Roosevelt County Treasurer warns of scam; clerk sets election dates; commission approves several public proclamations

Roosevelt County Treasurer Layle Sanchez warned the public at the April 23 commission meeting about a fraudulent mailing targeting New Mexico property owners that falsely claimed delinquent taxes and directed recipients to a non-government telephone number that threatened seizure if payment was not made.

"We have received notice of fraudulent letters being sent to New Mexico property owners in Valencia County… The taxpayer would then be threatened with the seizure of their property if they did not pay," Sanchez said, advising property owners to verify tax status directly with the treasurer's office or online.

Clerk Mandi Park said tabulator certification began the morning of April 23, early voting starts May 7 and election day is June 4, 2024. Park also said retention for records related to the 2022 primary has ended and those records will be destroyed in the coming months.

During the meeting the commission approved proclamations for National Correctional Officer Appreciation Week (May 5-11), National Police Week and Peace Officers Memorial Day (May 9-18; Memorial Day May 15), Firefighter's Day (May 4) and Emergency Medical Services Week (May 19-25), and declared May Motorcycle Awareness Month. Sheriff Javier Sanchez acknowledged the recent loss of State Police Officer Justin Hare and offered condolences.

Why this matters: The fraud warning gives residents immediate steps to protect property and payments; election timing and tabulator certification are time-sensitive for voters. The proclamations formally recognize public-safety personnel and memorialize a fallen officer.