Preview the Lodger's Tax Funding App, Planned Electricity Outage, Burro's New Star, Weekend Events, and More
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Lodger’s Tax Advisory Board Meeting: Preview the Application
The Lodger’s Tax Advisory Board (LTAB) met yesterday, Tuesday, June 3rd, with one item on the agenda: finalizing the LTAB-recommended Village of Cloudcroft Application for Lodger’s Tax Funds to submit for the Council’s approval. Check out the draft below:
Recently, we wrote about the Lodger's Tax tensions in Cloudcroft that arose over years of mismanagement.
With over $200,000 in available tourism funds, questions grew over whether the Village should continue automatically channeling tourism dollars “like they’ve always done” without competitive bidding.
VoC Interim Budget Turned into State
The Village submitted the interim budget for the ‘25-’26 fiscal year to the state on time.
“There will be a public meeting for the budget at some point. Before, everything was in printed spreadsheets. You’d get a packet with like 80 tabs. So I’m working on a dashboard. It’s gunna have piecharts. Right now it’s set up on the Local Government Business Management System (LGBMS),” said Mayor Tim King.
On the decision to digitize the budget for the council, King says:
“On the LGBMS, there are funds, then accounts. And all the stuff in everybody’s budget has to be cross-walked into the LGBMS. It’s 800 fields. Or, you can upload a spreadsheet. You can upload it after everything matches up and is balanced.”
“You’ll be able to click on the pie chart, like Parks and Recreation for example, and it will switch all of the visuals to show what that is.”
“I want to have this done. I don’t see any other way to do this. Flipping back and forth from 80 tabs—it’s hard to keep track of everthing. I want to have it charted and edited in real time.”
The final version of the budget is due to the state July 31st.
The next Village Council will meet on June 17th at 6:00 p.m. at the village chambers.
News: Planning and Zoning Meeting
P&Z met this morning, Wednesday, June 4th, with a full docket:
Current P+Z Commission Chair Leah Ross is resigning her post on June 30th. A new chair will be appointed from within the commission, opening a vacant seat for a new member.
Interested volunteers for the P+Z Commission can soon submit their letter of interest through the Village GIS Dashboard for Mayor Tim King to consider them for appointment.
Planned Power Outage on Tuesday, June 24th
Otero County Electric Cooperative (OCEC) crews will be taking an outage to replace a structure on the transmission line that feeds the Cloudcroft Substation on June 24, 2025 from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
From an OCEC members e-mail:
“All OCEC members in Cloudcroft, Timberon, Pinon, Weed, Mayhill, Sacramento, James Canyon and Hwy. 244 coming out of Cloudcroft will be without power during this time.”
“A structure on the transmission line feeding the Cloudcroft Substation must be replaced after being vandalized by gunfire, severely compromising the integrity of the structure.
Your patience while this critical work is done is appreciated.”
From Stage to Studio: Inside The Little Gallery with Trey McCurley
Actor and artist Trey McCurley has opened The Little Gallery, a vibrant new art space tucked between Aspen & Ivy and The Fat Rabbit on Burro Avenue.
The gallery showcases McCurley's bold abstract paintings alongside local landscapes by the Reader’s Contributing Editor Drew Gaines.
McCurley found his "good middle space" in New Mexico after 16 years in LA…
Your Wednesday Review continues after this brief message. Thank you to our sponsor, High Altitude:
Events this Weekend: Trails & Rails, Distillery Grand Opening, and More
The Cloudcroft Runner’s annual Trails & Rails race at the Trestle Recreation Area, including a 1-mile Kid’s Dash, kicks off this coming weekend, June 7th. Register and find out more about the race, here.
The NM Rails-to-Trails Association annual Poker Hike kicks off Saturday, June 7th from the Trestle Recreation Area Depot to celebrate National Trails Day, where folks collect their winning hands along a 2.2-mile hike. Find out more and register here.
The Distillery at Cloudcroft Brewing Company hosts their grand opening party on Saturday, June 7th, with bands, food trucks, and pet-friendly patio, and more. Bonus: if you save your receipt from The Distillery, Cloudcroft Brewing Company, The Grand Cloudcroft Hotel, High Altitude, Black Bear Coffee, & Mad Jacks BBQ from June 6th-8th, receive a 10% discount at any of these businesses all weekend long.
Café Au Lait Food Truck will serve signature beignets, café au lait, and Louisiana red beans and rice with cornbread from the Aspen Falls Venue in High Rolls on Thursday, June 5th from 6:00-8:30 p.m.—or until they sell out.
Watch the Reader’s new mini-doc:
Joy of Weaving: Joan and the High Valley Weavers
Reporter Drew Gaines visits Joan Nussbaum, a critically acclaimed fiber artist, and the High Valley Weavers. This short video focuses on her work and how she nurtures the weaving community from the basement of Cloudcroft's Old Red Brick Schoolhouse, helping preserve and grow a rich tradition of local artistry.
Your Wednesday Review continues after this brief message. Thank you to our sponsor, The Stove and Spa Store:
Reader Reels: June Showers
Cloudcroft and much of the upper Sacramento mountains receive a good batch of rain.
Reader Reels: Birding in Cloudcroft
Bird is the word.
Thank you to our sponsor, PVT:
Promote Your Business
Learn about sponsorship opportunities for your business in support of the Reader. Contact us for more information at sponsorship-info@cloudcroftreader.com
Cloudcroft Reader is proud to be sponsored in part by great companies like:
Cloudcroft Sandwich Shop
In the heart of downtown Cloudcroft, New MexicoTularosa Communications
Internet that keeps you connected.The Stove and Spa Store
We offer a variety of services to ensure your hearth and spa dreams are met!The Lodge at Cloudcroft
Landmark Choice Among New Mexico ResortsDusty Boots Motel and Cafe
Have a beautiful, restful nightNew Mexico Rails-to-Trails Association
We Convert Abandoned Railroad Lines Into Recreational TrailsLaughing Leaf Dispensary
Discover a world of wellness at Laughing LeafInstant Karma
Adventure Within: Transformative Yoga, Ayurvedic Wisdom, Nourishing Organics, Fair Trade BoutiqueOff the Beaten Path
Eclectic gifts & original artworkFuture Real Estate
Raise your expectations.Ski Cloudcroft
Pizza and Summer Tubing start July Fourth!Cloudcroft Therapeutic Massage
Maximizing Movement, Quality of Life ImprovementHigh Altitude
Your favorite little outdoor outfitter on Burro AvenueBlushing Yucca Esthetics
Luxury facials, full body waxing, and brow servicesThe Elk Shed
Purveyors of Southwest Mountain Goods & FineryDown Under Groundwater Surveyors
We find water for youPeñasco Valley Telephone Cooperative
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