GRANTS, NM – Local officials kicked off the year with the first Coffee with the Managers meeting on January 2, 2025, bringing together Cibola County Manager Kate Fletcher, Village of Milan Manager Candi Williams, and City of Grants Manager Andrew Valencia. The meeting served as a collaborative forum to discuss legislative priorities, infrastructure challenges, economic development strategies, and ongoing transparency concerns.
Legislative Priorities for 2025
The discussion began with a focus on key legislative priorities for the upcoming session. Fletcher emphasized the ongoing financial strain counties face due to detention reimbursement costs and medical care expenses for inmates.
'Medical care is a huge expense for all counties,' Fletcher stated. 'There's no revenue coming in, so it's literally coming out of the general fund. We need support from the state to address this burden.'
Another recurring issue was recruitment and retention across correctional facilities, EMS, and fire departments. Managers discussed the funding disparity between fire and EMS services, despite EMS accounting for the majority of emergency calls.
Infrastructure emerged as a critical focus area, with officials discussing the need for proactive measures in water systems, bridge repairs, and road safety projects. Valencia addressed the challenges of securing funding for these essential improvements.
'We have hundreds of bridges that need repair and replacement,' Valencia said. 'It's not just about maintenance; it's about safety and planning for future growth.'
Another key topic was upgrading outdated analog radio systems to secure, reliable digital systems for emergency services.
'The current analog systems are unreliable in certain terrains,' explained Emergency Communications Coordinator Sarah Lopez. 'Digital systems would improve both safety and efficiency.'
IPRA and Transparency Concerns
Public records requests under the New Mexico Inspection of Public Records Act (IPRA) have become a growing administrative burden for local governments. Kate Fletcher highlighted the financial and operational strain caused by the increasing volume of these requests.
'Every day, we receive an average of six IPRA requests,' Fletcher revealed. 'The cost in terms of time and resources is staggering.'
Officials discussed potential legislative reforms to introduce clearer guidelines and explored technological solutions, such as AI-based filtering, to streamline the process.
Economic Development Goals
The conversation shifted towards economic development, highlighting the importance of unified strategies between state agencies, counties, and municipalities. Candi Williams emphasized the need for alignment and collaboration to ensure sustainable growth.
'We're growing, but we're growing individually,' Williams said. 'We need to grow together, with a shared plan and consistent goals.'
Valencia added that infrastructure readiness plays a critical role in attracting new businesses.
'We can't negotiate with potential investors until we have the infrastructure in place,' he stressed. 'Water, wastewater, and reliable utilities are non-negotiable for growth.'
As the meeting drew to a close, all three managers reiterated the importance of collaboration across municipalities and county leadership. They emphasized the need for consistent communication, shared strategies, and a focus on long-term goals.
The Coffee with the Managers meetings will continue throughout the year as a platform for discussing challenges, sharing updates, and working towards meaningful solutions. Local leaders expressed optimism about the progress made and a shared commitment to building a stronger, more connected community. This is a positive and unique opportunity for residents to connect with their leaders and work together in a respectful manner. These meetings take place the first Thursday of every month in the Coyote Del Malpais Golf Course 2001 George Hanosh Boulevard in Grants, New Mexico, at 9 a.m.
'We have three individuals sitting up here that want to make a difference,' said Candi Williams. 'That’s the biggest positive we can take away today.'