GRANTS, NM – On July 11, the city of Grants, the village of Milan, and Cibola County held their regular 'Coffee With the Managers' meeting, where local managers addressed public questions and shared updates on various initiatives and challenges. Here are the key takeaways from the meeting:
City of Grants Financial Updates
The city of Grants plans to implement a three percent salary increase for city employees despite projecting no significant growth in the upcoming year. This cautious outlook is due to concerns that potential federal interest rate cuts could reduce city revenues, with city finance director Victor Villalobos saying, “interest is great when you’re making money off of it,” emphasizing that the city has been a making money held in bank accounts and in bonds.
Last year's audit revealed only one issue related to capital assets, which the city attributes to high turnover rates. Efforts to streamline and improve record-keeping are ongoing.
Recent floods have posed significant challenges, with water being pumped into an already full arroyo, creating overflow issues reminiscent of an 'overflowing cup.' While the city’s pumps were working the whole time of the flood, there was too much rain too fast that it overfilled the reservoirs where the pumps move water into, creating flooding conditions across the City of Grants The city's general operating budget stands at $50 million, down from $53 million the previous year, though actual expenditures reached $65 million. Grants' primary revenue source is the Gross Receipts Tax (GRT), accounting for a substantial portion of the city's income. Grants-Cibola County Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Les Gaines emphasized the importance of exploring new initiatives to boost GRT revenue.
Village of Milan Financial Updates
Candi Williams from the village of Milan provided insights into their interim budget and ongoing projects. The village has nearly completed phases 2 and 3 of the Airport Road project, with $39 million in projects planned over the next four years. The current operating budget is around $11 million, which will increase to $23 million postprojects.
Williams also discussed budget amendments, the fiscal year timeline, and ongoing audit preparations. The village is anticipating the opening of a Maverik gas station soon.
Milan's public swimming pool, built in 1995, is undergoing significant renovations. Issues with leaks and outdated infrastructure necessitated these updates, which include new shower facilities and resurfacing the pool. Construction is set to begin as soon as possible, pending necessary approvals.
County and Road Department Updates
Kate Fletcher and Paul Ludi discussed the county's financial status and upcoming events, because of discussion about the ambulance services, Ludi was not able to give as comprehensive a report as he anticipated. The road department is set to participate in a Roadeo competition, showcasing their skills and improvements on local roads like Candy Kitchen and Timberlake.
Ludi highlighted the finance team's near-perfect budget projections and introduced a new EMS fund necessitated by increased state police salaries, which are drawing officers away from the county. This, coupled with a need for an additional $4 million for EMS and sheriff's officers, underscores the county's financial challenges.
Ambulance Services
Ambulance services were a major discussion point.
The city recently terminated a contract with Superior Ambulance due to financial disagreements and is seeking new proposals. The county and village currently rely on a donated ambulance from the city of Carlsbad, while the City of Grants is working to acquire a third ambulance.
Coordination between the city, county, and village for emergency services remains crucial, though funding and resource allocation present ongoing challenges. The three agencies are trying to find a solution that will be beneficial to the whole area. Valencia said that even though the city is not able to bill county or village residents for services provided in a city ambulance, they will not leave the county or village without ambulance services.
Public Concerns and Updates
Community members raised concerns about the Robert Windhorst situation, where the county commissioner and city code enforcer is alleged to have dumped oil in a private business’s dumpster, which Valencia said remains under investigation.
Community members raised concerns about the mosquito population in Cibola. According to the managers, recent floods have delayed mosquito spraying efforts, affecting the city's ability to control the mosquito population effectively.