N.M. Stat. § 49-9-11
[Attorney's fees; method of payment.]
It is hereby made the duty of the mayor and city clerk to ascertain the amount of
indebtedness outstanding on account of attorney's fees for services rendered in behalf
of securing title to the land grant of such city and certify such indebtedness to the city
treasurer, who shall register the same in his books, giving the description and form of
such indebtedness; if in bonds, the number, the amount, rate of interest, when due and
date of issue. The mayor and city clerk shall endorse on such evidences of
indebtedness issued in payment of attorney's fees, hereinbefore mentioned, the
following:
"The within evidence of indebtedness has been issued in payment of attorney's fees
for services rendered in behalf of securing title for land grants for the city of Socorro."
Such evidence of indebtedness shall constitute a preference claim against the said
city and a lien upon its lands and the city treasurer is hereby required upon presentation
of such evidence of indebtedness so certified in whatever form the same may be, to pay
the interest or principal when due out of any moneys on hand, except the water interest
funds, and said city is hereby authorized to sell any portion of its lands and apply the
proceeds thereof to the payment of the indebtedness hereinbefore mentioned.