Commission approves property tax rates

The Quay County Commission during its meeting Monday approved 2019 property tax rates that will result in small tax decreases for most property owners except for some landowners in House, who will see a small increase.

County assessor Janie Hoffman presented the new property-tax rates compiled by the New Mexico Finance and Administration Department. The county’s next taxable value is $231.7 million, up from $212.9 million the previous year.

For nonresidential property in House, the owner of a tract valued at $100,000 would see an increase of $12.43. Those who own similarly valued residential property in House, however, would see a decrease of $2.63.

Here are the changes in 2019 property taxes for towns in Quay County for each $100,000 in taxable value:

• Tucumcari residential, $12.80 less in taxes;

• Tucumcari nonresidential, 20 cents less in taxes;

• Logan residential, $37.53 less in taxes;

• Logan nonresidential, $10.47 less in taxes;

• San Jon residential, $20.20 less in taxes;

• San Jon nonresidential, $3.16 more in taxes.

Of the 20 tax areas in the county, 13 will see property tax decreases.

In other business by the commission:

• The board approved County Treasurer Patsy Gresham’s request to implement convenience fees for taxpayer credit or debit card transactions. She said Value Payment Systems would provide the county with card-reading machines in exchange with the company collecting a 2.7% fee for credit cards and 1.5% fee for debit cards, with a $1.95 minimum fee. Gresham said other counties charge a 2.5% fee for both debit and credit cards, so she said Value’s rates were “a better deal.” The Value system also is compatible with the county’s Tyler Technologies software.

• Gresham also discussed with the board a recent state auction of tax-delinquent properties in the county. She said just four properties were sold for a total of $9,300, with some of the money going to the state to cover interest, penalties and fees. Seven commercial properties drew no bids. Gresham said she would research whether future delinquent properties can be sold with a lower penalty and interest rates to make them more affordable. “We’re trying to get these back on the tax rolls,” she said. County commissioner Franklin McCasland said the system is “very inefficient” and that many delinquent properties owe more money than they’re worth.

n The board approved an engineering agreement with Stantec for the $750,000 road project on Quay Road 63 and Quay Road AP, of which Stantec will receive 20%. The roadwork is part of a capital-improvements project funded by the state. Commissioner Mike Cherry said the 20% fee is too high, noting such fees in previous years were 6% to 7%. County manager Richard Primrose noted Stantec’s fee is “not out of line” with current similar projects.

• The board heard a report for the April-to-June period from Jason Lamb and Joyce Runyan of the Quay County Cooperative Extension Service. Runyan said attendance at Quay County on the Move events on Saturday mornings was down because of conflicts with other events. She said the extension service is considering moving the date of Quay County on the Move or joining it with other activities.

Lamb said he attended a hemp production conference in Las Cruces. He said some hemp producers in southern New Mexico were having trouble keeping the plants viable. “You really have to be a farmer,” he said. “You have to know what you’re doing.”

Lamb said their office had received applications to fill a position once held by Brenda Bishop, who retired this summer after 32 years. He said application-acceptance window would close Sept. 30, and candidates would be reviewed after that.

• The Indigent Claims Board approved $607 in claims during the September period.

• The board met for more than an hour in closed session with District Judge Albert Mitchell Jr. and Marion Payton, CEO of the 10th Judicial Circuit, to discuss the purchase, acquisition or disposal of real estate. No action was taken after open session resumed.