RUIDOSO INSIDER

Council Approvals: Infrastructure, Public Safety & Community Services

November 10, 2025, Village Council Meeting Highlights:

» Approval of Task Order #2024-003P-09 with Bohannan Huston Inc., for Professional Engineering Services on Flood-Damaged Infrastructure that Includes Restoration and Improvements of Local Paved Roadways, Local All-Weather Roadways (gravel roads), Paved and All-Weather Driveways, Culverts, Embankments, Erosion Control Measures, and Retaining Walls

» Approval and Adoption of Ordinance 2025-07, an Ordinance for Automated Speed Enforcement within the Village of Ruidoso

» Approval of Contract for Services Between the County of Lincoln and Village of Ruidoso to Provide Library Services to All Citizens Within the Boundaries of Lincoln County, in the amount of $15,000.00, and approval of a State Grants-In-Aid for Public Libraries Agreement with the New Mexico State Library for Fiscal Year 2026, in the Amount of $10,000.00

» Approval of Proposal from Rymarc Construction Inc., for the Gavilan Canyon Emergency Sewer Line Project, Eliminating the Antiquated White Mountain Lift Station and Tying into a Gravity Fed Line

Next Council Meeting: Tuesday, December 9, 2025, at 1:00 PM in Council Chambers at Village Hall.

The Village of Ruidoso has enacted municipal codes prohibiting property owners from blowing leaves and pine needles into the public right-of-way or streets. This action constitutes illegal dumping and is subject to fines of up to $500. Violators may be charged in Municipal Court under Section 70-5, which relates to unlawful dumping and disposal of yard waste. Lawn service companies must obtain annual business registration and comply with all Village ordinances. Fall is the season for building maintenance, and residents are urged to comply. With pine needles falling rapidly and winter approaching, residents should maintain yards without impacting neighboring lots, public right-of-way, or streets.

Code Enforcement has received numerous calls about leaf blowers displacing pine needles. Property owners must ensure that all yard waste from private property is properly disposed of. Pine needles can be hauled to dumpster sites or placed next to dumpsters, but must not be placed under electrical power lines where collection trucks cannot reach them. Public Works maintains clear drainage to prevent flooding and downstream property damage.

The Village seeks compliance rather than citations. However, pine needles blocking sewer drains create water pollution issues, and their accumulation near structures poses fire hazards. Residents are encouraged to properly dispose of pine needles to protect the community’s safety and infrastructure.

At the Municipal League’s Annual Conference in Ruidoso in September, the League membership formally approved legislative priorities for 2026, following meetings of the League’s policy committee over the summer. Legislative priorities for 2026 focus on infrastructure investment, local fiscal stability, and protecting municipal authority. The 2026 legislative session is a 30-day session, meaning that legislation is limited to budget- related bills and bills on the Governor’s agenda or “call,” and League priorities in 30-day sessions tend to be narrower.

Key priorities for the 2026 session:

» Investing in Water Infrastructure: Support for appropriations to the Water Project Fund to help close the gap between available funding and the more than $600 million in project applications.

» Streamlining Water Project Approvals: Allowing the Water Trust Board to directly approve eligible Water Project Fund projects without waiting for legislative approval on specific projects, speeding up funding for shovel-ready infrastructure and avoiding costly construction delays.

» Defending Municipal Revenues: Opposing proposals that continue to erode municipal Gross Receipts Tax (GRT) revenues. Protecting GRT remains a top priority, as it serves as the primary source of revenue for most municipalities and is essential to funding public safety, infrastructure, and essential community services. Tax credits and deductions for industry continue to erode municipal revenues.

» Protecting Local Decision-Making: Defending local control against state preemption efforts that limit municipalities’ ability to manage issues such as zoning, taxation, public safety, and housing policy. The League will advocate for local flexibility to craft solutions that reflect the diverse needs of New Mexico’s communities.

The Ruidoso Emergency Operations Center and Intermittent Response Program was recently honored as the recipient of the Emergency Management Award at this year’s New Mexico Infrastructure and Finance Conference (NMIFC).

This recognition highlights the incredible teamwork, innovation, and dedication of everyone who has supported ongoing efforts to strengthen Ruidoso’s resilience from wildfire recovery to flood response and long-term recovery planning.

This success reflects the spirit of “One Village - One Response,” neighbors helping neighbors, agencies working side by side, and a community committed to protecting one another through every challenge.

Many thanks to the NMIFC planning committee for recognizing Ruidoso’s commitment to collaboration and preparedness. And kudos to every department, partner agency, and volunteer who continues to make this work possible.

The Ruidoso Emergency Operations Center and Intermittent Response Program was recently honored as the recipient of the Emergency Management Award at this year’s New Mexico Infrastructure and Finance Conference (NMIFC).

This recognition highlights the incredible teamwork, innovation, and dedication of everyone who has supported ongoing efforts to strengthen Ruidoso’s resilience from wildfire recovery to flood response and long-term recovery planning.

This success reflects the spirit of “One Village - One Response,” neighbors helping neighbors, agencies working side by side, and a community committed to protecting one another through every challenge.

Many thanks to the NMIFC planning committee for recognizing Ruidoso’s commitment to collaboration and preparedness. And kudos to every department, partner agency, and volunteer who continues to make this work possible.

The Village of Ruidoso has compiled a list of the Top 10 capital projects adopted in the Infrastructure Capital Improvements Plan (ICIP), which includes the Top 5 priority projects submitted for capital outlay dollars during the upcoming legislative session.

The State of New Mexico Property Control Act defines a capital outlay project as the acquisition, improvement, alteration, or reconstruction of assets of a long-term character intended to be held or used. This includes land, buildings, machinery, furniture, and equipment. Capital outlay funding cannot be used for any of the following: retroactive reimbursements of previous purchases, operating expenses, salaries, materials, supplies, events, brochures, pamphlets, or publications.

The Top 10 Projects identified include:

1. Workforce Housing

2. Bridge Replacement Projects

3. Street and Drainage Improvements

4. Sewer Line Rehabilitation

5. Sewer Line Extensions

6. Water and Sewer Line Extensions to Include Streets and Drainage

7. Removal of Trees and Water Shed Improvements

8. Damage Improvements/Flood Hazard Mitigation

9. Rio Ruidoso Restoration/Flood Hazard Mitigation

10. Alto Dam Compliance & Improvements.

Season’s Greetings from the Ruidoso Valley Chamber of Commerce! We are looking forward to this year’s Festival of Lights Parade on Saturday, December 6, at 5:30 PM. The theme for the parade is “A Muppets’ Christmas”. We can’t wait to see all the creative floats and hopefully a Miss Piggy and Kermit or two!

Please remember to shop local this holiday season. Our local retailers have great gift ideas for those hard-to-shop-for loved ones. From a bottle of wine or bourbon from Noisy Water Winery or WPS; beautiful jewelry from any one of our local jewelers such as Apache Trader, Tanner Tradition, Mitchell’s, or Desert Opals; a fabulous outfit from shops like 25th in Mid or JRoberts; or a gift certificate to a favorite restaurant like Texas Club, Rancher’s Steakhouse, or Cattle Baron, there are so many options to choose from. You will certainly find the perfect gift right here in Ruidoso.

Each year during the Legislative Session, the Ruidoso Valley Chamber of Commerce holds a Legislative Reception in Santa Fe. This year, the reception will be on Wednesday, February 4, at the Drury Plaza Inn in Santa Fe. This is your chance to speak one-on-one with our legislators and Cabinet Secretaries and their staff. It is important for Lincoln County residents to attend this reception and help make our voice heard in Santa Fe. Please consider joining us in Santa Fe on February 4. Advance tickets are $50. Contact the Ruidoso Valley Chamber of Commerce for more information or to sponsor this event.

We would like to wish everyone a holiday season filled with love and peace. Remember, sometimes the gift of kindness can be the greatest gift of all. If you would like to become a member of the Chamber and help support the organization that supports this community, please contact us at 575-257-7395 or visit us in our new location inside 1ST National Bank at 451 Sudderth Drive.

Progress Continues at 603 Mechem Drive. Construction at the 603 Mechem Drive workforce housing project is progressing, with driveway work complete and new site improvements underway. Crews are installing curbs, rock swales, drainage systems, and a detention pool. All utilities are in place, with punch-list work to follow. The project supports Ruidoso’s commitment to expanding affordable workforce housing.

Read More →

Ruidoso Municipal Schools Advance Major Campus Improvements Districtwide

Ruidoso Municipal Schools is moving forward with a wide range of campus upgrades designed to enhance learning, safety, sustainability, and school pride.

Highlights include the new state-of-the-art Culinary Arts kitchen at Ruidoso Middle School, upgraded athletic scoreboards and NFHS livestreaming, outdoor classroom improvements at White Mountain Elementary, districtwide solar installations, planned field renovations, and upcoming facility upgrades at Ruidoso High School.

These investments reflect the district’s continued commitment to student success and community-focused growth.

Read More —>

Fall is in full swing. Leaves are changing colors, and the weather is getting cooler. However, the weather was perfect for the Midtown Halloween event. Cheerful crowds from Ruidoso and surrounding cities enjoyed trick-or-treating and safe Halloween fun.

Thank you to all the Midtown businesses and the businesses beyond Midtown that came out to make the afternoon a success! And a special thanks to all the sponsors and those who came through with candy donations!

In November, RMA and the Village of Ruidoso partnered with the Small Business Administration (SBA) and the Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management (DHSEM) to host a presentation at Downshift Riverside on the programs available for disaster recovery support for small businesses, non-profits, homeowners, and renters. Representatives from both organizations helped participants understand the qualifications and the process for helping our community.

Christmas is just around the corner, and the RMA Christmas Mixer is set for 6:00 PM on Wednesday, December 17, at Win Place & Show. There will be a one-and-done white elephant gift exchange, axe-throwing, and bourbon tasting as part of the holiday fun!

For year-round safety, be sure to sign up for weather alerts and Village of Ruidoso notifications at CallMeRuidoso.com. These updates are helpful for all seasons. Winter is coming!

Lincoln County Medical Center (LCMC) plays a vital role in safeguarding the health and safety of its community, especially during times of crisis. Disaster preparedness is a cornerstone of the hospital’s mission, ensuring it can respond swiftly and effectively to a range of emergencies, from natural disasters to mass-casualty incidents and public health threats. As the Ruidoso community has seen in recent years, making sure our hospitalis ready to continue to serve our community is of utmost importance.

Disaster preparedness at LCMC begins with robust planning, including hazard assessments. The hospital adopts an “all-hazards” approach, meaning it prepares for a wide variety of potential threats, including floods, wildfires, infectious disease outbreaks, and chemical spills. Additional potential hazards considered include communications and power outages, equipment malfunctions/breakdowns, and weather-related events such as snow, blizzards, ice, and windstorms. These plans are regularly updated to reflect new risks, best practices, and lessons learned from previous incidents both locally and nationally.

After identifying possible threats, LCMC staff prepare plans to manage potential incidents. Plans include loss of communication, electricity, and water, and a lack of staff availability due to potential impacts on transportation, such as flooding and road closures. For example, LCMC quickly developed backup communications systems after the communication failures that occurred during the South Fork/Salt Fires. LCMC now has various satellite systems in place to allow limited communication if a similar event occurs in the future.

In the event of an electricity failure, LCMC maintains a backup generator with over 96 hours of fuel to maintain hospital operations. For water, LCMC has agreements with a company to bring in a potable water supply that can be connected to LCMC’s plumbing system. LCMC also updates staff communication methods to include current cell phone and personal email addresses, ensuring contact can take place if a primary or common method is unavailable. These communication preferences are identified when new staff are hired, and existing staff are encouraged to review and update annually to ensure as much current information as possible.

Preparation requires practice. LCMC regularly conducts disaster drills that simulate real-life emergencies. These exercises range from table-top discussions to full-scale simulations involving local fire, police, and emergency medical services. Staff members are trained to recognize their roles, adapt to rapidly changing situations, and communicate efficiently during a crisis. Drills provide invaluable opportunities to identify gaps in response and improve coordination. They also foster teamwork and build confidence, so when a real emergency strikes, staff are ready to work together efficiently under pressure. It is our intention and goal for patients and visitors to have confidence in our ability to care for our community, regardless of any internal or external emergencies that take place.

Although we all hope we will not see events like those Lincoln County has experienced over the last 2 years, Lincoln County Medical Center is committed to ensuring your hospital remains available during trying times.

ENMU-Ruidoso was recently selected as one of 15 nationwide recipients to join Year 7 of the prestigious Metallica Scholars Initiative. Supported by a generous $70,000 grant aimed at enhancing the non-credit wildland and structural fire academies and credit-bearing Fire Science degree pathway.

This initiative will directly serve: volunteer firefighters seeking foundational certification and advancement, recent high school graduates pursuing public safety careers through degree and non-degree pathways, dual credit high school students seeking early entry into fire service pathways and industry-aligned credentials, rural residents and tribal community members who face geographic and economic barriers to training access, veterans and career changers entering fire service with transferable skills, and current first responders and emergency personnel seeking upskilling, advanced certifications, or academic credit for prior learning to improve their professional mobility and leadership readiness.

According to the Vice President of Student Learning and Success, Coda Omness, “The funds will directly support approximately 30 students through scholarships, enrollment in new short-term fire academies, and expanded student support services.”

Stay Connected with Ruidoso

Mondays with the Mayor
Tune in to 1490Krui.com at FM 99.1 and AM 1490 radio every Monday from 8:00 – 10:00 AM to hear the latest from Mayor Lynn Crawford. Feel free to call or text with your questions.

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• Website: ruidoso-nm.gov

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