With early voting underway and the Nov. 4 local election approaching, Aztec residents are weighing their choices for city commission seats in Districts 4 and 5, with District 2 uncontested.
In interviews conducted by the Tri-City Record before last week’s candidate forum at the Aztec Senior-Community Center, five candidates – ranging from the current city manager to a dance studio co-owner – shared their visions for the city’s fiscal future, infrastructure priorities and community character.
As Commissioner Colby King steps aside, the race features contested and unopposed seats, setting the stage for a reshaped commission amid shifting economic and civic challenges.
Early voting runs Oct. 7-17, 7 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., and Oct. 18-Nov. 1 at the San Juan County Clerk’s Office, 100 S. Oliver Drive in Aztec.
The candidates include Jeff Blackburn and Katie Burnett-Buhholz in District 4; Ken George, the incumbent mayor pro tem, and Brett Lanier in District 5; and Jason Cortez in District 2, who is unopposed after King’s withdrawal.
Blackburn, Aztec’s current city manager whose contract was not renewed, is opposed by Burnett-Buhholz, co-owner of Inspire Dance Academy. George serves as mayor pro tem; Lanier works in the oil and gas industry; and Cortez is employed by San Juan County Public Works as a truck driver.
Candidates were asked how they would address fiscal priorities and trade-offs, balance growth with community character, and plan for long-term infrastructure needs.
Blackburn, District 4: “I’ve developed this whole budget, not just filled in some Excel sheet that was handed down to me. I have redone the whole budget so I know where all the money is at all the time.”
Lanier, District 5: “Well, first of all, obviously, the Commission decides as a whole to do that. So it’d be getting with them and discussing that and getting with the head of departments and seeing what we can afford to cut.”
George, District 5: “Well, No. 1 is my whole focus when it comes to city government is you’re as strong as your people. In the past, when I worked for the city (27 years), when there were budget cuts, it happened at the employee level. I will fight for every employee we have.”
Burnett-Buhholz, District 4: “If we’re looking at the shortfall, probably from unexpected things that came up, the first thing would be to meet with finance and see where we’re at with, you know necessary projects and see what can be paused, if needed,” said Burnett-Buhholz. “But really, I think when budget deficits come up, that’s when you put your staff to work and start reaching out to organizations and asking for assistance and looking for grants.”
Cortez, District 2: “Well, my methodology would be to get with the other Commissioners, and we would discuss it as a group, and we would go from there.”
Blackburn: “So it has to be a combination things … right now we’re focusing on outdoor recreation because the extraction business has left us.”
Lanier: “You gotta start by with the leadership of the commission itself, when you have that a solid foundation of that empowers and enables the city staff, the city manager, the head of departments, do and really shine at what they’re doing in those positions.”
George: “Well, part of it comes with this new Arterial that we’re building,” said George. “Once we can get the trucks off Main Street, then I envision Main Street (Ave.) being full of walkable people shopping in little shops.”
Burnett-Buhholz: “I think first and foremost, we really need to look at what what’s in place, what needs maintenance, and what’s going to come up with maintenance. What’s coming up in the long run, we really need to make sure that the foundation is good before we can grow.”
Cortez: “I think that would that would entail more community businesses, more local shops,” Cortez said. “I’d like to see Aztec becoming more pedestrian friendly for the shop. I’d like to see the Farmers Market moved from where it’s at now to a different location where it’s accessible.”
3. What do you believe is Aztec’s most pressing long-term infrastructure challenge?
Blackburn: “I think it’s our water distribution and our water return system. That’s your water and wastewater, right.”
Lanier: “Oh, man. Keyword there is infrastructure. That’s our utilities in general. That’s a pressing issue for me personally, because looking down the road like when my kids are there, stuff’s only getting more expensive, our utilities, our streets, our water, sewage, all that stuff.”
George: “It is our Arroyo. We need to get on fixing up the Arroyo. That Blanco Arroyo just scares the heck out of me. I’m telling you,” said George. Well, I was here two times and it flooded and it came all the way down to City Hall.”
Burnett-Buhholz: It’s probably not popular, but I know electric and water are huge right now,” said Burnett-Buhholz. “I believe the challenge is going to be staff, our biggest challenge right now.”
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