Serving the High Plains
Serving the High Plains
The Quay County Commission on Monday approved a series of six resolutions to increase its budget on its soon-to-close 2018-2019 fiscal year.
The resolutions were presented by county finance director Cheryl Simpson described the resolutions as “housekeeping” items to square its budget for the fiscal year that ends June 30.
The budget increases unanimously approved by commissioners were:
• A $263 increase to the Safety Net Care Pool Fund for “activity not contemplated at the time the final budget was adopted”;
• A $37,000 increase to the Hospital Fund for other operating costs;
• A $3,000 increase to the Rural Addressing Fund to cover a medical insurance premium increase;
• A $24,500 increase in the Debt Service Fund/Road Fund for two additional blade leases;
• A $51,000 increase in the Environmental Fund to purchase three vehicles;
• A $65,000 increase in the Fire Marshal Fund to buy a fire marshal vehicle and fire nozzles for nine fire districts.
In other business, the county commission:
• Heard the annual report for fiscal year 2018-2019 from the Eastern Plains Council of Government’s executive director, Sandy Chancey, The agency assists governments and communities in a seven-county area of northeastern New Mexico with economic development, transportation planning, project development, planning and special projects.
Among its special projects in Tucumcari were a Federal Resources Rural Roadshow and an EPA brownfields workshop to develop the long-closed Shell Truck Plaza. Chancey said EPCOG’s budget for fiscal year 2019 will be $459,636, including income from the sale of rental properties in San Jon. EPCOG also paid off a mortgage, lessening its expenses.
Chancey also said EPCOG is working on being a fiscal agent for small villages. Then-Gov. Susana Martinez in 2013 issued an executive order that all municipalities must have current audits to receive state funds. She said the executive order needs further refinement from current Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham.
• Heard that Presbyterian Medical Services received a $111,920 Rural Primary Health Care grant, about $20,000 more than anticipated. Some of the money will be used to buy a retinal-scan camera to help diagnose diabetes and its complications.
• Assured a representative from the Tucumcari Public Library it again will receive a $2,000 grant from the county. The money will be used for buying books and hiring entertainment for the summer reading program.
• Approved a $24,000 state grant-funding contract with the county DWI program for 2020. Because of the state’s improved fiscal condition, the program will receive a total of $16,000 more than the previous year.
• Heard from road superintendent Larry Moore about the county’s application to the Local Government Transportation Project Fund for nearly $6 million in funding to replace two bridges on Route 66 near San Jon. The program would require just a 5% match from the county. He said more than 50 applications were received for a state pool of about $50 million. Awards are expected to be announced in August.
• Moore said his agency was applying a chip-seal on 6.2 miles of Quay Road AD west of Tucumcari.
• Approved the appointment of three people to the board of Ute Lake Ranch Public Improvement District No. 2. They are Rick Dengler, Neil Simpson and Shannon Robbins.
• County Manager Richard Primrose said a recent letter informed the county its 2018 payroll audit revealed no deficiencies and was “clean.”
• Approved the special-election canvass for the Village of Logan’s June 4 mail-in special election. Residents approved by a 5-to-1 margin a special license for Mama T’s restaurant to serve beer and wine. Rosalie Rachor, village clerk, noted the 46 percent turnout was nearly double the turnout of previous elections.
• Recognized county fire marshal Donald Adams, who is retiring at the end of the month after serving in the post since 2004. They gave him a framed picture of a black-and-white American flag with a red stripe, signifying the “thin red line” of firefighter protection, with his name on it. Lucas Bugg is replacing Adams.
• Went into executive session to discuss threatened or pending litigation and limited personnel matters.
• The county commission’s next meeting is June 28 instead of June 24 to avoid a conflict with a conference.