Serving the High Plains
Serving the High Plains
The Tucumcari City Commission at a special meeting Thursday postponed a discussion of limiting or banning the use of some airborne fireworks and heard a review of the city’s interim budget for fiscal 2019, which starts July 1 and ends June 30.
The commissioners decided to delay discussion of any fireworks ban after City Manager Mark Martinez pointed out that the ban could only be in place for 30 days.
A ban that began Thursday could only remain in effect until June 30, which would not affect fireworks use on July 4.
Commissioners directed City Clerk Angelica Gray to put a hearing on a proposed fireworks ban on the agenda for its next regularly scheduled meeting June 14.
As presented, the ban would prohibit the use of “missile-type rockets, helicopters, aerial spinners and stick-type rockets.”
According to the proposed text that would ban such fireworks in some parts of the city, any prohibition of fireworks use would be in response to dry conditions due to continued drought.
In presenting the interim budget for the 2018-20-19 fiscal year, Rachelle Arias, city treasurer, said it projects the city is likely to spend $200,000 more than it takes in, but the deficit will be covered by cash reserves.
District 1 Commissioner Ralph Moya said the city should not be in a deficit situation, and repeated a call for financial reports at every city commission meeting.
In discussion that followed, Arias said she could provide reports monthly, and other commissioners seemed to agree that monthly reports would be practical.
The commission also agreed to buy a three-year insurance policy for municipal airport operations for about $15,000. The insurer would be the Chubb company.
The policy would cover up to $1 million in personal injury, malpractice, or “war, hijacking, and other perils,” among other liabilities, according to policy documents.