Do na Ana County launches update to Plan 2040 and invites public input
May 29, 2026 | Doña Ana County, New Mexico
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Do na Ana County is beginning an update to its long-range comprehensive plan, "Plan 2040," county Community Development Director Christina Ainsworth said on the county podcast. The county has issued a request for proposals and is evaluating proposers; formal outreach and public-engagement events will follow once a contractor is selected.
Ainsworth described Plan 2040 as the county's long-range policy guide: "The guiding document for our department and for a lot of aspects of the county is the comprehensive plan and that's plan 2040." She said the plan looks 30 to 40 years into the future and informs decisions on rezoning, special-use permits and infrastructure priorities.
Why it matters: the comprehensive plan shapes where growth and public investments occur. Ainsworth cited the county's recreation bond as an example of an outcome stemming from the plan, saying residents asked for more recreational opportunities and facilities.
What will happen next: the county is early in its update process. "Right now we're very early in the process. We just put out an RFP. We're looking at evaluating the proposers," Ainsworth said. She said the update is intended as an amendment rather than a complete rewrite and will focus on sections that have changed, noting growth in areas such as Santa Teresa.
How residents can participate: Ainsworth said the county will publish schedules and materials on its website and social-media channels and will hold public hearings and workshops. She recommended watching P&Z agendas (the Planning and Zoning Commission handles initial review) and county news channels for announcements about hearings, surveys and town-hall-style events.
Process and scope: Ainsworth described the original plan as a multi-year, multi-method effort that included mapping, demographic analysis and community visioning. She said the update will revisit areas where development patterns or demographic trends have shifted and will collect targeted public input to inform policy changes.
Next procedural steps: the Planning and Zoning Commission will typically review proposed amendments in two or three sessions before forwarding a recommendation to the BOCC (Board of County Commissioners). Ainsworth said the county will post P&Z agendas in advance so residents can find meeting times and participate.
The county is not yet taking formal votes on Plan 2040 amendments; Ainsworth framed the current RFP and evaluation as the administrative step that precedes contractor selection and public engagement.
Ainsworth described Plan 2040 as the county's long-range policy guide: "The guiding document for our department and for a lot of aspects of the county is the comprehensive plan and that's plan 2040." She said the plan looks 30 to 40 years into the future and informs decisions on rezoning, special-use permits and infrastructure priorities.
Why it matters: the comprehensive plan shapes where growth and public investments occur. Ainsworth cited the county's recreation bond as an example of an outcome stemming from the plan, saying residents asked for more recreational opportunities and facilities.
What will happen next: the county is early in its update process. "Right now we're very early in the process. We just put out an RFP. We're looking at evaluating the proposers," Ainsworth said. She said the update is intended as an amendment rather than a complete rewrite and will focus on sections that have changed, noting growth in areas such as Santa Teresa.
How residents can participate: Ainsworth said the county will publish schedules and materials on its website and social-media channels and will hold public hearings and workshops. She recommended watching P&Z agendas (the Planning and Zoning Commission handles initial review) and county news channels for announcements about hearings, surveys and town-hall-style events.
Process and scope: Ainsworth described the original plan as a multi-year, multi-method effort that included mapping, demographic analysis and community visioning. She said the update will revisit areas where development patterns or demographic trends have shifted and will collect targeted public input to inform policy changes.
Next procedural steps: the Planning and Zoning Commission will typically review proposed amendments in two or three sessions before forwarding a recommendation to the BOCC (Board of County Commissioners). Ainsworth said the county will post P&Z agendas in advance so residents can find meeting times and participate.
The county is not yet taking formal votes on Plan 2040 amendments; Ainsworth framed the current RFP and evaluation as the administrative step that precedes contractor selection and public engagement.
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