Alamogordo City Commission Approves Animal Control Fee Increase, Passes Subdivision Ordinance on First Reading

Alamogordo, NM — The Alamogordo City Commission held its regular meeting on Tuesday, May 12, 2026, at 6:30 p.m. at City Hall, addressing animal services, land development regulations, economic development funding, personnel matters, and other city business.

Consent Agenda and Animal Control

The commission approved the consent agenda after removing Items 3, t and 7. Animal Control Manager Dwain Martinez and Alamogordo Police Department Lieutenant David McColley presented an update on the Animal Control facility. Commissioners then approved Resolution 2026-12, increasing fees for various Animal Control services.

Subdivision Regulations

The commission gave first reading approval to Ordinance 1724, which repeals Chapter 22 and adopts updated Subdivision Regulations under Chapter 20 of the Alamogordo City Code. The ordinance passed on a 6-1 vote, with Commissioner Josh Rardin casting the lone “no” vote.

Rardin disclosed that his company, Rardins Construction, receives subcontracting work from White Sands Construction. He asked if any commissioners objected to his participation in the discussion and vote. No objections were voiced, and the commission proceeded. Rardin presented a half hearted attempt ar transparency and disclosure when it came to the vote. A Government Ethics professor and attorney watching the commission meeting with Alamogordo Town News from Vanderbilt University suggested a cleaner ethical approach would have been for Rardin to disclose his White Sands Construction subcontractor status before dialogue began and to then recuse himself from dialogue and thr vote - but that's academic and not the reality of Alamogordo. 

LEDA Funding Discussion

Discussion regarding the final allocation of remaining Local Economic Development Act (LEDA) funds was tabled until a future meeting. Commissioners requested additional information before proceeding. Commissioner Rardin expressed opposition to using LEDA funds for the demolition of derelict properties, though the ordinance  permits such expenditures.

City Manager Hiring and Executive Session

The commission considered entering executive closed session to discuss limited personnel matters related to the ongoing search for a new City Manager. After confusion regarding who had requested the session and its exact purpose, the commission voted unanimously not to enter executive session. Rardin asked who requested the meeting. Staff suggested he did, he then backtracked and alluded that it was a misunderstanding. 

Sources tell Alamogordo Town News that pending litigation threats and a May 20, 2026 deadline concerning ethics complaints over alleged executive session abuse and transparency issues surrounding the City Manager hiring process factored into the decision not to proceed with closed session. Multiple state ethics complaints have been filed regarding open meetings violations related to the city manager contract specifically naming Rardin, Burnett and Al Hernandez , and the city faces a May 20 deadline to respond to a letter advising of potential litigation in the 12th Judicial District Court.

Golf Course Operations

Multiple city employees addressed the commission, expressing strong opposition to any potential complete privatization of golf course maintenance and operations.

Sources tell Alamogordo Town News that the employee union has threatened litigation over the privatization proposal. Additionally, several employees have filed a harassment complaint against Commissioners Josh Rardin, Stephen Burnett, and Al Hernandez. Outside counsel has been procured to investigate these complaints. None of this information was disclosed to the public during the meeting but was sourced and shared via IPRA requests. 

The meeting also included community presentations, board and commission appointments, public comment, and other routine city business.

For complete details, including the full agenda packet, supporting documents, and any available recording, visit the City of Alamogordo’s CivicClerk portal:

https://alamogordonm.portal.civicclerk.com/event/3080/files/agenda/3899

The Alamogordo City Commission typically meets on the second and fourth Tuesdays of each month. Future agendas and outcomes will continue to shape local development, public services, and city administration.

More News from Alamogordo

• Alamogordo Veterans Gathering at Trinity Turtle Healing Labyrinth Park This Saturday Join this Saturday...
• Alamogordo Drug Bust: White Mountain Task Force Seizes Methamphetamine and Fentanyl, Arrests Edward John Poist Arrest yields 175.59 grams of methamphetamine and approximately 1 gram of fentanyl powder