Lordsburg council may form quorum at Santa Fe advocacy events next month

A notice issued by the City of Lordsburg on January 16 says a quorum of the Lordsburg City Council may attend Hidalgo Day and Municipal Days in Santa Fe from February 3 through February 5, 2026. The stated purpose of the trip is advocacy for Hidalgo County and its communities, and the notice makes clear that no official business will be conducted and no action will be taken while council members are at the events.

Municipal Days and Hidalgo Day bring local officials to the state capital to press for county needs and to meet with state lawmakers and agencies. For Lordsburg, travel to Santa Fe offers a concentrated opportunity to seek attention for Hidalgo County priorities at a time when many municipalities are making their case for funding, regulatory flexibility, and program support. The bilingual notice, provided in both English and Spanish, signals an outreach approach aimed at Hidalgo County’s diverse communities.

The potential for a quorum to be present at the events triggers legal transparency obligations under state open meetings expectations. By issuing the public notice, Lordsburg officials are informing residents that several council members may be away at the same time but will refrain from conducting deliberations or voting while in Santa Fe. That is intended to prevent inadvertent violation of open meetings rules and to keep residents informed about where elected officials will be during those dates.

Local impact will be practical as well as symbolic. Residents who planned to meet with council members in person should note the dates, and any regular city meetings or constituent appointments may be rescheduled or handled by city staff. At the same time, county stakeholders seeking state support for infrastructure, public safety, broadband, or other services may find the concentrated advocacy in Santa Fe a useful avenue to elevate Hidalgo County’s needs.

For Hidalgo County voters, the episode underscores the balance small rural governments must strike between attending statewide advocacy events and maintaining local governance rhythms. Watch for any subsequent notices from Lordsburg on meeting schedules or reports back from council members after the trip, when officials describe what they learned and what state options may be available for local projects.