Coffee with the Managers on Thursday, February 1, local officials and residents packed the Coyote del Malpais Golf Course clubhouse to discuss some of the most pressing issues facing Cibola County. Village of Milan Manager Candi Williams was absent.
The meeting began on a celebratory note, as Cibola County Public Works employees were honored for their participation in the first-ever Equipment Roadeo, a regional competition that showcased the skills of frontline infrastructure workers from multiple counties. County Manager Kate Fletcher, who had recently returned from surgery, applauded the effort. “We’re up here because of our employees,” she said, emphasizing the importance of recognizing behind-thescenes public servants.
County Roads Director Eduardo Martinez gifted the Grants City Manager Andrew Valecnia with the trophy, saying this will be a travelling trophy and the next competition will increase local government participants.
But the mood quickly turned serious as attention shifted to House Bill 9, the “Immigrant Safety Act,” which passed the Senate floor on January 30.
The bill prohibits state and local governments from contracting with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) for civil detention purposes. Local leaders say the new law could devastate Cibola County’s budget and eliminate hundreds of jobs at the ICE detention facility in Milan.
“We Fought Like Hell”
Fletcher, visibly frustrated, outlined the fiscal impact: 172 Cibola County Correctional Center employees reside in Cibola – many in Grants and Milan – and their loss would ripple through the local economy. “People say we’re fearmongering,” Fletcher said. “But this isn’t fear. It’s real. These are careers - people making $30 an hour. This bill passed, and now we’re fighting to recover.”
She listed employee counts by community to counter claims told to legislators that most workers were from out of state. The local economic impact, she said, could reach $30 million.
Fletcher explained, “This year felt different. It was emotional. We had to fight for our people.” She criticized state officials who downplayed the economic consequences. “One of them said, ‘Don’t worry, we’ll help them write resumes.’ That’s insulting.”
Cibola County Commissioners joined the conversation, emphasizing their efforts to lobby legislators and urging residents to get involved. “We need everyone calling senators,” Cibola County Commissioner Ralph Lucero said. “Tell them how this impacts us.”
Fletcher said she would be absent from the office for two days to meet with the Legislative Finance Committee about budget recovery. “We’re throwing everything – kitchen sink included – at the state to ask for replacement funding.”
Behavioral Health and Water Projects Advance
Amid the HB9 debate, there was good news on other fronts.
Fletcher announced that the county had secured $2 million in funding for regional behavioral health initiatives, including $700,000 for a crisis response team. Over two years, that team responded to more than 400 calls for service, with 160 identified as behavioral health crises. Fletcher explained these are arrests that could have ended in an arrest but were handled in a way to better help the individual.
Other funding wins include: $500,000 for behavioral health services in the detention center.
$2.5 million in infrastructure grants for water, sewer, and wastewater upgrades in the City of Grants, along with continued upgrades at Truman Park, the Recreation Center gym, and the animal shelter.
County Assessor Hosts Public Workshop
Cibola County Assessor Dolores Vallejos previewed an upcoming public event focused on property taxes, protest processes, and homeowner rights.
The workshop will “demystify” how property taxes are calculated and how residents can qualify for exemptions, such as for veterans or senior freezes. Officials from the office added that they are responsible for nearly 26,000 taxable parcels across the county.
Procurement 101: Helping Local Businesses Compete
Fletcher also announced a forthcoming “Lunch and Learn” event to educate local businesses on how to qualify for state procurement contracts. “We hate saying no,” she said about buying from local businesses versus out of town, “but we have rules. This workshop will explain how to get on the approved vendor lists so we can say yes more often.”
The Citizen will let alert community members when the time comes.
Emergency Preparedness and Consolidation Talk
Residents raised concerns about emergency preparedness in the event of widespread power or communication failure. Officials assured them that Cibola County’s Emergency Management Department has protocols in place, including doorto- door alerts and evacuation plans, especially in areas like the Zuni Mountains.
There was also brief but spirited discussion about whether Grants and Milan should consider consolidating governments – become one city. While some in the audience suggested it could streamline resources, others warned it would require complex legal restructuring and could upset community identity. “It’s a fair question,” Grants City Manager Andrew Valecnia said, “but not one we’re ready to tackle today.”
Infrastructure Updates
Grants Manager Andrew Valencia offered a quick update on road and infrastructure projects: Washington Avenue upgrades are set to resume in the coming weeks; Roosevelt Avenue is in the design phase; East and West Roosevelt, Gunderson Davis Road, and Washington Avenue will see continued work; The Second Street Trail project will continue once weather permits.
Valencia also confirmed the city received zero audit findings in its most recent review—a milestone for the administration. “That’s two years in a row,” he said. “We’re proud of the team.”