By Marty Mayfield
KRTN Multi-Media
Raton City Commissioners met on Wednesday November 12, 2025, for their first meeting of the month since the regular Tuesday evening time slot fell on the Veterans Day holiday.
Commissioners began the meeting with the recognition of Susan Wortman and Andrew Tapia who are members of the 1000-mile swim club.
Commissioners then went over the 2026 legislative Capital outlay priorities to begin preparations for the upcoming 30-day legislative session that will begin in January 2026. The top five priorities on the list include Shuler Theater electrical upgrade at $550,000, Raton Animal Shelter replacement at $1,000,000, storm drainage repairs at $750,000, solid waste equipment at $400,000 and city building repairs at $1,000,000. Raton received word last week that the city will receive about $10,800,000 for the Lake Maloya dam spillway work thus the reason it isn’t on the list this year.
Commissioners approved the event form for the annual static electric light parade to be held on historic First Street on November 28, 2025, at 6:00 p.m. The Christmas Tree will be lit at 5:30 p.m.
Commissioners discussed a grant agreement with the NM Economic Development Department from the Outdoor Recreation Division Outdoor Equity grant program. The grant will provide funding of $39,700 for the engagement of youth 18 years and younger in outdoor recreation experiences and with the intent of promoting equitable access to outdoor activities for all residents. The program is expected to begin this coming spring.
Commissioners also discussed a grant agreement from the NM Animal Welfare Fund. This grant amount is $238,169 to support the animal shelter and animal control operations as well as helping renovate the kennels and dog runs at the shelter. This grant comes without a matching fund requirement.
Commissioners approved out of state travel for Jaden Walsh to attend a Geothermal Solutions Symposium in Golden, Colorado on December 1st and 2nd. The purpose of the trip is to gain knowledge regarding geothermal technology, systems and financing opportunities that may benefit the city’s infrastructure and sustainability initiatives.
Commissioners also approved out of state travel so City Manager Rick Mestas and Engineer Jaden Walsh can attend the 41st Space Symposium in Colorado Springs from April 12 through the 16th of 2026. The symposium offers the opportunity to engage with aerospace industry stakeholders, federal agencies and technology organizations. The trip will yield insights or partnerships that could be beneficial to the city as Raton falls within the new proposed space corridor.
Commissioners discussed Resolution 2025-69 authorizing the certification of the city’s Capital Asset Inventory. City Treasurer Michael Anne Antonucci noted this is an annual requirement as part of the audit. The inventory was updated in March of 2025 with deletions and additions which included the sale of an ambulance to Vermejo.
Commissioners approved FY26 Budget Adjustment #4 which included line-item adjustments for the recreation fund, and animal shelter based on the previous agenda grant items. A line-item adjustment of the street fund for Engineering Analytics work on the north underpass and other work.
City Manager Rick Mestas noted that he would be bringing a film permit request for a production that will take place on December 7, 2025. Of note the new time tracking program will be presented to department heads on Thursday. The police department has all the new radios installed and about 70% of the computers in the patrol units. The baby box has been installed at the fire department.
The next city commission meeting will be on November 25, 2025, at 6:00 p.m. at Raton City Hall.
