Moriarty City Council takes stock of 2025, sets infrastructure priorities for 2026
The Moriarty City Council convened its first regular meeting of the year on January 14, 2026, welcoming two newly-seated councilors and receiving a wide-ranging year-end report from Mayor Steve Anaya outlining city accomplishments in 2025 and priorities moving forward.
Mayor outlines 2025 accomplishments
Mayor Anaya delivered a detailed department-by-department review of city operations in 2025, describing the year as one of “transition, stabilization, and forward movement” following leadership changes and staffing challenges.
According to the mayor, city leadership transitioned after the former mayor, Brandon Webb, resigned in September 2025. Anaya was appointed in October 2025, and two new councilors were elected in November 2025. He said city operations continued without interruption during the transition.
With respect to public safety, Mayor Anaya said that the police department saw a decrease in calls for service, from nearly 8,000 the previous year to approximately 4,910 in 2025. Staffing declined from 11 officers to eight, including the chief. The city approved a 75 percent Public Employees Retirement Association (PERA) contribution to support recruitment and retention and invested in new equipment, including two vehicles. The department also secured more than $108,000 in grant funding.
The fire department responded to 1,226 calls in 2025, which Mayor Anaya described as an eight percent increase over the prior year, including more than 800 emergency medical service calls and over 500 transports. The department maintained 12 full-time staff and 13 volunteers, completed 276 building inspections, and conducted 24 training sessions. The department also achieved an ISO rating of three and secured more than $1 million in grant funding.
Anaya recounted that the city’s Public Works Department addressed wastewater treatment plant deficiencies, secured emergency and transportation funding for sewer and street repairs, and coordinated planning for Grissom Park and Mountain View Cemetery. The city also submitted a $10 million Water Trust Board application for wastewater treatment plant improvements.
In finance and administration, Anaya said that the city submitted its 2023 and 2024 audits, completed a citywide compensation study, addressed the departure of the city’s clerk, adopted new financial policies, and implemented a new cash receipting system projected to save approximately $20,000 annually. Anaya also noted that the city library secured more than $80,000 in grant funding.
Anaya said that the municipal court processed 311 cases in 2025 and conducted four weddings. Airport operations averaged between 32,000 and 34,000 annually and hosted multiple major events. Airport staff helped bring aviation-focused STEM programming to Moriarty High School and secured $1.1 million in grant funding.
Regarding economic development, Mayor Anaya said that the city reported issuing 76 new housing permits - more than double the number from the previous year - and six commercial permits. Anaya said the growth supports long-term commercial development and increased gross receipts tax revenue. The city also hosted the Pinto Bean Fiesta in September.
Lodgers tax revenue totaled approximately $166,674, slightly down from the prior year. The Lodgers Tax Committee awarded five grants totaling $21,508.
2026 priorities emphasized
Looking ahead, Mayor Anaya stated that infrastructure was the city’s top priority for 2026, particularly streets, sewer, and water systems.
He said the city will develop five-year plans for street improvements, sewer upgrades, and water infrastructure. Anaya said he was exploring sustainable funding sources for road maintenance. The city is also working with the Department of Transportation on Route 66 right-of-way issues and potential interchange improvements, which could require long-term planning and significant funding.
Anaya said that system planning would include reviewing existing water rights, evaluating the need for a new well, and breaking the city’s 40-year water plan into shorter implementation phases.
Additional priorities include improving audit timelines, reviewing employee pay and benefits to support retention, expanding public safety coverage, evaluating city assets for better utilization, increasing community events, obligating remaining capital outlay funds, reviewing economic development strategies, and updating the city’s comprehensive plan, last completed in 2012.
Public comment requests transparency measures
During public comment, a resident speaking on behalf of a newly formed group, Citizens and Friends of Moriarty, requested improvements to public access to city information. Suggestions included posting digital agenda packets and supporting documents online, archiving approved minutes alongside agendas, exploring video recordings or livestreaming of meetings, improving website functionality, and publishing infrastructure and planning documents for public review.
The speaker also suggested using the lodgers’ tax funds to place Route 66 Centennial flags along Main Street.
The mayor requested a copy of the letter for inclusion in the meeting record.
Council approves multiple purchases and events
The council approved several expenditures and actions during the meeting, including:
- Use of grant funds to purchase an additional agricultural drone for airport operations
- Authorization to host a regional glider competition at the airport in September
- Replacement of a pump motor for Well No. 5 and purchase of 30 new water meters
- Disposal of expired alcohol inventory at the civic center, pending legal and audit review
- Approval of a $600,000 fire apparatus purchase funded through a state grant
- Approval of a $113,130.87 final payment related to fire station construction, with reimbursement expected from federal funding
Mayor Anaya announced that the council will hold a special organizational meeting and workshop on January 21, 2026, at 6:00 PM, to review the budget and capital outlay projects.