Magdalena Village passes key funding, postpones marshal promotion

The Magdalena Village Board of Trustees met on July 14 to review budget motions, approve infrastructure-related grants, and hear public concerns over village spending and law enforcement training.

Finance Officer Michael Steininger presented a series of budget adjustments that included the formal closure of the Correction Fund and the Court Fee Fund, both discussed in earlier meetings. He also outlined expense increases in several accounts due to overspending in the general fund.

Among the approved motions was; a fire fund adjustment reflecting grant dollars used for the purchase of a new fire truck, revenue increases for the senior center, aimed at offsetting recent payroll expenses, minor library budget adjustments backed by grant funds, project account additions for village matches and overlooked expenses, ambulance fund updates covering insurance revenue and repairs, overspending and travel adjustments for the water fund, revenue and expense coverage for the wastewater department.

“We’re hoping that we will not have to address this in two weeks when we have the budget and the quarter report,” said.

The board also accepted several grant-funded projects; an $80,000 Rural Infrastructure Revolving Loan Program grant from NMED will fund a preliminary engineering report. “This is a hundred percent grant,” said Mayor Rumpf, a $75,000 grant, previously received in November, supports engineering and planning for water upgrades, the village accepted $43,859.65 for the Magdalena Public Library, and a rubber tire roller was approved for runway maintenance. Mayor Rumpf explained, “The south end needs some water and rolling… this machine will make it safer for airplanes.” He also clarified that this equipment will not cost any money as it was a transfer from Truth or Consequences as they have purchased new equipment.

During discussion regarding promoting Sergeant Brian Waterman to Chief Deputy Marshal, Village Trustee Donna Dawson voiced concerns about the lack of a job description. “We have marshals and deputies, we have nothing else according to the ordinances,” she said.

Mayor Rumpf said that all the officers had rank over the 10 years he has been here, but confirmed he would will double-check on it.

The board voted to postpone the promotion.

During public comment resident Teri Winchester raised concerns about police spending as outlined in the revenue report.

“They went over 854% in one area, another one 328%. Even though they get the bulk of the revenue of the village, plus $98,000 from the Law Enforcement Protection Fund, they can’t stay within their budget,” Winchester said.

She pointed to training expenses specifically, suggesting in-state options would be more cost-effective.

“It seems like they were taking a lot of extra training,” she said, referencing narcotics investigator sessions initially scheduled for Las Vegas and now set for Rio Rancho. Mayor Rumpf replied that no decision had been made yet on attendance in Rio Rancho and that the training in Las Vegas had been canceled.

Another resident asked for updates on studies that would be used to achieve grants to upgrade infrastructure around the village, and Mayor Rumpf confirmed that preliminary work on engineering reports was already in motion.

“The funding for Revolving Water Fund—the grants have opened today,” Rumpf said. “We’re hoping to get in the list for this year for water and sewer funding for the projects that are indicated by the engineering report.”

Rumpf explained the process, “They provide estimates of funds required for engineering and construction, and they use that to go to the State for funding.” When asked how fund estimates were being determined, Rumpf clarified, “They’ve been working on it. Now that it’s official, they will have these reports done in time to get us into the funding cycle.”