County approves intent to pursue industrial revenue bonds for Rio Grande Solar project

Doña Ana County commissioners voted to approve a resolution expressing the county's intent to issue taxable industrial revenue bonds to support construction of the Rio Grande Solar LLC project and to publish notice of intent to consider an ordinance authorizing the issuance.

Economic development staff described the bond proposal and introduced bond counsel. Bond counsel said statutory provisions drive payments‑in‑lieu‑of‑tax (PILOT) apportionment to school districts within the county and explained charter schools do not directly impose property taxes and therefore are not automatic PILOT recipients under the statute.

Commissioners discussed whether community benefits or negotiated allocations—such as support for flood control or charter school funding—should be considered. Commissioners requested research and a future work session on establishing consistent community benefit language for future IRBs. The board approved the resolution (one commissioner abstained); the resolution was assigned number 2025‑142.

The action is an intent resolution that initiates public notice and ordinance drafting; final authorizations and any PILOT terms would be determined in subsequent ordinance and agreement approvals.