The summer rains have rolled in, and so has a surge of dedication from our county departments. From fast flood recovery at our wastewater plants to July 4th fire patrols, our teams have been moving quickly to protect, repair, and serve. This week’s Community Report highlights emergency storm response, infrastructure wins, public safety updates, and our ongoing commitment to the people who make Doña Ana County run. Let’s take a closer look.

Storms, Spills, and Swift Recovery

A major rainstorm on June 25th put the Chaparral Wastewater Treatment Plant to the test. With more than quadruple the normal daily flow flooding the system, staff quickly jumped into action. Operations Manager Mireya Rascon and her team responded on-site to fix equipment malfunctions and prevent the basins from overflowing. Within hours, everything was back to normal.

In La Union, an emergency backup at the elementary school revealed a serious clog in the sewer system caused by improper dumping. After initial jetting attempts failed, the Utilities team called in a Vactor truck to clear the line. The team also disinfected the playground area after a sewage spill and worked with school officials to prevent future issues.

Another challenge hit when a contractor accidentally bored into a key wastewater forcemain on Alvarez Road. Thankfully, the break was repaired within two hours with no service disruptions. Meanwhile, Vado’s Lift Station on Singh Road got an upgrade with the addition of a new chemical injection system designed to reduce odor and corrosion a first for this site. This site will be feeding 20 gallons per day of Bioxide to provide odor control and most importantly prevent corrosion and protect our downstream manholes and Lift Stations.

From Fires to Floods

It’s been a season of action for the Office of Emergency Management. The team helped deploy local personnel to support flood response efforts in Ruidoso and the Trout Fire in Grant County, providing both planning and operational support. Here at home, the team ran Advanced Incident Command courses for more than 60 response personnel and held hazard mitigation planning meetings in Hatch, Las Cruces, and Sunland Park to shape community-specific strategies.

As monsoon season ramps up, OEM met with the National Weather Service, the Flood Commission, and other local partners to coordinate messaging, resource planning, and emergency response strategies. Interviews have also wrapped for the new Deputy Emergency Manager, with an announcement expected soon.

Listening and Responding

Over the past few weeks, the Constituent Services team has processed more than 130 public records requests, fielded dozens of constituent calls, and kept pressure on unresolved service cases. A recent visit to La Union raised new conversations around sidewalk safety near Alvarez Road, and discussions are underway to find a path forward.

The team continues to support the rollout of the county’s new constituent management system and attended state-led trainings to stay sharp on IPRA. This department continues to serve as the county’s front line for public concerns.

Fire Rescue

Fireworks, Floods, and Frontline Service

Doña Ana County Fire Rescue had its hands full and hearts open this July. Crews increased staffing across the board for Fourth of July fireworks patrols, deploying brush trucks and fire investigators across the county. While most reports were minor, a brush fire near La Llorona Park required a full response. Crews also tackled a house fire in Organ on July 6th, responding quickly and staying on scene to control hotspots. No injuries were reported.

Hydrant testing continued in the Santa Teresa area, part of a larger data initiative to ensure readiness. The BOCC approved the purchase of three new ambulances and submitted two major FEMA grant applications one to hire 18 new firefighters and another to fund hydrant inspection and code enforcement.

The department hosted multiple training sessions, including ICS 300/400 courses and a Fire Instructor certification course. Physical Agility Test prep for new recruits drew in 88 applicants, most of whom successfully completed the challenge. On July 4th, Lieutenant/Paramedics began operating in their new EMS leadership roles, increasing response strength countywide. The team also honored fallen Deputy Antonio de Jesus Aleman by lining the I-25 corridor in solidarity with DASO.

Be Part of the Conversation

 There’s always something happening in Doña Ana County, and this is where you’ll find the latest on town halls, public meetings, and community events. From GO Bond info sessions to seasonal gatherings, we encourage everyone to get involved, ask questions, and stay informed. Your voice is a key part of the progress we're making together.

July 25, 8:30 am – 23^rd Annual Judy Price Memorial Blood Drive

• Location: Doña Ana County Government Center, 845 N. Motel Blvd., Las Cruces

August 4, 6:00 pm – District 2 Community Meeting with Commissioner Gloria Gameros

• Location: Vado/Del Cerro Community Resource Center, 180 La Fe Ave., Del Cerro

August 6, 6:00 pm – District 3 & 4 Joint Community Meeting with Commissioner Reynolds and Commissioner Chaparro

• Location: Butterfield Community Resource Center, 9350 Berry Patch Lane, Las Cruces

August 7, 6:00 pm – District 3 & 4 Joint Community Meeting with Commissioner Reynolds and Commissioner Chaparro

• Location: Doña Ana Community College East Mesa Campus, 2800 N. Sonoma Ranch Boulevard, Las Cruces

August 8, 6:00 pm – District 2 Community Meeting with Commissioner Gloria Gameros

• Location: Anthony Senior Center, 875 Anthony Drive, Anthony

 August 11, 6:00 pm – District 2 Community Meeting with Commissioner Gloria Gameros

• Location: Sunland Park Sports Complex, Conference Room 4700 McNutt Road, Santa Teresa

August 15, 6:00 pm – District 2 Community Meeting with Commissioner Gloria Gameros

• Location: Gadsden High School, Cafeteria, 6301 NM-Hwy 28, Anthony

August 16, 9:00 am – County Surplus Auction

• Location: Doña Ana County Road Department Parking lot, 2025 East Griggs Avenue, Las Cruces

 The People Who Power the County

Behind every service call, safety response, or public works project is a team of individuals who give their best every day. This section is dedicated to spotlighting the people who go above and beyond in their roles, from employee of the month honorees to those making consistent contributions that keep the county moving over the years. These recognition's are more than awards, they’re a celebration of dedication, integrity, and community spirit.

Anniversaries

10 years:

• Officer Jose Torres – Detention Center
• Susie Cordero – County Manager’s Office
• Yaksubely “Jackie” Villalobos-Cordero – Grant Assistant, Sheriff’s Office

15 years:

• Erika Enriquez – Administrator, Fleet Department
• Officer Alonso Zimmerman – Detention Center
• Officer Noe Cervantes – Detention Center

20 years:

• Captain Alfred Sanchez – Sheriff’s Office
• Olga Herrera – Building Attendant, Facilities & Services

Retirements

• Nasreen Nelson – Controller, Finance
• Rima Perez – Accountant III, Finance
• Raquel Quiroga – Accountant IV, Finance