Ad
BELEN—From wastewater upgrades to public safety equipment to road improvements, the Belen City Council unanimously approved its 2026-30 Infrastructure Capital Improvement Plan last week.
Every year, municipalities across the state create a list of projects to help guide state legislators in allocating capital improvement funding. The ICIP is a critical document that outlines and prioritizes the city’s projects over the next five years.
City leaders will be asking for nearly $37 million from the New Mexico Legislature in the next several years for numerous infrastructure projects.
Belen city councilors approved its list of 11 priorities, including:
1. Wastewater treatment plant rehabilitation: City officials estimates a total of $14,340,000 is needed to rehabilitate the more than 40-year-old facility. The city has already received $3 million from the state, but is seeking more funding to complete the project.
The city expects the funding and the work to rehab the facility to be done in phases, and will be asking for $1 million in 2026, $3.3 million in 2027, $3.9 million in 2028, and $3.1 million in 2029.
2. Firefighting ladder truck: An item that moved up on the city’s ICIP list is a ladder truck for the fire department, which is estimated to cost $2 million. The city will ask for the full amount from legislators during next year’s legislative session.
3. SCADA and system upgrades: The city’s water department uses supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) system to allow system operators to gather and analyze real-time data. The city is asking for a total of $1,278,000 in upgrades, split with $528,000 in 2026, and $750,000 in 2027. The money will also be used for upgrades to several wells and booster pumps.
4. North Belen interchange: The city has been seeking money for a number of years to expand the northern Belen interchange to the west. The city expects the project to cost a total of $10,665,000.
The city has already received $1,665,000, and hopes to phase in the funding in the next two years — $1 million in 2026, and $8 million in 2027.
Ad
5. Wastewater collection system: The city is hoping to invest $1 million in upgrades to its wastewater collection system, specifically a lift station on Rosedale Circle. The city will be asking for $150,000 in 2026, and $850,000 in 2027.
6. Historic facilities rehabilitation: A total of $3 million will be requested for a new roof at the Belen Harvey House Museum and renovation of the old Belen City Hall. This project will also be phased, with $700,000 in 2026, $1,025 million in 2027, and $1.275 million in 2028.
7. Westside booster pump stations expansion: The project, said Belen City Manager Roseann Peralta said will include additional booster pumps on Camino del Llano to assist water flow to the homes being built on the west mesa. The project will cost an estimated $800,000. The project could be funded in two parts — $70,000 in 2026, and $730,000 in 2027.
8. Park improvements: An estimated $1.82 million will be requested from state legislators for improvements to all parks in the Hub City, to include new irrigation systems and tree removal for safety purposes, Peralta said. She said the city will be asking for $1.020 million in 2026, and $800,000 the following year.
9. Roadway improvements: Always a needed appropriation, the city will be asking for $4.5 million for road improvements, including addressing repaving and drainage issues. The city will be asking for $500,000 next year, and $4 million in 2027.
10. Cardiac monitors and defibrillators: The city is wanting to place cardiac monitors and defibrillators in every city-owned building. The council is hoping the state Legislature and governor will appropriate a total of $700,000 for the project.
11. Police department equipment and furnishings: The city will be asking for $300,000 to help pay for furnishings and equipment for the new police station, which the city purchased on Castillo Avenue. The city purchased — with a $2.5 million, voter-approved general obligation bond —two empty buildings (including the old magistrate court) to house the city’s police station. Peralta said the city needs additional funding to furnish and equip the new facility.
