Proposal would grant 5% raises for commissioned officers, 3% for non-commissioned staff if approved

Damien Willis, Organ Mountain News

LAS CRUCES - Las Cruces City Council is scheduled to vote Monday on a proposed labor agreement that would raise pay for police officers as part of an effort to improve recruitment and retention within the department.

The proposal, listed as Resolution 26-084 on the Jan. 5 council agenda, would approve a memorandum of understanding between the city and the Las Cruces Police Officers Association. If approved, the agreement would provide a 5% pay increase for commissioned officers and a 3% increase for non-commissioned bargaining unit employees.

According to the agenda packet, the raises would take effect the first full pay period after City Council ratification. The estimated cost to the city’s general fund for fiscal year 2026 is approximately $387,000, which staff report is already budgeted.

City documents describe the agreement as a one-time memorandum reached under the existing collective bargaining framework. While the materials cite changes in working conditions as the basis for the pay adjustments, they do not specify what those changes are.

The item is scheduled for discussion during Monday’s regular council meeting, meaning councilors could approve, amend, table or reject the agreement.

City Council is set to meet at 1 p.m. Monday at City Hall.

Damien Willis is founder and editor of Organ Mountain News. If you have a personal story to share or a lead we should follow up on, reach out at OrganMountainNews@gmail.com or connect with him on X at @damienwillis.