Doña Ana County seeks Project Jupiter committee changes without disclosing amendment
Doña Ana County commissioners will consider changing Project Jupiter monitoring committee rules Tuesday, but the packet omits the amendment and appointee names.
Commissioners also are scheduled to appoint committee members Tuesday, but their names are absent from the public packet
Damien Willis, Organ Mountain News
LAS CRUCES - Doña Ana County commissioners are scheduled Tuesday to amend the rules governing a new Project Jupiter monitoring committee and appoint its members — but the public packet does not say what would change or whom commissioners intend to appoint.
The Board of County Commissioners will consider the proposal as Action Item 16 during its regular meeting, which begins at 9 a.m. Tuesday, Sept. 8, at the Doña Ana County Government Center.
The agenda describes the item as an amendment to Resolution 2026-101, which created the Community Monitoring Committee Related to Project Jupiter. But the proposed amendment is not included in the 497-page meeting packet.
The packet also does not identify the proposed committee members.
An action item without the proposed action
The Item 16 coversheet lists the title of the proposal and identifies Acting County Manager Stephen Lopez as the contact person. Its sections for a summary, requested action, supporting documentation and financial impact are blank.
The only attachment is the original two-page resolution approved by commissioners Aug. 11. The packet does not include an amended resolution, a redlined copy showing proposed changes or an explanation of what commissioners are being asked to alter.
That leaves residents unable to determine from the published materials whether the amendment would expand, restrict or otherwise change the committee’s authority before commissioners vote.
The original resolution called for an 11-member committee, with two residents appointed from each commission district and an additional member selected by the commission chair.
It directed county staff to collect applications by Aug. 31 so commissioners could make their appointments no later than Sept. 4. The appointments are instead scheduled for consideration Sept. 8, four days after that deadline.
The resolution says applicants must live in the district they would represent and may not have a financial interest in support of or opposition to Project Jupiter.
County management already holds attorney authority
Questions about who will select an attorney for the committee have prompted concern among residents about whether the group will operate independently of county management.
The original resolution describes the committee as a citizen-led group intended to conduct “independent information forums” about Project Jupiter’s potential effects on water, air, noise, pollution and other environmental concerns.
It allows committee members to establish their own bylaws and elect their own officers.
But the resolution also directs County Management to hire an attorney to serve as an adviser to the committee. That authority is already part of the resolution commissioners approved Aug. 11 — not a change disclosed for the first time in Tuesday’s agenda.
The packet does not explain whether the proposed amendment would change that provision or how much involvement committee members would have in selecting their legal adviser.
Three commissioners voted for the original resolution: Manuel Sanchez, Christopher Schaljo-Hernandez and Patricia S. Kimble. Commissioners Susana Chaparro and Gina Ganeros were absent.
Organ Mountain News asked County Management on Monday to provide the proposed amendment, identify the prospective appointees and explain how the committee’s attorney would be selected. Any response will be added to this story.
Project Jupiter presentation also scheduled
Project Jupiter representatives are scheduled to give commissioners a presentation earlier in Tuesday’s meeting under Item 6.
The committee was created to organize public information forums about Project Jupiter’s potential effects on water, air, noise, pollution and related environmental concerns.
Tuesday’s meeting begins at 9 a.m. in the commission chambers on the first floor of the Doña Ana County Government Center, 845 N. Motel Blvd. in Las Cruces.
The official Item 16 materials are available through the county’s meeting portal.
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.
Keep Reading
Vasquez calls for congressional hearing on private equity ownership of manufactured home communities — Gabe Vasquez is asking Congress to examine rent hikes, utility problems and housing instability tied to institutional ownership of manufactured home communities.
New Mexico land commissioner shoots down Canadian data center company’s pitch at Spaceport America — Stephanie Garcia Richard says Sierra County’s data center moratorium applies to the state trust land where Spaceport America sits.
New Mexico officials say 89,000 residents may lose coverage under Medicaid work requirements — New federal rules will require many adults to document 80 hours a month of work, school, training or volunteer activity to keep Medicaid coverage.
