $23,477.53. The Raton Aquatic Center work is estimated at $3955.32. At the Raton Shuler Theater the cost is estimated to be $29,424.25 and finally work at the Raton City Hall is expected to be $21,876.25. The prices do not include GRT as J3 Systems quoted the wrong GRT so the final cost will be recalculated with the correct GRT.

Franken Construction brings the city a 7^th change order request for the Kearney School Remodel project and followed that one with an 8^th change order request for the project. Request number seven is for $56,343.34 to do reconstruction on ceiling assemblies including framing ceiling tile replacement and painting while request number eight is asking for $4,149.68 and will be for collecting roof runoff and moving it into the storm drainage system.

Commissioners received a proposal to upgrade the audio equipment for the city commission chambers to allow visitors to better hear commissioners during discussions. The upgrade will include speakers and microphones with a monitor and speakers in the lobby for the overflow audience. The cost of the upgrade will be $37,490.82.

Commissioners appointed Jes Kendall to the Aurthur Johnson Memorial Library board.

City Manager Neil Segotta noted in his report that Michael Anne Antonucci has spent many hours working on the budget and is very thankful for the time she has spent on it. Still meeting with the Picarius Tribe on how things are going. The Data Center ordinance is progressing. The city is working on the El Portal site with a group that might be able to use that site for a housing project.

Segotta noted that Fire Chief Anthony Burk was recognized for his work on the Aspen Acres fire in Colorado. He is pleased that Burk works for the City of Raton.

The next city commission meeting will be held on August 11, 2026, at 6:00 p.m. in the commission chambers

Chapter 53 of the City of Raton Code of Ordinances, Section 53.036, WATER RATES are amended to read as follows:

• (1) Municipal residential.
• Fixed Charge per meter – $14.75 per month (no min. gal); and

Second Year – $15.00 per month (no min.gal); and

Third Year – $15.25 per month (no min. gal.); and

Fourth Year – $15.50 per month (no min. gal.); and

• Water Charge Under 25,000 gallons per month:

First Year – $2.933 per thousand gallons;

Second Year – $3.050 per thousand gallons;

Third Year – $3.172 per thousand gallons;

Fourth Year – $3.299 per thousand gallons;

 (c)   Water Charge 25,000 thousand or more gallons per month:

First Year – $3.420 per thousand gallons 25,000 thousand or more;

Second Year – $3.557 per thousand gallons 25,000 thousand or more;

Third Year – $3.699 per thousand gallons 25,000 thousand or more;

Fourth Year – $3.847 per thousand gallons 25,000 thousand or more;

(2) Rural residential and agriculture.

• Fixed Charge per meter – $15.55 per month (no min. gal); and

Second Year – $15.80 per month (no min gal.); and

Third Year – $16.05 per month (no min gal.); and

Fourth Year – $16.30 per month (no min gal.); and

• Water Charge Under 25,000 gallons per month:

First Year – $5.417 per thousand gallons;

Second Year – $5.634 per thousand gallons;

Third Year – $5.859 per thousand gallons;

Fourth Yearar – $6.093 per thousand gallons;

(c)   Water Charge 25,000 thousand or more gallons per month:

First Year – $5.903 per thousand gallons 25,000 thousand or more;

Second Year – $6.139 per thousand gallons 25,000 thousand or more;

Third Year – $6.385 per thousand gallons 25,000 thousand or more;

Fourth Year – $6.640 per thousand gallons 25,000 thousand or more;

• Urban commercials.
• Fixed Charge per meter – $16.85 per month (no min. gal); and

Second Year – $17.10 per month (no min. gal.); and

Third Year – $17.35 per month (no min. gal.); and

Fourth Year – $17.60 per month (no min. gal.); and

• Water Charge.

First Year – $3.997 per thousand gallons;

Second Year – $4.157 per thousand gallons;

Third Year – $4.323 er thousand gallons;

Fourth Year – $4.496 er thousand gallons;

• Urban Commercial – Multifamily Dwelling/Unit/Space (including but not limited to apartments, mobile home parks and private subdivisions)
• Fixed Charge per meter – $16.85 per month (no min. gal), plus a fixed charge of $9.75 for each dwelling/unit space, and

Second Year – per meter $17.10 per month (no min. gal), plus a fixed charge of $10.00 for each dwelling/unit space, and

Third Year – per meter $17.35 per month (no min gal), plus a fixed charge of $10.25 for each dwelling/unit space, and

Fourth Year – per meter $17.60 per month (no min gal), plus a fixed charge of $10.50 for each dwelling/unit space, and

• Water Charge.

First Year – $3.997 per thousand gallons;

Second Year – $4.157 per thousand gallons;

Third Year – $4.323 per thousand gallons;

Fourth Year – $4.496 per thousand gallons;

• Rural Commercial
• Fixed Charge per meter – $16.85 per month (no min. gal), and

Second Year – $17.10 per month (no min. gal), and

Third Year – $17.35 per month (no min gal), and

Fourth Year – $17.60 per month (no min gal), and

• Water Charge.

First Year – $5.888 per thousand gallons;

Second Year – $6.124 per thousand gallons;

Third Year – $6.369 per thousand gallons;

Fourth Year – $6.624 per thousand gallons;

• Rural Commercial – Multifamily Dwelling
• Fixed Charge per meter – $16.85 per month (no min. gal), plus a fixed charge of $9.75 for each dwelling/unit space, and

Second Year – $17.10 per month (no min. gal), plus a fixed charge of $10.00 for each dwelling/unit space, and

Third Year – $17.35 per month (no min. gal), plus a fixed charge of $10.25 for each dwelling/unit space, and

Fourth Year – $17.60 per month (no min. gal), plus a fixed charge of $10.50 for each dwelling/unit space, and

• Water Charge.

First Year – $5.888 per thousand gallons;

Second Year – $6.124 per thousand gallons;

Third Year – $6.369 per thousand gallons;

Fourth Year – $6.624 per thousand gallons;

Chapter 53 of the City of Raton Code of Ordinances, Section 53.086, BASIC SEWER RATES is amended to read as follows:

(A)           (1) Residential (based upon average of customer’s water bill for December, January and February).

• Fixed charge per service – $12.75; and

Second Year – $13.00; and

Third Year – $13.25; and

Fourth Year – $13.50; and

(b)   First Year – One thousand gallons billed water – $2.892

        Second Year – One thousand gallons billed water – $3.066

        Third Year – One thousand gallons billed water – $3.250

        Fourth Year – One thousand gallons billed water – $3.445

• Urban commercial.
• Fixed charge per service – $14.75; and

Second Year – $15.00; and

Third Year – $15.25; and

Fourth Year – $15.50; and

• First year – One thousand gallons billed water – $2.892

       Second Year – One thousand gallons billed water – $3.066

        Third Year – One thousand gallons billed water – $3.250

Fourth Year – One thousand gallons billed water – $3.445

• Rural commercial.
• Fixed charge per service – $19.75; and

Second Year – $20.00; and

Third Year – $20.25; and

Fourth Year – $20.50; and

(b)  First year – One thousand gallons billed water – $5.172

       Second Year – One thousand gallons billed water – $5.482

        Third Year – One thousand gallons billed water – $5.811

Fourth Year – One thousand gallons billed water – $6.160

• Urban commercial – multi-dwelling
• Fixed charge per service – $14.75, plus a fixed charge of $14.75 for each dwelling/unit space, and

Second year – $15.00, plus a fixed charge of $15.00 for each dwelling/unit space, and

Third year – $15.25, plus a fixed charge of $15.25 for each dwelling/unit space, and

Fourth year – $15.50, plus a fixed charge of $15.50 for each dwelling/unit space, and

• First year – One thousand gallons billed water – $2.892

Second year – One Thousand gallons billed water – $3.066

Third year – One Thousand gallons billed water – $3.250

Fourth year – One Thousand gallons billed water – $3.445