EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) — The Doña Ana County Board of County Commissioners unanimously voted to take steps to end the agreement that created the Camino Real Regional Utility Authority.
The Board of County Commsisioners took the vote at its meeting on Tuesday, May 13.
The County said it is giving the City of Sunland Park immediate notice of its intent to terminate the joint powers agreement (JPA) that created CRRUA.
Board of County Commissioners Chair Christopher Schaljo-Hernandez said it was “for mutual benefit to all parties.”
The County said it “quickly notified” the City of Sunland Park after the Commission’s vote and will follow up with a formal, written notice.
The most recent version of the JPA was amended in 2024 and the agreement’s termination provisions require parties to notify each other, if they wish to terminate the agreement, the County said.
County staff will work with the City of Sunland Park to develop a plan for a transition and for dividing assets and debt of the utility, the County said.
Until that process is completed, CRRUA will continue to operate the water and wastewater services in the southern area of the County and within the City of Sunland Park, the County said.
“It is difficult to estimate how long this process will take to stand down CRRUA. The County intends to assess CRRUA’s system assets to determine needs and priorities,” the County said.
“We are committed to being transparent in this process and keeping utility customers informed. We will also explore ways in which we can provide short-term assistance to residents,” County Manager Scott Andrews said. “We will share more details as soon as we can and move forward in community (meetings), working with our state stakeholders, including the Governor’s Office, the New Mexico Border Authority and others, as needed.”
We have reached out to CRRUA for comment.
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