By Marty Mayfield
KRTN Multi-Media
The Raton City Commission met Tuesday evening May 26, 2026, and began their meeting with another governmental requirement, preparing an Infrastructure Capital Improvement Plan or ICIP before tackling lodger’s tax requests and budget requirements.
The ICIP is a capital improvement plan required by the Legislature when requesting capital outlay monies from the legislature for capital outlay funding. Lake Maloya Dam has been on the top of the list of requests for the last couple of years and continues to hold that position. Other items on the list include drainage and storm drain improvements followed by wastewater plant improvements. The Raton Animal Shelter replacement remains fourth on the list with Solid Waste equipment rounding out the top five priorities.
Commissioners then tackled two items that were postponed from the last regular meeting to determine how the budget would shape up with regards to the lodger’s tax. Commissioners took up the question of how much to fund the Raton MainStreet program and decided on giving them $60,000 this will be funded by economic development funds.
Commissioners then worked out how to fund the Raton Museum and the Raton Arts and Humanities with Lodger’s Tax non-promo funding. The Raton Museum is asking for $32,400, which is the same amount as last year. The Raton Arts and Humanities Council is asking for $18,000 to be paid out at $1500 a month.
Another item that comes back from the last meeting is the request for Consensus Planning’s statement of Work. The work that is being requested deals with mapping updates in the city. Commissioners decided to move this request to a later date after budget funding could be better determined.
The next item on the agenda is the request for Lodger’s Tax funding for the Gate City Music Festival by Raton MainStreet. The Lodger’s Tax board is recommending the city approve $22,513.52 to cover advertising, tent rental, Exile (headliner) deposit and sound work for the festival. The city will receive about $40,000 from the Grow Money fund over a two-year period to help offset some of the expenses. Commissioners approved the request.
Commissioners approved an MOU with the Raton Youth Football League for the use of the Soccer Field for the upcoming year. There will be flag football from kindergarten to 4th and YAFL football for the older kids. Andrew Maes spoke about all the plans the organization has for the season including the purchase of new helmets and the desire to use the good grass fields.
Commissioners received a quote from Stryker for the purchase of 4-lifepak 35’s for the Raton Fire Department. The cost for this equipment will come from the state EMS Fund Act funding at $67,865 for three years.
Commissioners heard Resolution 2026-25 supporting a proposed “New Mexico Land Banking for Property, Community, and Economic Revitalization Act.” This will support land banking funding for vacant, abandoned property and dilapidated properties.
Commissioners then deliberated on an estimate from Mosark LLC for the Kearney Film School Boiler repairs for a cost of $328,399.94. As a result of the bid this request was postponed to the next regular meeting.
Commissioners then heard about change order #6 to Phase 1A construction contract for a cost of $72,452.21. This will cover work that is outside of the electrical work that was in Phase 1B. This will be done in some rooms and the cafeteria.
Commissioners heard a request to expand the chip seal project by six additional streets. Commissioners approved the request for $30,000 and will add up to 52,000 square yards chip seal work.
Commissioners then approved the interim budgets for the City of Raton, Raton Water Works, and Raton Public Service. The interim budgets will be submitted to DFA for approval by June 1. RWW will have a total budget of 4,342,500. RPS will see revenues of $7,974,554 and expenditures of$6,802,142. The city will see revenue of $6,792,320 and expenditures of $7,386,438 with construction making up some of the deficit. Antonucci noted that with the changes she was able to balance the budget.
City Treasurer Michael Anne Antonucci informed commissioners about the FY26 Budget Adjustment #10 that includes changes to the line items for airport and street improvements.
Commissioners then heard about the April 2026 Financial Report which continues to see an increase in GRT of 6.47% for the month of March. Antonucci noted that the gas tax has improved slightly for April.
Interim City Manager Neil Segotta noted in his report that the north underpass is nearing completion and the paint for the north underpass has been delayed but the underpass is open for now. Bridge work on Railroad Ave continues and one bridge should be completed and open to traffic soon. Work at Romero Park continues with one slide installed and as soon as the chip seal work is completed city crews will get back on the playground equipment installation.
Commissioners then went into executive session to discuss a City Manager‘s contract.
Commissioners came back into regular session in less than 10 minutes and offered a contract to Neil Segotta for the city manager position. It passed 4-1 with Commissioner Hoger voting no. Mayor Chatterley then read a note about the selection noting his experience and contacts in Santa Fe are very important to the city. Chatterley said she talked to department heads and noted that the response was overwhelmingly good. Hoger then stated that she was against the selection based on the vote that occurred in November that the people wanted a new direction. Commissioner Campbell noted he was looking forward to working with Segotta and Commissioner Schuster said she understood Commissioner Hoger’s concerns but after many conversations with Segotta she felt that Segotta was the correct choice and that he has taken the lead in dealing with some concerns the city has with and is willing to work in new directions as directed by the commission. She also felt that he did have the best interest of Raton at heart. Mayor Pro-Tem Honeyfield echoed the sentiments of Commissioner Campbell and with that the meeting was adjourned.
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