Doña Ana County voters showed overwhelming support for a new soil and water conservation levy on Tuesday, with 85.8% voting in favor. The measure, a quarter‑mill property tax, authorizes the Doña Ana Soil and Water Conservation District to collect up to 0.25 mills – equivalent to 25 cents per $1,000 of taxable value – each year.
Election results and expected revenue
Unofficial results from the New Mexico Secretary of State’s office recorded 52,854 votes for the levy and 8,771 against, a margin of 44,083 votes out of 61,625 cast. The Trust for Public Land estimated the levy could generate roughly $1.6 million annually, providing a stable funding base for the district’s conservation programs.
District manager emphasizes community impact
District Manager Jennifer Kleitz hailed the vote as a milestone for Doña Ana County. “On behalf of the Doña Ana Soil and Water Conservation District, I want to sincerely thank the voters who placed their trust in our work,” Kleitz said in a release. She added that the new revenue will allow the district to expand existing initiatives and pursue projects that have previously relied on short‑term grants.
Key benefits highlighted by Kleitz include protecting drinking‑water sources, supporting farmers and ranchers, improving soil health, reducing flood risk, planting trees through the NeighborWoods program, and restoring wildlife habitat along the Rio Grande. The district also plans to use the funds for natural‑resource education and to reach historically under‑served communities.
How the levy will be administered
The ballot language requires an independent annual audit of all revenues and expenditures, and the district must spend the money only for the purposes approved by voters. Kleitz said the district will hold public meetings, solicit resident recommendations, and publish regular reports to ensure transparency and accountability.
Because the district’s boundaries do not cover every precinct in Doña Ana County, only eligible voters within the conservation district were able to cast ballots on the measure. The results remain unofficial until certified by the state.
Broader context for local conservation
Doña Ana County has long relied on state funding and competitive grants for its water‑conservation work. When grants expire, the district has sometimes been forced to lay off staff. The new levy is intended to provide a dependable revenue stream that can sustain existing programs, retain employees, and enable the district to seek additional partnerships and grants.
Earlier reporting by KRWG described a partnership that pays agricultural producers to plant cover crops on fields taken out of production, helping to conserve groundwater. NeighborWoods, another district initiative, plants shade‑providing trees in Las Cruces neighborhoods to mitigate extreme heat.
Next steps
The district plans to release more details in the coming months about implementation timelines, public‑participation opportunities, and specific project priorities. Kleitz emphasized that the levy is a tool, not a change in mission: “We will continue working alongside our communities to care for the soil, conserve water and make Doña Ana County more resilient for future generations.”
Original reporting: Organ Mountain News (Las Cruces / Doña Ana County) — read the source article.
