The measure authorizes borrowing for a major expansion and renovation of Thomas Branigan Memorial Library, including accessibility improvements and additional space for children.

Damien Willis, Organ Mountain News

LAS CRUCES - Las Cruces voters approved a $26 million general obligation bond for the expansion and renovation of Thomas Branigan Memorial Library in Tuesday's election, giving the city authority to finance a major overhaul of the downtown facility.

Unofficial results from the New Mexico secretary of state's office showed 23,919 voters supporting the bond, or 68.9%, compared with 10,775 voters opposing it, or 31.1%.

The measure passed by 13,144 votes out of 34,694 cast, according to results downloaded at 8:40 a.m. Wednesday, Nov. 4.

The bond authorizes the city to borrow up to $26 million for planning, design, construction, improvements, renovations, modernization, furnishings and equipment at Thomas Branigan Memorial Library.

The authorization does not mean the city has already borrowed or spent the full amount.

What the library expansion would include

The proposed project would add approximately 20,000 square feet to the library's existing 44,000-square-foot building.

Sarah Booth, deputy director of Las Cruces Public Libraries, told KRWG that plans include leveling the building's split first floor and expanding the children's area.

The changes are intended to address accessibility challenges and provide additional space for library programs and services.

The Las Cruces City Council approved a library master plan in October 2024, establishing the framework for the proposed improvements.

The project has also received city and state funding, although the bond represents a major source of financing for the planned work.

How the bond would be financed

The ballot question authorizes general obligation bonds payable through property taxes.

City officials have said the bonds can be repaid using property tax revenue at the existing tax rate.

That distinction is important: Voters authorized a maximum amount of borrowing rather than approving a final construction price or an immediate expenditure of $26 million.

A separate statewide library bond question also appeared on Tuesday's ballot, but that measure concerned library resource acquisitions across New Mexico, not the Branigan Library construction project.

Council unanimously placed measure on ballot

On July 20, the Las Cruces City Council voted unanimously to approve Resolution 27-018, submitting the bond question to voters in the Nov. 3 general election.

All seven members of the governing body supported the resolution.

During the meeting, Councilor Johana Bencomo thanked the people who had worked on the library project over several years, describing the ballot proposal as a long-awaited milestone.

Mayor Eric Enriquez agreed that the improvements were overdue.

Mayor Pro Tem John Munoz also raised a practical concern about the eventual construction process: how the city would maintain library services while renovations were underway.

Munoz suggested that temporary or alternative locations might be necessary as construction progresses.

Residents raised concerns about cost and operations

The July 20 council meeting also included differing public perspectives on the project.

Resident Derrick Pacheco questioned the city's financial oversight and argued that reduced library operating hours should be addressed before committing millions of dollars to a major building project.

Lynda St. Clair, president of the Friends of Thomas Branigan Library, responded that the library's operating and capital budgets serve different purposes.

St. Clair said the proposed building design included features intended to make library operations more efficient, including changes that could improve staffing efficiency and the use of solar power.

She also thanked city officials for their work identifying financing options and evaluating alternatives.

In earlier reporting by KRWG, St. Clair said completing the renovation and expansion together would be more economical than dividing the work into separate phases.

She acknowledged that residents attending community outreach events had raised questions about the project's cost and parking.

The council's July discussion did not establish a construction start date or a final schedule for temporarily relocating library services.

With the bond approved, the city has voter authorization to pursue the financing needed to move the project forward.

The election results remain unofficial until certified by the state.

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.