Mayor resurrects State of the Town Address
Taos mayor Pascual Maestas resurrected the State of the Town Address last Wednesday (Dec. 14), and indicated he intends to make the recap of municipal accomplishments an annual event during his tenure as mayor.
“I am proud to restart this annual tradition to report the town’s current position, future direction and recognize the achievements of staff without whom none of the accomplishments would be possible,” Maestas said, going on to award scores of town employees with certificates of recognition.
The mayor began with the Judicial Department, which received 27 criminal complaints, 130 parking citations and 11 animal control citations.
Maestas turned to the clerk’s office, which he said received 162 Inspection of Public Records Act requests in 2022, the lowest amount in eight years, he added. According to the mayor, this is “a sign of transparency.”
While giving awards to employees in the finance and utility billing departments, Maestas told the council the Town of Taos saw a 7.86 percent annual growth rate, adding that gross receipts tax collections exceeded projections by 14 percent. The town hired 35 new staff members throughout 2022, however, adding roughly $400,000 to its expenditures. Despite new positions being filled, according to the mayor, expenditures were about $900,000 lower than expected.
Maestas said the management of Taos’ library, recreation center and parks — a new disc golf course is in the works — improved after several services were combined into one “super department.”
The ice rink at the Taos Youth and Family Center underwent improvements that allow it to serve double duty as pickle ball courts in the warmer months. The center’s locker rooms were upgraded with non-corrosive lockers, and the Parks and Recreation Department purchased a pingpong table; Maestas said a tournament will be held in the spring.
Additionally, the town is set to support Rocky Mountain Youth Corps in a project that will see major improvements made to the municipal disc golf course. Kit Carson and Fred Baca parks now have contract security officers. Additionally, the trees in Taos Plaza were tested this year and declared healthy.
Maestas also mentioned projects to come, including a new skate park and pump track. The cemetery fence at Kit Carson Park will be upgraded, he added, and tennis and basketball courts will be installed in Fred Baca Park. Both parks will see playground equipment replaced and lighting ugraded. Eco Park will see a new scoreboard in 2023, and the little league back parking lot will be improved.
At the Taos Public Library, $15,000 was spent on books, a 3D printer was ordered and new selfcheckout kiosks were ordered. Maestas also mentioned that a bookmobile project is in development, but provided no further details.
Taos tourism was strong this year, he said, with lodgers’ tax revenue coming in at 80 percent more than projected.
The Planning Department completed phases one and two of its comprehensive plan this year, while they are in the process of applying for a local government planning fund for phase three, Maestas said. The mayor expects revisions to the land development code, sign code and to business licenses, adding that the department is working with IT to move applications for them online.
Additionally, planning, zoning and historic preservation ordinances were updated to “create a better sharing of power between the mayor and the council,” he said.
The Fire Department saw firefighters and new cadets move up the ranks and gain new certifications, while the Police Department received a law enforcement fund grant for $112,500 from the New Mexico Finance Authority. Additionally, Maestas added, Taos’ first fully electric police vehicle will be purchased in 2023, and parking lot kiosks will be installed.
The Town of Taos IT Department has been determined to improve public safety via camera and security systems as well as move Taos toward the newest technology and away from paper usage.
The Public Works Department will see its first water and wastewater rates study in 10 years in 2023. The summer road resurfacing project is under way, according to Maestas, covering 17,000 feet and costing $1.4 million. Work on the Taos Regional Airport continues, moving forward with terminal and water transmission line work.
Maestas concluded his address by sharing important highlights. The town will be putting $400,000 toward housing out of its share of American Rescue Plan Act funds, $50,000 toward summer youth programming, $50,000 toward community grants, $20,000 toward youth council initiatives, $100,000 toward the office of emergency management and more than $546,000 for a to-be-determined housing project.
Maestas went on to add that recycling is now available through the Los Cordovas Transfer Station, and discussions are being had regarding the opening of an intown recycling facility.