Finances & roads

Finances & budget

GCNA is funded almost entirely by annual dues from lot owners, and nearly all of it goes to keeping Gallina Canyon Road passable: grading, gravel, repairs and snow plowing. Here’s where the money came from and where it went. Any member may ask to see the full accounting.

$400

Annual dues per resident lot

27 of 90

Lots that paid dues (about 30%)

$10,850

Income in 2025

Income and spending

2024

Income: $12,252

Road grading, gravel and repairs: $9,950
Snow plowing: $3,100
Accounting: $217
Other: $10
Total spending: $13,277

Net: –$1,025

2025

Income: $10,850

Road grading, gravel and repairs: $4,500
Snow plowing: $2,500
Other: $500
Total spending: $7,500

Net: +$3,350

2026 so far (as of October 9)

Dues received: $8,700 from 19 lots (includes some prepaid and adjusted payments)

Road grading, gravel and repairs: $5,000
Snow plowing: $1,250
Other: $20
Spent so far: $6,270

Coming up: road grading this fall, about $3,000–$4,000, and a snow-plowing reserve for the winter. Plowing will likely cost more this year: GCNA needs a new plowing contractor, and a strong El Niño is forecast, which often brings heavier snow to northern New Mexico.

Why 2024 ran over budget: several flash floods washed out a section of the road, and heavy equipment was needed to rebuild it. Reserves from earlier years covered the difference, which is exactly what reserves are for.

Where the money goes

Combined spending for 2024 and 2025: $20,777.

Road grading, gravel and repairs · $14,450 (70%)

Snow plowing · $5,600 (27%)

Accounting and other · $727 (3%)

A typical year’s budget

Over the last two years, keeping the road open has cost about $10,400 a year. But both winters were unusually dry, so snow plowing cost far less than normal. In a heavy snow year, today’s dues of about $10,800 would fall short, with nothing left for improvements or emergencies.

Road grading, gravel and repairs: about $7,200
Snow plowing: about $2,800 (dry winters)
Accounting and other: about $400
Total: about $10,400 a year

Snow plowing will likely cost more this winter. Along with a return to normal snowfall, GCNA needs a new plowing arrangement because the neighbor who has plowed the road can no longer do it.

What more participation could do

Today about 3 in 10 owners pay for a road everyone depends on, and dues barely cover minimal maintenance. At today’s rates ($400 per resident lot, $200 per land-only lot), full participation would bring in about $29,600 a year instead of $10,800. With more owners contributing, GCNA could:

  • Grade the road more often to keep ruts and washboard under control.
  • Gravel the rough sections of the road.
  • Add culverts and drainage to prevent washouts instead of repairing them.
  • Keep snow plowing reliable through heavy winters without extra assessments.
  • Build an emergency reserve so the next flood repair doesn’t drain the account.
  • Then lower dues for everyone. Once the improvements are done, full participation would cover today’s budget at about $146 per resident lot and $73 per land-only lot.

Help keep the road open

Dues are $400 a year for resident lots; land-only lots pay a reduced rate. You can also add an optional tax-deductible donation.

Pay dues See the road maintenance plan

Questions about the finances? Contact the treasurer.

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