Tucumcari to Resume Water Bills After Halt

City resolves technical issues, plans to replace all water meters this summer.

Mar. 18, 2026 at 12:00am

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The city of Tucumcari, New Mexico will begin issuing water bills this week after halting them last fall due to discrepancies and computer glitches. All customers are expected to receive their bills by April 1, covering the period from January to March. The city will also issue separate bills for outstanding balances from late 2025, but a moratorium on water-account shutoffs and late fees will remain in effect until May 1.

Why it matters

The resumption of water billings is crucial for the city's finances, as Mayor Marcy Willis noted that a recent spending freeze made it important for the city to generate income. The issues with the water billing system had caused significant disruption for residents, and the city's efforts to resolve the technical problems and replace aging water meters demonstrate its commitment to providing reliable service.

The details

City Manager Renee Hayoz assured commissioners that the bills could be issued before the end of March, and she estimated that city staff had largely resolved the technical issues with the meter-reading program and the city's Tyler Technologies platform. The city had initially identified about 700 problematic water meters, but that number was down to around 340. The city is planning to replace all of its water meters with ultrasonic meters this summer.

  • The city will begin issuing water bills this week.
  • All customers should receive their bills by April 1.
  • The moratorium on water-account shutoffs and late fees will remain in effect until May 1.

The players

Renee Hayoz

The city manager of Tucumcari, who assured commissioners that the water bills could be issued before the end of March and provided updates on the city's efforts to resolve the technical issues with the billing system.

Marcy Willis

The mayor of Tucumcari, who recommended that customers who will have problems paying the balances should come to City Hall and make payment arrangements.

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What they’re saying

“Thank you to the public for bearing the brunt of our problems.”

— Marcy Willis, Mayor

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Walker Reed Quinn out on bail.

The takeaway

The resumption of water billings in Tucumcari highlights the city's efforts to address technical issues and improve its water infrastructure, demonstrating its commitment to providing reliable and transparent service to its residents.