Civic Issues
Topics getting the most attention in Nogales public meetings, ranked by how frequently they are discussed.
31 issues
Port Expansion and Downtown Redevelopment
Nogales locals are fighting back against a federal plan to bulldoze parts of downtown for a massive port expansion. If you love the historic vibe or shop local, this project could totally flip the script on our city's center.
Election Administration
Over 200 mail-in ballots vanished during the primary election in Nogales, leaving voters in the dark right as November's general election approaches. City officials are under pressure to explain how this happened and ensure it doesn't happen again.
Mexican Baseball Fiesta Funding Request
Organizers asked the city for extensive financial help, including dozens of hotel rooms, meals, umpire fees, and cash support. The Council drew the line, agreeing to provide only the usual field maintenance and staffing support used in past years.
Delegation of Routine Liquor License Approvals
The City Attorney proposed letting the City Manager approve routine special event liquor licenses to prevent calling extra council meetings. Council members supported the idea as long as they stay informed.
Wastewater Management
The binational wastewater plant that keeps the Santa Cruz River flowing is struggling with high capacity, threatening environmental and health issues on both sides of the border. If we don't fix this soon, Nogales could face serious pollution and regulatory problems.
Employee Benefit Trust Financial Performance & Audit
Blue Cross Blue Shield is phasing out its current network leasing model in favor of a Joint Administrative Agreement (JAA) starting January 2027, bringing higher administrative fees but added national access benefits.
Open Range Laws
As Rio Rico keeps growing, cows roaming free under archaic state open range laws are causing dangerous traffic jams and getting hit on the roads. Locals are finally pushing for a policy update to keep both drivers and livestock safe.
Proposition 417 presentation
Wondering what Prop. 417 is actually about? Santa Cruz County is hosting a quick info session this Wednesday so you can get the facts straight before filling out your ballot.
Finance Director Appointment
Nogales just brought in Casey B. Welch, an ex-USAID official, to clean up and take charge of the city's finances as the new finance director. With big government experience under his belt, he's stepping into a crucial role to manage the local budget.
Public Safety Operations Center (PSOC) Remodel
The city approved major technology and power upgrades for the police department, including a $732,858 fiber network extension and a $149,800 backup generator, funded largely through state and federal grants to ensure 911 reliability during storms.
Nogales Wash Flood Damage and Long-Term Mitigation
County officials reviewed major flood mitigation projects like Ephraim Canyon and upcoming feasibility studies for the Nogales Wash to protect homes from severe storms.
Section 8 Housing Voucher Leasing Pause
The housing authority adopted its 2026 annual plan while noting that federal HUD guidelines recommend pausing new Housing Choice Voucher leasing due to upcoming regulatory changes. Public housing maintains 98% occupancy, but long waiting lists persist.
Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Project Selection
The city is gathering resident and council project ideas for the upcoming CDBG funding cycle to fund local infrastructure, ADA accessibility, and community improvements.
ADOT Equipment Procurement (Water Truck and Street Sweeper)
Nogales is upgrading its public works fleet by securing a new water truck and street sweeper through state transportation agreements, funded primarily by federal grants with a minimal six percent city match.
Home Rule Expenditure Limitation Renewal
The city is asking voters to extend its Home Rule spending authority in November so local leaders can continue managing the municipal budget based on actual projected revenues instead of rigid state caps from 1980.
City Management and Administrative Leadership
The city council voted to terminate City Manager Joel Kramer amid debates over project delays, employee morale, and administrative transparency, subsequently appointing the city attorney as temporary interim manager.
City Manager Recruitment
The city council is actively working to fill the permanent City Manager position, consulting with recruitment specialists to evaluate candidates and procedures.
City Administration
Nogales official Ruiz wants to shake up City Hall leadership by hiring qualified directors to fix local government. It's all about bringing in fresh talent to build a stronger foundation for how the city is run.
Border Security Infrastructure and Concertina Wire
The City Council voted 6-1 to pass a resolution urging the federal government to remove concertina wire within Nogales, citing safety and environmental concerns. Council members debated the phrasing and public input during the vote.
CBP Property Access Agreement for TCA-NGL-1083
The council approved a right of entry agreement allowing U.S. Customs and Border Protection to assess city-owned property near the shooting range in exchange for $5,000.
Santa Cruz Humane Society Support
Facing potential closure of the local animal shelter, the council approved $1,500 in in-kind support for a fundraising 5K event and discussed potential future financial aid under state gift clause rules.
City-County Library IGA and Facility Usage
The city renewed crucial cooperative agreements with Santa Cruz County to operate the public library system and provide joint animal control services.
Utility Asset Management and Potential Forensic Audit
Council members discussed procuring an independent review of city department finances to improve accountability and tighten internal controls, ultimately voting to table the item for further study.
Frank Reed and La Quinta Road Improvement Projects
The city awarded multi-million dollar contracts using state appropriation funds to improve local roads before upcoming monsoon seasons and project deadlines.
FY 2026-2027 Tentative Budget and Reserve Deficit
The city council officially adopted the final municipal budget for the upcoming fiscal year after months of workshops and review, balancing revenues and operational expenses across general and enterprise funds.
Water Fund Solvency and Proposed Rate Increase
The city is applying for a $10 million WIFA loan to help secure an $8 million matching grant from the NAD Bank to replace century-old, asbestos-lined water pipes in the Nogalitos area.
Youth Fire Safety Summer Camp
The Nogales Fire Department is partnering with Santa Cruz County to run a summer camp teaching kids fire safety, teamwork, and firefighting basics.
Nogales International Film Fest In-Kind Support
The city approved in-kind support for the Nogales International Film Fest happening May 14 through May 16, 2026.
Industrial Park Drive Rehabilitation Project
The city awarded a nearly $2.8 million contract to Sunland Asphalt & Construction to rehabilitate Industrial Park Drive, utilizing state grant funding and cooperative purchasing.
EMT Certification Program Equipment Donation
The city agreed to donate an old ambulance and expired medical supplies to help the local community college launch a new EMT training program.
City Council Compensation
Nogales pays its city council peanuts compared to the rest of Arizona, meaning working-class folks just can't afford to run for office. This low pay leads to constant turnover in local government, making it hard to get anything done for the community.