Village Budget, Elections Info, School Updates, Ruidoso Floods, High Altitude Classic, and More
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Making the Budget: 9 Big Votes
The Village council met last night, Tuesday, July 29th, to continue discussions on the village’s finances—and to cast votes on the next fiscal year.
The 2025-2026 projected revenues for the general fund are $1.78 million, a “conservative estimate” delivered by High Water Mark’s Karen Gutierrez, part of the financial triage team contracted by the village.
Here are nine motions that passed unanimously by the council:
To “catch up” to competitive pay rates for the surrounding area, the council approved 15-30% raises for the current Water Operators and Public Works crew. The water, wastewater, and sewer payroll was approved at $542,000, which includes salary and wage increases and two vacant positions with starting wages of $18 per hour with full benefits.
The council approved a budget of $608,504 for payroll for four full-time police officers—a sum for salaries, with no capital outlay or equipment included, accounting for 34% of the projected General Fund.
A partial Lodger’s Tax Allocation passed. The approval is through the end of December, with conditions for review of how the money is spent. A re-evaluation will occur from January to June 2026 to determine if the village is getting their money’s worth.
The Municipal Court budget was accepted at $20,090.
The Finance budget was accepted at $400,686, which includes Karen Gutierrez’s contracted service and two full-time positions with benefits: Finance Director Sylvia Hall and one vacant Finance Clerk.
The Library budget was accepted at $91,054, which includes Director Sandra Barr’s position and also accounts for Barr’s triple duties as the Planning & Zoning and Court Clerk.
The Community Center budget was accepted at $18,000, which provides maintenance and janitorial service costs for the Old Red Brick Schoolhouse. The Community Center includes everything in the building but the Library and Teen Center rooms, which are funded through the Library budget.
While the village’s Motor Vehicle Department (MVD) remains closed for the time being, the motion to approve the MVD budget passed, in hopes of renewing the service in Cloudcroft.
In a first for Cloudcroft, the council voted to increase the governing body budget to $29,850, with $15,000 explicitly earmarked for governing body compensation, which can only begin at the next election cycle. If the money is evenly split between the mayor and trustees, it comes out to an annual stipend of $3,000 per council seat.
The council meets again on Thursday, July 31st, at 6:00 p.m. to vote on the final budget.
We will review the discussion highlights surrounding the council’s decisions over the weekend.
Election Year: Dates and Numbers
The 2025 Regular Local Election is on Tuesday, November 4th.
Candidate filing day for all local offices is Tuesday, August 26th, between 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. in the offices of the Otero County Clerk.
Seven major Cloudcroft seats are up for election this year: mayor, two 4-year trustee positions, one 2-year trustee seat, two school board seats, and judge.
6 Takeaways: July Cloudcroft Schools Board of Education Meeting
Cloudcroft Schools' midsummer updates. Plus: Cloudcroft Bears lend a helping hand in Ruidoso.
Join the PAC
The Pickleball Addicts of Cloudcroft (The PAC) supports a healthy, friendly pickleball experience at Zenith Park courts. Follow/join us on Facebook, 300+ strong.
Take Note: Upcoming Village Meetings
Special Council Meeting Thursday, July 31st, 6:00 p.m.
Otero County Electric Cooperative Annual Members Meeting Saturday, August 2nd at the CHS Gym, 10:00 a.m. (Registration begins at 8:30 a.m.)
Planning and Zoning Wednesday, August 6th, 9:00 a.m.
Parks and Rec Monday, August 11th, 6:00 p.m.
Planning and Zoning Special Meeting Tuesday, August 12th, 9:00 a.m.
Fire/EMS Meeting Wednesday, August 13th, 6:30 p.m.
Village Council Meeting Tuesday, August 19th, 6:00 p.m.
Cloudcroft Schools Board of Education Tuesday, August 19th, 6:00 p.m.
Check it Out: Library Relaunch
Ruidoso Flooding Update
By Jonny Coker
Southern New Mexico Journalism Collaborative
Catastrophic flooding struck the mountaintop village of Ruidoso on July 8, 2025, after a downpour on burn scars left in the wake of two wildfires a year earlier.
The flooding destroyed homes and businesses along the Rio Ruidoso and killed two children and one man.
Village officials say the back-to-back disasters of 2024 and 2025 have been overwhelming.
And residents whose properties are in shambles question what's next.
Jonny Coker is a Multimedia Journalist with recent reporting for KRWG Public Media and the Southern New Mexico Journalism Collaborative. He recently moved to Cloudcroft.
Wednesday Review continues after this brief message. Thank you to our sponsor, Tularosa Communications:
Photos: Bigfoot Scavenger Hunt Hike
Village of Cloudcroft July Council Meeting
ICYMI: Catch up on topics like money, water, grants, the library, proposed ordinances, and personnel matters.
High Altitude Classic: Open Registration
Check out Reader videos on YouTube for short reports, mini docs, and more.
Shady Pines Open this Weekend
Cloudcroft Ultra: Saturday, August 16th
The Cloudcroft Ultra 53k, 9.5 mile, 4.75 mile and a 1 mile Kid's Dash trail races are back!
The 53k, 9.5 & 4.75 mile races are on the Rim Trail (T105). Cloudcroft Ultra Organizer Cloudcroft Runners note that “the Rim Trail was the first U.S. Forest Service Trail in New Mexico to be designated as a National Recreation Trail. It is a combination of old Indian paths, railroad grades, homestead trails and logging routes linked together by newer section built in the 1960’s and beyond.”
The Kid's Dash will be a 1 mile loop around Zenith park. All races will start and finish at the Pavilion in Zenith Park.
ICYMI:
What's Going on in Cloudcroft? Find out with Our Summer Field Guide
Stay up to date with Cloudcroft’s businesses, fresh offerings, and family-friendly events on the mountain this summer.
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