Quay approves infrastructure plan

The Quay County Commission without discussion Monday approved its county infrastructure and capital improvement plan for fiscal years 2021 to 2025.

The plan serves as a wish list for when the New Mexico Legislature awards money for capital-outlay projects. Though the county can list items for the next five fiscal years, the summary details projects only for 2021 and 2022. Each item also is ranked by priority.

Two changes occurred since the commission's public hearing Aug. 12 about the proposed list.

A bridge on old Route 66 between San Jon and Endee was removed from the list because the county recently received a $3.08 million state grant for it.

County manager Richard Primrose also received a revised estimate of $1.1 million to replace windows at the Quay County Courthouse; the previous estimate was $400,000.

For 2021, the items listed on the capital improvement plan by priority:

• Quay Road 63 construction, $1.25 million;

• Quay Road 62.9 construction, $1 million;

• Quay County Detention Center renovations, $500,000 (with $250,000 funded to date);

• Fairgrounds roof replacement, $350,000;

• Quay Road AR construction, $1.5 million;

• Quay Road AP construction, $550,000 (with another $300,000 in 2022);

• Asset management procedure plan, $100,000 (with $50,000 funded to date).

• Bridge 1042 on Historic Route 66, $3.25 million;

• Feasibility study of South Ute Lake Road, $150,000.

The items listed on the plan for 2022 by priority:

• Ute reservoir watershed restoration, $500,000;

• Dump truck equipment, $350,000;

• Pneumatic roller, $170,000;

• Courthouse window replacement, $1.1 million;

• Dozer equipment, $750,000;

• County vehicles, $300,000.

The list must be submitted to the state by Sept. 6.

In other business:

• The commission approved a resolution to request a waiver of a 5% match, or $162,182.37, from the Local Government Transportation Project Fund for a $3.08 million grant to build a new bridge next to the 1931 bridge on old Route 66 over Trujillo Creek between Endee and San Jon.

Primrose said such waivers had been granted by the state in previous years.

Primrose, noting the grant was the second-highest in the state, commended county road superintendent Larry Moore for his work on the application.

"We were really fortunate to get the funding," Primrose said. "This was a project he took on 110% to get it done."

Moore said construction on the bridge would begin "as soon as possible" once environmental studies are finished and bids are awarded.

• The commission approved a joint resolution with the city of Tucumcari to form a Census 2020 Complete Count Committee.

Primrose said the county will receive $10,900 in funding to help publicize the U.S. Census in 2020 and encourage residents to fill out the census forms. He said census results often prove important for state and federal funding, and they would help determine new boundaries for federal and state representatives and occasionally county commission boundaries as well.

• County commissioner Sue Dowell said on behalf of the Quay County Fair Board, she commended Danny Estrada and other county employees for their work during the annual fair.

• Primrose gave an appreciation plaque to T.J. Rich, who is retiring from the Quay County Detention Center as administrator after 24 years there.

• Members of the Quay County Road Department were recognized for winning the state championship in the 11th annual Association of Counties Public Works Equipment Road'eo. Competing against 14 other counties, it was the first time Quay County won the title. Quay County gets to keep the traveling trophy for a year.

• Commissioners met in closed session with Sheriff Russell Shafer to discuss pending litigation and limited personnel matters. The commission took no action when it went back into open session.