San Juan County to Host First Stakeholder Meeting for Growth Management Plan Update
San Juan County will hold its first public Stakeholder Meeting on Wednesday, March 5, at 6:00 p.m. at Artifacts, located at 302 E. Main St., Farmington, NM 87401.
The meeting marks the beginning of the County’s effort to update its Growth Management Plan, a guiding document that helps shape future development, land use, infrastructure, and community priorities. County officials are inviting community members, partners, and stakeholders to attend and provide input as this important planning process gets underway.
The gathering will offer attendees an opportunity to connect , discuss priorities, and collaborate on a shared vision for the future of San Juan County. Officials emphasize that public participation is essential to ensuring the updated plan reflects the needs and goals of the community.
Community members are encouraged to mark their calendars and attend. For more information, please contact Steven Saavedra at (505) 334-4266 or Michele Truby-Tillen at (505) 334-4719.
San Juan County Commission Fights for Future of Horse Racing in San Juan County
Following the Tuesday, February 17 San Juan County Commission meeting, Commissioners have directed staff to seek judicial review of the New Mexico Gaming Commission’s decision to relocate Western Gaming’s horse racing and casino license to Clovis, NM.
On February 10, 2026, the New Mexico Gaming Commission approved a requested relocation of the racing license issued to Western Gaming to operate SunRay Park & Casino. The request by Western Gaming would end San Juan County’s long heritage of horse racing at a county-owned facility.
San Juan County Commissioners believe there was not a full and fair opportunity to participate in the proceedings before the decision. As a result, the proceedings were fatally flawed.
“We intend to continue to fight for the families of San Juan County by keeping jobs, families, and a positive economic impact here,” said San Juan County Commission Chair Sam Gonzales.
San Juan County will file a petition to ask a district court judge to review the decision to approve the relocation of the Western Gaming racing license.
Sunray Park and Casino has leased 92 acres at McGee Park since 1997, in space previously known as San Juan Downs. Horseracing has been taking place there since the 1980s. Western Gaming’s lease of the SunRay Park & Casino portion of McGee Park is set to expire in September of 2027. San Juan County is committed to continuing to honor the terms of the lease until it expires.
McGee Park serves as the County fairgrounds and hosts more than 1,200 events per year, including weddings, rodeos, and meetings for non-profits. Operations of McGee Park will not change, and any standing reservations will continue to be honored. The San Juan County Fair will continue to be held at McGee Park.
HOME Improvement Program Now Open
Housing New Mexico | MFA is pleased to announce that the waiting list for the HOME Improvement Program opened on January 5, 2026. This program provides financial assistance to income‑eligible homeowners in underserved counties who need critical home rehabilitation. Eligible improvements include structural repairs, health and safety upgrades, accessibility modifications, and major system replacements. The program helps maintain safe, livable homes and supports the preservation of our communities.
Program Details at a Glance:
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Eligibility: Homeowner‑occupied residences; household income at or below 80% of Area Median Income (limits vary by county)
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Application Submission: Begins January 5, 2026. The program will remain open until further notice; awards will be made on a first‑come, first‑served basis
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Counties Served: Guadalupe, Harding, Los Alamos, McKinley, Quay, Rio Arriba, San Juan, and Union
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Key Repairs Covered: Structural rehabilitation; roofing; plumbing; accessibility modifications for elderly or disabled persons; repair or replacement of major systems
For more information or to request materials, please contact Brittany Coats at bcoats@housingnm.org or 505-767-2233.
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Hot Topics
As spring approaches, and many of us have already been out in the warm weather, we are encouraging you to be Septic Safe!
Not everyone has a septic tank, but if you do, it is the time of year to be septic safe. This includes:
- Find and mark your septic tank lid
- Inspect the lid for broken or missing parts, bolted down or locked, and make sure it is not broken.
Keep the lid secure
- NEVER leave an open lid unattended
These steps prevent any unnecessary deaths from septic tank accidents in our area.
Learn moreonline at SepticSafeSJC.com
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SJCSO Spot
Deputy VerHaar, our SRO for Central Consolidated School District, restarted the D.A.R.E. program this month at Kirtland Elementary School and Judy Nelson Elementary School! This program gives kids the tools they need to make good decisions and stand up to peer pressure in multiple areas of their lives as they grow up - including saying NO to drugs.
Great job to Deputy VerHaar we can't wait to see how this program takes off in San Juan County!
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 Slow Down for School Buses
Nearly every morning and afternoon, Monday through Friday, we see these buses all over our community, transporting youngsters to and from school. They're equipped with multiple ways to tell you to SLOW DOWN and STOP!
Here's a quick excerpt from New Mexico's Motor Vehicle Law Statute 66-7-347: Overtaking and passing school bus.
The driver of a vehicle upon approaching or overtaking from either direction any school bus which has stopped on the roadway, with special school bus signals in operation, for the purpose of receiving or discharging any school children, shall stop the vehicle at least ten feet before reaching the school bus and shall not proceed until the special school bus signals are turned off, the school bus resumes motion or until signaled by the driver to proceed.
Every bus used for the transportation of school children shall bear upon the front and rear thereof a plainly visible sign containing the words "School Bus" in letters not less than eight inches in height.
The driver of a vehicle upon a highway with separate roadways need not stop upon meeting or passing a school bus which is on a different roadway or when upon a controlled-access highway and the school bus is stopped in a loading zone which is a part of or adjacent to such highway and where pedestrians are not permitted to cross the roadway.
Long story short, stop for the school bus and help keep our community's youngest residents safe!
San Juan County is Hiring!
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Are you looking for a fulfilling career where you can Build A Stronger Community?
See our current openings at SJCounty.net/jobs |
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