GRANTS, N.M. – At their September 27 meeting, the Cibola County Board of Commissioners covered a wide array of topics, from addressing immigration concerns raised by advocacy groups to reviewing county financials and road maintenance decisions.
Financial Reports Show Positive Trends
Cibola County’s financial standing is in good shape, according to reports from the finance department.
The county’s gross receipts tax collections have exceeded projections for July and August. Additionally, the county’s investment in the local government investment pool earned $51,000 in just two months. This revenue stream comes from a state treasury program that pools funds from various counties to secure higher interest rates.
The county’s finance team reminded commissioners that while these early revenues are encouraging, most of their annual revenue is collected later in the fiscal year, making it essential to maintain a strong fund balance at the start of the year.
Road Maintenance Changes
One of the key decisions made at the meeting was the removal of four miles of Anaconda Road from the county’s road maintenance list. Anaconda is just off Highway 605 in northern Cibola.
This stretch of road, primarily used by Homestake Mining Company, was deemed unnecessary for county to upkeep, with officials from the county road department confirming to commissioners that it is not frequently used by the public. County staff indicated that the decision would free up resources for other projects, though the 1.6 miles of the road just off NM-605 will continue to be maintained as Homestake utilizes this road for operational purposes.
EMS and Public Safety
The commissioners also reviewed updates from the county's Emergency Medical Services (EMS) department, which has seen consistent call volumes, averaging 2.7 calls per day since July. County Manager Kate Fletcher, county and EMS team have worked diligently to make the ambulance service self-sustaining, with recent data suggesting the service could generate sufficient revenue to cover its operating costs.
Commissioner Danny Torrez asked Fletcher if the call volume for EMS services matched what former ambulance provider and private company Superior Ambulance was reporting to the local government. Fletcher informed the commission that the county’s own EMS services are seeing a much higher call volume for service than Superior reported.
On the law enforcement front, Under Sheriff Jeff Marez presented a written report from the sheriff’s office, detailing different calls the department has responded to. The sheriff's department is also participating in a 'warrant roundup' program funded by the state, aimed at serving outstanding felony warrants, Marez told commissioners that CCSO would like to perform two roundups per week. Marez informed commissioners that ultimately, the 13th Judicial District Attorney’s Office will determine which warrants will need to be rounded up.
A silent service to EMS, and the whole county, GIS Specialist Alisha Gardner provided a detailed overview of her department’s work, including floodplain management and zoning assistance for residents. Gardner noted that while Cibola County does not have a formal zoning system, her department works closely with state agencies and local businesses to ensure that development projects meet required regulations. Gardner is working to ensure every home and business has a valid, accessible address, critical for emergency services and utilities. Part of this work involves integrating accurate road data into the county’s Geographic Information System (GIS) and collaborating with other agencies, like the Navajo Nation, to resolve longstanding discrepancies. The county is also aligning with the national Next Generation 911 (NG911) initiative, which aims to improve emergency response by ensuring precise location data for callers across the country.
Upcoming Projects and Community Initiatives
The commissioners expressed their excitement over the possibility of acquiring 6.4 acres of land behind the county’s judicial complex for future community use, such as a fitness trail. This project is still in the preliminary stages, with the county needing to conduct an appraisal before applying for a state grant to fund the purchase.
The commission accepted a donation of a painting depicting the old Sierra Vista Elementary School that used to be in Grants where the current 515 High Street County Building sits in Grants. The painting, which captures the historic essence of the building, was warmly received. Karen Cerniway created the painting, titled, “Sierra School”.
The meeting had opened with public comments, including a presentation by activists from the New Mexico Immigrant Law Center. Before the activists took the podium, Commission Chairwoman Christine Lowery asked the activists to identify themselves and where they come from, they identified themselves as coming from Bernalillo County.
The activists shared letters from detainees at the Cibola County Correctional Center (CCCC), highlighting alleged harsh conditions they face, including sleep deprivation and inadequate medical care. One detainee, a South Sudanese national, recounted his traumatic journey to the U.S., including kidnapping in Mexico, and their ongoing struggles in detention. Another letter from a Dominican Republic national expressed frustration at the prolonged detention despite receiving a deportation order. The commissioners listened to the concerns, but as this was the public comment portion of the meeting and not suitable for open dialogue, the activists left the meeting at the end of public comment.
The meeting concluded with a reminder that county offices will be closed on October 14 in observance of Indigenous Peoples’ Day, and the next regular commission meeting will take place on October 24.