ROSWELL NEW MEXICO
AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT
AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT
Item No. 15.
Regular City Council Meeting
- Meeting Date:
- 09/10/2026
COMMITTEE:
Legal
CONTACT:
C. Josh Nairn-Mahan
CHAIR:
Cristina Arnold
ACTION REQUESTED:
Ordinance 26-08: Hold a public hearing on the proposed Ordinance 26-08: Amending Fines and Penalties in the City of Roswell Code of Ordinances. (Arnold/Nairn-Mahan)
BACKGROUND:
Initiated by: Councilor Will Cavin
From time to time, various issues arise that need to be changed within some City Ordinances. This Ordinance seeks to increase penalties for certain criminal or traffic infractions, align City Code with State Law provisions, and correct various errors and omissions that have inadvertently been included in previous versions of the Ordinances. In part, the need for some of these changes to the penalty assessments is in response to HB 139, which eliminated court fees. The increase in these penalty assessments seeks to correct that unfunded mandate.
From time to time, various issues arise that need to be changed within some City Ordinances. This Ordinance seeks to increase penalties for certain criminal or traffic infractions, align City Code with State Law provisions, and correct various errors and omissions that have inadvertently been included in previous versions of the Ordinances. In part, the need for some of these changes to the penalty assessments is in response to HB 139, which eliminated court fees. The increase in these penalty assessments seeks to correct that unfunded mandate.
FINANCIAL CONSIDERATION
See Fiscal Impact below.
Elimination of court fees caused revenue for the courts to drop, and this would seek to restore some or all of that missing revenue.
Elimination of court fees caused revenue for the courts to drop, and this would seek to restore some or all of that missing revenue.
LEGAL REVIEW:
The City Attorney drafted this Ordinance.
BOARD AND COMMITTEE ACTION:
The Legal Committee recommended approval by a vote of 5-0 at its meeting on May 28, 2026. The Public Safety Committee recommended approval by a vote of 4-0 at its meeting on June 16, 2026.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION:
Proceed as presented.