Commissioners turn their attention to road projects
The Cibola County Board of Commissioners held a regular commission meeting on Thursday, March 24, at 5:00 p.m. All commissioners were present in the Cibola County Commission Chambers, and the agenda was approved as presented after the pledge of allegiance and a prayer.
There was only one public comment, provided by community member Ronnie Pynes. Pynes questioned the misunderstanding between quad officials and the county regarding the 39th Mt. Taylor Winter Quadrathlon and a road that the county serviced prior to the event in past years. During the commission’s regular February meeting, the board heard from Mt. Taylor Quad board member Les Gaines regarding the same issue, to which the county explained that under a new road superintendent, the service was reassessed and determined to be in violation of the Anti-Donation Clause. Pynes said he was unclear on the details behind the misunderstanding but wanted to make sure that the situation was addressed and taken care of. Pynes also put forth a question about a list of county-owned properties that Pines submitted about four years ago and what the status was on disposing those properties. In response two both of Pynes’ concerns, County Manager Kate Fletcher said she would set up a time for her and Pynes to meet, discuss the issues further, and answer his questions.
The Board of Commissioners approved the meeting minutes for a February 24 regular meeting and a March 7 special canvassing meeting, and then heard a Budget and Finance Report from Manager Fletcher and County Finance Director Paul Ludi. Ludi stated that all financial accounts were reconciled, and then covered a Entity Reporting Checklist. According to https://www.smartcapitalmind.com/what-is-a-reporting-entity.htm, “A reporting entity is a business with an obligation to prepare external financial reports for the benefit of parties with an interest in its operations, such as suppliers and investors.” The following are entities that have received funding from the Cibola County Commission: Rockin’ 66 Transit, Chamber of Commerce, Cibola Communities Economic Development Foundation, Bookmobile, Grants MainStreet, and NMSU Extension.
There are four quarters during which these entities are supposed to submit their financial reports to the county; the first quarter report was due on October 31, the second quarter report was due January 31, the third quarter report is due April 30, and the fourth quarter report is due July 31. Rockin’ 66 Transit, Bookmobile, and NMSU Extension all reported by the first two quarter’s due dates. MainStreet did not report for the first quarter but did report for the second quarter after new leadership was made aware of the requirement. The CCEDF submitted the first and second quarters’ reports in March. The Chamber of Commerce did not submit reports for either quarter, but the county did meet with the chamber to discuss the issue and they believe it will be taken care of.
Some positives from the finance report were that all actuals are balanced, there are currently more revenues than expenses, and the county is growing by two million dollars a year on operating cash alone. “We’re on track,” Ludi said, while also emphasizing that “we,” all county departments, have been able to maintain this financial growth by doing an exceptional job at managing budgets. If a department goes over on one budget, they find a way to cut back on another, Ludi explained. Ludi also shared that all the municipalities – Grants, Milan, and Cibola County – are on an upward trend financially. Ludi stays in touch with the other municipalities’ finance directors, and he says they are all working together and staying on track as well.
County Manager Fletcher also spoke on the county’s financial growth and how they should be using the money, adding, “It’s the people’s money, and we are now at a place where we can, as the commission and as the county, I’m hoping that we can finish what we started… Now we can see a steady road, we’re in control of upward trend financially. Ludi stays in touch with the other municipalities’ finance directors, and he says they are all working together and staying on track as well.
County Manager Fletcher also spoke on the county’s financial growth and how they should be using the money, adding, “It’s the people’s money, and we are now at a place where we can, as the commission and as the county, I’m hoping that we can finish what we started… Now we can see a steady road, we’re in control of our budget, we know what we’re looking at… That money shouldn’t stay there, that money should go back into the community.”
Cibola County Road Superintendent Edward Salazar and department employee Joseph Baca then gave a report on upcoming road projects. Over the next few months, the county’s road department will be completing 26 road projects, totaling 8.1 miles of chip sealing. The projects are funded by the Local Government Road Fund, which has been allocated from four different programs, including a Cooperative Program, County Arterial Program, School Bus Route Program, and Municipal Arterial Program. Kick off for the planned road projects will be April 4, and Salazar and Baca said it should take about two to three months to complete them all if everything goes well. The commission proceeded to take action on six agenda items. The following were approved: (9.a.) Consideration of Resolution 2022-21 Budget Adjustment Number 5; (9.b.) Consideration of (2) Inter-Governmental Agreements (IGAs) for The Housing of Inmates Between: (a) Cibola County and the City of Grants, and (b) Cibola County and the Village of Milan; (9.c.) Consideration of Resolution 2022- 22 2022 Annual Certified County Maintained Mileage Report; (9.d.) Consideration of Selecting Two Commissioner Representatives to Attend Meeting with Acoma Pueblo Officials; (9.e.) Consideration of Resolution 2022-19 Directing the Publication of An Ordinance Authorizing The Execution and Delivery of a Taxable Loan Agreement And Intercept Agreement By and Between The County and NMFA; and (9.f.) Consideration to approve requisitions over $20,000.
For item 9.b., Fletcher explained that the county has a contract with Core Civic, and the IGAs allow the City of Grants and Village of Milan to get better deals with Core Civic. “We’re going to allow them to benefit from what we have,” said Fletcher, who also talked about the good communication and relationship the county has with local Core Civic officials. Commissioner Ralph Lucero shared his thoughts on a recent situation where NM inmates stole a transport van that ended up totaling two brand new Cibola County Sheriff vehicles. Lucero commented that one officer transferring three inmates was “ridiculous.” Lucero said he believed Cibola County was doing the same thing and that the county was asking for trouble by doing that. Fletcher said she would look into it.
Commissioner Lucero and Commissioner Lowery were approved for the meeting with Acoma Pueblo officials, which is a meeting that occurs yearly for the two entities to discuss issues, concerns, and simply meet. The meeting was set for April 6. Finally, the approved requisition for over $20,000 was for a Power Ford F-550 for the Road Department, costing $69,422.00. This purchase will allow the department to more easily complete upcoming road projects, said Superintendent Salazar.
The commission did not have an executive session. Cibola County offices will be closed Friday, April 15, in observation of the Easter holiday. The next regular commission meeting will be on Thursday, April 28, at 5:00 p.m.