Raton City Commission Deals with Zoning Issue Lodger’s Tax Requests and Financials

By Marty Mayfield
KRTN Multi-Media

Raton City Commissioners met Tuesday evening January 27, 2026, for their first regular meeting of the new year to cover zoning issues, Lodger’s Tax requests and financial issues.

Kenneth Erickson, as a resident of Capulin, is asking about the120 acres of property the city owns on the west side of Capulin. He is requesting the city look at working on the fence and taking care of the grass in those parcels.

August Wakat presented a proposal to the commission for a salvage, wrecker, and recycling ecosystem. He would like to use the La Mesa racetrack area for a recycling business. Since he was not on the agenda no action was taken and he will meet with Interim City Manager Neil Segotta on Friday.

Soriah Martinez and Patricia Duran were on hand to give the commission a biannual report on Explore Raton. Patricia Duran will be leaving the Center for Community Innovation and moving over to Raton Mainstreet and has moved Martinez into the president of the CCI. Her report gave an overview of the statistics for the Explore Raton web site and other social media which has reached well over 827k people. The visitor’s guide was distributed over several neighboring states and southern California.

Commissioners heard about a zoning change that will rezone a parcel of land in the Gardenville Subdivision from a R-1 residential to an L-1 Light industrial zone. Interim City Manager Neil Segotta noted this area should have been zoned as L-1, this is a cleanup of the zoning map.

Commissioners also heard about a subdivision preliminary plat 25-110 for Willow Springs Real Estate and Land Co LLC for property on Highway 555. Commissioners approved the request.

Commissioners heard recommendations from the Lodger’s Tax Advisory board on one upcoming event and two opportunities to advertise in vacations guides. The Colfax County Fair Association is asking for $3286. Moon dog Publishing is asking for $2500 for the 2026 Vacation Guide of which $1250 for a full-page print ad and $1250 for digital media advertising. The Huerfano World Journal is seeking $1449 for advertising in their print summer guide.

Truman Smith was on hand to speak about the Cowboy Sweetheart Ball at the Convention Center. He noted that the reason they do not ask Colfax County is that the fair barn is in Springer town limits. Also, Colfax County rejected the request as the Town of Springer had annexed the fair complex into the town limits a few years ago, so the Fair Board has come to Raton. Smith noted that the money they raise is used for upkeep and other activities that they do around the county. Segotta noted that the city is seeing a shortfall of $25,000 to the lodger’s tax this year. The commission approved providing $1643, which is half of the original amount recommended by the Lodger’s Tax Advisory Board. Commissioners approved the full amount for both advertising opportunities.

Commissioners acted on the recommendation for approval of the Alpha Design architectural services agreement for work on the Raton Animal Shelter outdoor kennel project. Alpha Design’s proposal is for $20,000 for architectural design work. The city has secured $238,000 for work on the animal shelter.

Commissioners discussed change orders for the Kearny School Film Project. There are three change orders valued at about $25,000. One change covers the removal and reinstallation of electrical receptacles at a cost of 11,177. The second change order is for foundation and floor support to address an issue with the perimeter footing at a cost of $7,862. The third change order deals with structural modification to properly support roof framing following the removal of an interior bearing wall with shoring currently in place at a cost of $5335. Commissioner Honeyfield asked why some of this wasn’t found during the original inspection and feels this is just the tip of the iceberg for more change orders to come. City Engineer Jaden Welsh noted that most all the demolition is almost complete. Two of the items weren’t found until the demolition had already begun.

Commissioners heard about the quote from Axon Enterprises for vehicle cameras for the Raton Police Department utilizing the state price agreement for the purchase. The cost of the cameras is quoted at $26,976 over a five-year period. The five-year period is to cover cloud storage of all the video.

City Treasurer Michael Anne Antonucci presented the second quarter financial reports which again showed an improvement in GRT but a smaller than expected gas tax and lodger’s tax. The lodger’s tax has seen reduced revenues for the last six months while the gas tax has been up and down. The GRT collected is from the November time frame and is 7.29% above budget.

Commissioners discussed Resolution 2026-07 which will pledge participation and matching funds for the Lake Maloya Trails+ grant. The Friends of Sugarite received a grant of $26,400 for outdoor trails work in the canyon. The city will match the funding with $13,200. The project will cover work on 1.5 miles of trail around Lake Maloya.

Antonucci presented the FY26 budget adjustment #7 for the commission’s approval. The adjustment included line-item changes moving monies associated with grant funds.

Interim City Manager Neil Segotta noted in his report that the baby box at the Raton Fire Department is in testing mode and should be usable by next week. He noted that other projects are nearing completion with the boiler at the library being ready to be fired up next week.

The commission noted there could be a quorum at the NM Municipal League Municipal day at the La Fonda on the Plaza February 4th and 5th. The next city commission meeting will be on February 10, 2026, at the 6:00 p.m.