An organization representing the governments of all 33 counties in New Mexico is hoping to see state funding set aside for the building, upkeep, and renovation of district courthouses across the state.
The group, New Mexico Counties, hopes to see funding secured for such efforts during this year’s short session of the New Mexico State Legislature, which will start business on January 16 and wrap things up one month later.
Noting the ongoing expense of building and upgrading those courthouses, New Mexico Counties wants to see lawmakers establish a fund of some $20 million for such work.
Although county magistrate courts and state district courts often share space in larger combined judicial complexes, it is the counties that usually foot the bill for maintaining such facilities.
“This is something that we have considered as an unfunded mandate for many years,” Joy Esparsen, the executive director of New Mexico Counties, recently remarked to legislators.
In a document submitted to the Revenue Stabilization & Tax Policy Committee last month, it was noted that state district courthouse construction can often “reach well over $50 million, and the addition of a single judge can cost a county $2 to $3 million for renovation and increased operational support.”
The New Mexico Counties document also asserts that maintaining district courthouses should be regarded as an increasing state responsibility, adding that the “rising costs of construction, security, and IT necessitate a shared revenue stream.”
By Garry Boulard
