Serving the High Plains
Serving the High Plains
QCS Staff writer
It was a good day for Quay County’s fire departments Monday as the County Commission approved the purchase of a $240,000 water tank truck for one department and application for $295,000 in grant funds for three others.
The commission formally submitted its application to purchase a 3,000-gallon water tanker fire truck for the Quay Valley/Quay Fire District. The apparatus will be paid for with $170,000 in funds from the New Mexico Finance Authority and $70,000 in accumulated grant funds set aside for the purchase, according to County Manager Richard Primrose.
The commission also approved applications for grant funds from the 2017 Fire Marshal Fire Protection Grant to buy trucks and equipment for the Jordan, Forrest and Rural 1 fire districts.
Jordan is applying for $175,000 to buy a brush truck used to fight grass fires.
Forrest is seeking $300,000 for an initial attack truck, a somewhat larger fire truck, Primrose said.
The Rural 1 Division has asked for $85,000 in self-contained breathing apparatus tanks, which firefighters use when they enter a burning building to fight flames within. In addition, Rural 1 is seeking $35,000 to purchase extrication equipment to free auto accident victims from wreckage, Primrose said.
The commission also approved a resolution supporting legislative priorities from the New Mexico Association of Counties.
According to an NMAC document, Quay County has joined the association in supporting:
• A change in the state’s whistleblower act that would put more restrictions on the conditions under which a whistleblower claim can be filed.
• Assurances that all technologies using 9-1-1 services contribute equally to the state’s 9-1-1 fund.
• Removal of ”unreasonable burdens” placed on law enforcement agencies in forfeiture cases, and allow law enforcement agencies to retain forfeited property under some circumstances, clarify proper use of forfeiture and ensure due process rights for all parties.
• Recommendations that allow county commissioners to review and approve non-government organizations’ capital outlay funds and their impact on county finances before submission to the legislature, and suspend acceptance of 2017 capital outlay funds for purchasing vehicles, information technology and any outlay expenditure of less than $50,000.
The commission also approved a contract with Mis Amigos, a Tucumcari social services firm, and the county in which Mis Amigos will pay rent of $500 a month to the county.
Larry Moore, the county’s road superintendent informed the commission that construction has begun on repaving Quay Road 63, also called Cemetery Road, for about 4,000 feet west of the cemetery.
