Encino Village Council adopts five-year capital plan, advances East Side Water Project design contract

ENCINO — The Encino Village Council adopted a five-year infrastructure funding plan, approved a corrected contractor quote for pump house repairs, and advanced the design phase of a major water line extension project at its regular meeting Tuesday, June 9, 2026, at the Encino Government Offices, 527 North Main Street.

Mayor Elias Sanchez presided over the meeting, which opened at 6:00 PM MDT. Council members present included Mayor Pro Tem Victor Gallegos, Herman Garcia, and Corine Perez. Clerks Mary Aragon and Angel Sanchez also participated.

Council adopts first-year priorities under five-year capital plan

The council approved Resolution 26-06, adopting the village's Infrastructure Capital Improvement Plan (ICIP) for fiscal years 2028 through 2032, in a roll-call vote, with Gallegos, Perez, and Garcia voting in favor.

Aragon told the council the village had only fully developed first-year funding requests within the five-year plan. Those priorities included the following:

• A new HVAC system for the entire Village Hall, with a funding request of $140,000
• Window replacements on the front and side of the building, with a request of $400,000
• Door replacements and gutter work at the Town Hall, Village Hall, and community center, with a combined request of $200,000

Sanchez raised the possibility of adding a village vehicle to the plan, but Aragon noted the village may receive separate funding for a vehicle as early as July through a different funding cycle, distinct from the ICIP request.

During discussion, council members said the state has shortened the window municipalities have to spend capital outlay funds before losing them, a change Aragon attributed to guidance from a state contact identified in the meeting only as "Debbie."

As previously reported by the Mountainair Dispatch on April 21, 2026, the village began identifying ICIP priorities at its April meeting, when officials were first asked to begin compiling project requests for the 2028–2032 cycle.

Pump house quote approved after billing error corrected

The council approved a corrected quote from Aisling Company for upgrades to the village pump house, project number 25-J2476. Aragon said the original quote double-billed the village for use of a high-reach boom truck; the corrected total is $51,109.64.

Council members said Aisling Company is the only contractor willing to travel to Encino for the work, which will involve resealing and refinishing the exterior of the pump house to prevent water intrusion through deteriorating surfaces. The contractor will subcontract door work separately. The motion passed without opposition.

Community center upgrade quote tabled

A related quote from Aisling Company for community center upgrades, project number 25-J3187, was tabled until the council's next meeting after the company did not submit the quote in time for this meeting.

East Side Water Project design contract advances

The council approved moving forward with the scope of services and cost for design-phase engineering work on the East Side Water Project, to be performed by Souder, Miller & Associates. Keaton Chancellor, with Souder, participated by phone.

The design phase covers a water line replacement tying into the village's existing state-regulated water line south of US-285, along with a survey of all existing water meter locations to help guide future meter replacement work. The project also includes installing at least one new fire hydrant; council members discussed installing a second hydrant near a trailer court.

Officials said $75,000 is currently available for the project through a water association grant, with $70,000 of that covering the design contract itself. The design firm will incorporate existing village water system mapping from a previous contractor and provide updated maps to the village on a USB drive. Additional funding will be sought once the design and cost projections are complete. The motion passed without recorded opposition.

Routine business

The council approved bills payable for May 2026 without discussion. It also approved a one-year extension of its annual audit contract with Scott Northam, the final year under the current agreement, at the same price as last year, $11,909.63. Aragon said the cost remains within budget.

Insurance quote delayed; vehicle purchase nearing close

Aragon told the council that New Mexico Mutual has submitted additional questions on the village's insurance application, delaying a quote. If a quote is not received soon, the village plans to make minimum payments to the New Mexico Self-Insured Fund to maintain coverage. Aragon said several insurers have been exiting the state's self-insured pool, slowing the process for smaller municipalities. A special meeting may be called before the end of June if a quote arrives.

Angel Sanchez reported continued progress on a vehicle purchase, with closing expected in early July, and said the village's budget submission remains under review by a state analyst with no response yet received.

Fire hydrant repair needed on Sixth Street

Herman Garcia told the council that a fire hydrant at Sixth Street and US-285 has a worn valve component that is allowing water to rise into the hydrant barrel, requiring it to be kept partially open to relieve pressure. Garcia said the council needs to decide whether to shut the hydrant off entirely until repairs are made or continue operating it as-is while seeking bids for replacement parts.

Gallegos suggested contacting a contractor who has experience rebuilding similar valves for other local water systems. Garcia said the fire department maintains shutoff valves and a master key for each hydrant in the village and plans to create a written log and map of hydrant locations to keep in village vehicles, with a backup key retained at the fire department.

Fire department responds to 120-acre fire, drainage complaint pending

Garcia reported that the fire department responded to a fire at Packer Ranch approximately two weeks before the meeting, burning roughly 120 acres before it was contained. A second call, the following Saturday, prompted by a report of smoke in the area, did not result in a fire being found.

Public and council comments

During public comment, a resident identified as Milo thanked village staff for community cleanliness efforts and commodity distribution assistance, and noted appreciation for the community's support following a recent local funeral. He also asked about the Packer Ranch fire's proximity to the community; council members confirmed it did not threaten village structures.