GRANTS, NM – The Cibola County Board of Commissioners held their Regular meeting on June 27, at this meeting Fire Mashal and Emergency Manager Dustin Middleton gave updates on the Encerrita Fire and flooding in Cibola County, DWI Program Coordinator Vicki Kramer gave updates on the DWI Program, and the commission approved multiple services between Cibola County DWI and various companies.
Finance Director Paul Ludi and County Manager Kate Fletcher gave an update on the budget and finance for the month of May. The County is reconciled through may for the Main Operating account and the Treasurer’s office is reconciled through May 31 for the tax operating account. The county received $2,373,039 this year for Payments in Lieu of Taxes (PILT) this amount is $373,039 more than projected. For the month of June, the county received $549,835 in Gross Receipts Tax. The county also approved Budget Adjustment eight which includes adjustments for more received revenue than project and moving a grant to the correct fund.
Kramer gave an update on the DWI Program. The DWI program has roughly 120 clients per month with this number varying so often. In previous years the percentage of individuals who successfully completed the program was 50 percent, today that percentage has increased to 75 percent. The success rate for individuals completing treatment while in the program is 80 percent. They currently have a service program called Prevention Works, the service provides ads in newspapers, magazines, school publications, signs and posters that are placed in public areas and schools. The program also coordinates with local schools to provide presentations to discuss the dangers of alcohol use and potential consequences of driving under the influence. In 2025 they are looking at provide seventh grade students with an education program. According to Kramer a majority of individuals who are in the program are between the ages of 25 and 30, about 80 percent are male, and a majority are first time offenders.
The Commission approved three service agreements between the Cibola County DWI program and three agencies. The first service agreement was for Substance Abuse Treatment and Case Management with Casa San Jose of Gallup, NM in the amount of $60,000. The services agreement with Casa San Jose is to provide treatment services to clients in the DWI program that do not have access to Medicaid or their own private health insurance. The second service agreement was for Prevention Services with Prevention Works Consulting, LLC. in the amount of $16,144. The services agreement with Prevention Works Consulting, LLC. is to provide resources, develop a campaign to provide to students in Cibola County Schools to educate students on substance abuse prevention and alcohol prevention. The third service agreement was for evaluation services with Concha Montano Consulting in the amount of $29,590. The services agreement with Concha Montano Consulting is to evaluate the DWI program and work with the coordinator on what they are doing well and what they need to work on.
The DWI Program was awarded a grant from the State of New Mexico Department of Finance and Administration in the amount of $100,000. The grant funding was awarded to support programs, services and activities to reduce the incidence of driving while intoxicated, alcoholism, and alcohol abuse in New Mexico. The Commission approved the grant agreement.
In order for the DWI Program to receive the grant they were awarded from the DOFA the commission had to approve the Cibola County DWI Advisory Board Bylaws, either changed or with no changes. Kramer said the only changes that were made to the bylaws was the membership of the advisory board. She said that recently she has received a lot of interest in individuals wanting to join the advisory board and due to this she wanted to change the number of members from eight to 10 or 12. Commissioner Christine Lowery asked how they received the increased interest and Kramer answered by saying that she reached out to various individuals in the county including, Ramah, Laguna, Acoma and treatment providers.
The commission approved a Memorandum of Agreement between the DWI Program and the Cibola County Sheriff’s Office, the City of Grants Police Department and the Village of Milan Police Department. The CCDWI program received grant funds from the New Mexico Department of Finance and Administration, Local Government Division, and the New Mexico Traffic Safety Bureau to be used for enforcement of New Mexico DWI laws to reduce the incidences of alcohol-involved crashes and underaged drinking. The program received $10,000 which will be dispersed to the three law enforcement agencies evenly with each receiving $3,333 to be used for checkpoints, patrols and/or equipment. d. Consideration of Services Agreements Between Cibola County DWI and: 1. Substance Abuse Treatment and Case Management Services Contract for Casa San Jose of Gallup, NM 2. FY25 Prevention Services Agreement with Prevention Works Consulting, LLC. 3. FY25 Evaluation Services Agreement with Concha Montano Consulting The meeting ended with two announcements, Cibola County Offices will be closed, Thursday July 4, 2024, in observation of Independence Holiday and the next Regular Commission Meeting will be on Thursday, July 25, 2024, at 5 p.m.