Moriarty City Council Approves Zoning Change for Commercial Development Near Airport
The Moriarty City Council approved a zoning change on February 12, 2026, that will clear the way for commercial development on four lots near the Soaring Museum and municipal airport, though the vote revealed some lingering concerns about the city's limited manufacturing zones.
The council voted 3–0 to rezone lots 1, 2, 9, and 10 of Block 3 in the Industrial Park Addition from M-1 (Manufacturing) to C-2 (Heavy Commercial), after reconsidering an initial 2–1 vote in which Councilwoman Robin Spaulding voted against the measure.
"Tractor Supply is interested in purchasing" the property, Mayor Steve Anaya said during the meeting. The four lots are located directly east of the Soaring Museum, just behind it as the road leads toward the sewage treatment plant.
Spaulding initially opposed the change, expressing concern that rezoning land away from manufacturing could create future complications if the intended tenant vacates. "I mean, if we wouldn't have to change the zoning, then it wouldn't be an issue at all if they didn't continue in business," she said.
However, after consulting with the city's planning and zoning staff, Spaulding moved to reconsider the vote. Planning Director Maria Martinez clarified that while some zoning categories overlap, the retail operations proposed for the site require C-2 designation and cannot operate under M-1 rules. If future circumstances required manufacturing use again, the city could simply return the property to M-1 through the same process, Martinez noted.
The matter followed a public hearing required by state law for rezoning decisions.
FY 2024 Audit Accepted; System Improvements Underway
The city also accepted its FY 2024 independent audit, marking a step forward in resolving a backlog that left Moriarty operating outside normal financial reporting systems.
Auditor Chris Garner told the council that the city had to work outside its financial system to complete the 2024 audit rather than wait for corrections to resolve issues dating to prior years. "If we would have tried to get the system cleaned up, we would still be back on '23," Garner said.
The council approved Resolution 25-26-14 to officially accept the audit. Garner said the city is investigating a plan to fully implement its financial system going forward, potentially establishing a cutoff point to move beyond the backlog. "We're hoping that in the month of March, we can get it done," he said, noting the process might extend slightly into April.
Public Works, Fire Approvals
The council approved a pay increase for Public Works employee Andy Elias in connection with his new Level 1 Wastewater Certification. Elias's hourly rate was adjusted from $19.63 to $21.60, effective at the next pay period, a three-step increase that Public Works Director Jeff Tapia said reflects the employee's professional development.
The council also approved an increase in the TLC estimate for wastewater emergency repairs to $118,368.76. The new quote represented a significant savings compared to previous estimates because TLC is already mobilized at the work site, allowing additional repairs to be completed at minimal additional cost. The original quote for the same work had been approximately $110,000; the new estimate adds nearly another manhole repair for roughly $8,000.
In Fire Department business, the council approved Resolution 25-26-16, authorizing the sale of a fire truck, and a $25,000 budget adjustment for nominal fees and fire department stipends. A $10,000 budget increase for a fire department incentive program was also approved, funded from the health and medical line item.
The council deferred action on a merit increase for fire department driver-pump operators pending staff review.