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Category: Front Page News Front Page News
Published: 21 May 2017 21 May 2017

By Mary Alice Murphy

The first elected official to present his report at the Grant County Commission regular meeting on May 18, 2017, was Sheriff Raul Villanueva

"In April we had 643 calls for service and two motor vehicle accidents," the sheriff said. "We are doing planning for the Blues Festival and then the Pro Rodeo. My staff has been extremely busy. We are still covering Santa Clara and Hurley quite a bit.

"We are fully staffed, but three of my officers have applied to State Police," Villanueva continued. "We have been doing in-house training to save money. This is Law Enforcement Week, so we are giving them lunch today."

Commissioner Alicia Edwards asked what the difference in pay was between the Sheriff's Department and State Police.

"At State Police, they receive $8 more an hour," Villanueva replied.

"I think the state is causing significant problems to the counties," Edwards said. "I think they should take more responsibility for helping cover the counties."

Villanueva said the State Police is saying they will provide more officers to the area.

Commissioner Billy Billings said he saw several State Police officers who were jubilant about getting two or three new deputies.

"I got an extensive list of what sheriff's deputies have to provide for themselves," Billings said. "I have concerns about their pay."

Villanueva said the way the State Police help is with traffic, "but they don't answer calls, unless we call them on specific issues. I wish they could help us with the small communities. I do lose quality people who are trained for everything."

Commissioner Gabriel Ramos said he liked that the sheriff had agreed to keep one position vacant and use that funding to provide more to his officers.

"I believe in taking care of what we have," Villanueva said. "Our mission is public safety. As long as we keep good staff we will continue. We do appreciate the support you give us."

Edwards asked how many the sheriff had lost to State Police. "I have lost one to State Police, but we also lose them to Las Cruces and other municipalities. We also steal from the small municipalities, which is why we help them out."

"Is it feasible to turn over all the roads to State Police?" Edwards asked.

"We minimally work the highways," Villanueva said. "State Police has picked up traffic control on the highways."

Commissioner Harry Browne said he was concerned about the pay difference. "Does it take into account, the benefit package?"

Villanueva said there is a difference in benefits, as State Police does not pay 100 percent, but the state pays FICA and for equipment. The state also changes out units at 100,000 miles, whereas the Sheriff's Department has vehicles that have as many as 150,000 miles on them. "When they are close to retirement, they want to get higher pay."

Browns said he sees it as a natural progression of pay, with the lower paid in the smaller communities, progressing through the larger communities and to State Police.

"I can't compare us to State Police," Villanueva said. "All I want is for them to enjoy their life in Grant County. State Police covers a much larger area. The State Police also steals from Albuquerque and the pay is equal."

Assessor Raul Turrieta said he understands the preliminary budget. "We are spending a lot of time training, especially online. I will give you a number next month on the properties that haven't been on the books."

He said he knows the county is in rough times. "Reappraisal will start immediately. I will send information on net new and valuation maintenance. We are finishing the protest period and have staff in the Economic Development Advisory Committee. At the June 15 meeting, I will have solid numbers. I do not have control over copper production or over state valuation."

Turrieta said he had a discussion with the governor over the lack of a director for the Property Tax Division.

"New Mexico is a self-rendering state," he said. "I would like to see full disclosure in the state."

He also said he is working on a special method of valuation for agriculture and grazing.

"We are looking at leases on a lot of properties," Turrieta said. "It will be one of our biggest tasks once we have the plan done."

Commissioner Gabriel Ramos said he heard on the radio that Turrieta had said the county is top-heavy. "I don't like to hear that kind of talk."

"Reality is reality," Turrieta said. "The commissioners have tough duties to make sure the budget is balanced. Expenditures have to meet revenue."

Treasurer Steve Armendariz said his comments were misconstrued. "A while back when we were talking about a plan and where to fit people into classifications, I said I did not support department heads being paid more than elected officials. I was concerned about my employees in my office who were still stuck in classification 18 and not 27 like in the manager's office. My employees have not been given consideration for what they do. Ted has lost weeks of vacation time and sick leave because the county may lose solid waste payments. Our girls step up to take payments if needed. Maybe I need to go to the manger and say it's the manager's responsibility to take payments to give Ted a break. I asked at the budget meeting to explain the discrepancy."

"I don't know if you are aware, but the collections report is from November through the current month," Armendariz said. "It's not how much has been collected in the fiscal year, but we have collected $5 million for the county since November and $1 million since last month, as well as $1.8 million for other authorities we collect for. My suggestion for agriculture and grazing is if a payment is less that $5, we raise it through an ordinance to $5. If we have a tax bill of 7 cents, it doesn't make sense to send it out. We could raise it to $5 and call it an administrative fee. I'm trying to get the state to raise it to $10."

He said he has tried to find out how many fall into that payment range, not just agriculture and grazing, but also personal property. "We can only determine it when the tax rolls comes out at the beginning of November. I estimate it's 4,000 to 5,000 accounts under $5."

Kasten asked when it would need to be passed to get it valid before July.

"The statute is not clear," Armendariz said. "We are at 89.05 percent collected for 2016 taxes. Tuesday was the state land sale at the Conference Center. We had 21 properties sold, for about $45,000 worth. If it is sold at higher than the minimum bid, the state keeps the penalty and interest, and the owner gets the rest."

He said he doesn't give out the information until the deed is recorded, because the property owner has two years for a right of redemption on the property. Or there is a process to go through to quiet the title.

"So it's a problem for the buyer, because he may lose it up to two years," Billings said.

Browne asked what percentage the county is likely to achieve in collections. Armendariz said he hopes to get to 92 percent this year. The 10-year average overall is 95.86 percent collection rate.

"So far collected this year is $4.6 million for the General Fund," Browne said. "Is that entirely the collections?''

Financial Officer Linda Vasquez said it includes delinquent penalties and interest.

Armendariz again emphasized the difference between the fiscal year and the tax year, which starts in November, "when we bill."

Browne said he suspects a very small percentage is paid between July 1 and Oct. 1

Vasquez pointed out that the Treasurer's Office runs on a different software from the other offices.

Commission Chairman Brett Kasten noted it was much better than it used to be.

Browne said he considered it a challenge.

Armendariz said every bank account is in balance with the bank. "Our accounts audit was very good last year. The Finance Department does not export to our department.

Vasquez said Auditor Linda McGee said it was the best past two years in 12 years.

The Clerk and the Manager had no report.

Edwards said: "Commissioner Billings deserves full credit for the forum the other evening. It was his idea. I was just a helper. Thank you to all those who shared their comments and concerns. Not a single trustee made it a priority to attend. I subscribe to the idea if there is nothing to hide, there is no reason not to be transparent. I will make available unredacted copies of the applications, with all the criteria for those in the community concerned about how UNM scored higher. I ask to make public Gila Regional's procurement policy. Why is the hospital tying its most important revenue item to be put to this chaos?"

She suggested everyone read the mission statements from UNM and New Mexico Cancer Center, the current provider of cancer services to Gila Regional Medical Center. "One is to be treated as a research subject and one is to provide treatment to the person."

"You have a choice if you want to go the research route," Edwards said. "If Gila Regional goes with UNM, that takes away the patient's choice. Read the Wikipedia definition of trustee."

She said it seems the trustees have abrogated their positions.

"The Medical Executive Committee had a unanimous vote of no confidence on UNM. Perhaps we should do the same," Edwards said. "The community needs to attend the Commission and Board of Trustee meetings and keep pushing."

Browne pointed out that several of the trustees had good reasons for not attending the forum. "I think we should hold a special meeting with those we appointed and give them the chance to answer questions. I think the Trustees have an accountability requirement."

"And now I will turn to the New Mexico CAP Entity," Browne continued. "Why do we not receive reports?"

Ramos, who is the commission's representative to the CAP Entity, said the entire meeting is recorded by Community Access Television of Silver (CATS), so anyone can access it and listen to it. "That's why I don't give reports."

Browne said at the last meeting, he heard a new idea that perhaps there would not be a diversion project. The entity would turn the exchange rights into money. "What I concluded is full employment for Pete Domenici's law firm. Who gets the money? Is that what the Commission wants? I have a lot more questions and concerns. We need an expert to tell us how it impacts us."

Billings thanked Edwards and Browne for their comments on the hospital situation. "I thank (Interim Chief Executive Officer Alfredo) Ontiveros for being there. Thirty-five people gave comments and only one was in favor of the current course of action—Ontiveros. I expected maybe six people to speak. Two were too sick to come. The tone of the meeting was not mob mentality. People seemed informed about what they were saying. I left the meeting with a lot of unanswered questions. I have legal questions about our authority. I, too, want a special meeting. Yes, some trustees had good excuses. My understanding is that four of the trustees are keeping at arm's length. Why are three directly involved and four not? People need to trust the hospital. I have concerns about the process of choosing trustees. The deadline is June 5. I would like to see a public forum where the applicants speak and we ask them questions."

He said he, too, had questions about the CAP Entity, but he went back to the hospital issue. "I think Ontiveros has made significant changes since he came, but he said the hospital is still rich with staff."

"I think whoever is making the decision is doing a disservice to Taffy Arias before she gets here," Billings said.

Ramos thanked the representatives from Udall's and Heinrich's offices.

"The Colts and Cobre battled it out at state," Ramos said. "I'm proud of them both."

He suggested the next GRMC Board of Trustees meeting be held at the Commissioners' Chambers and recorded on CATS.

"As for the CAP Entity, I've always felt that we need a business plan to see if a project is feasible," Ramos continued. "We're to the point of looking at other projects, but we need to complete the studies on a diversion. A lot of projects we could do, like the Twin Sisters Creek, which flows into the tailings and gets contaminated. It's horrible we cannot come up with a solution without another new group coming out in opposition. I do believe every member on the CAP Entity is trying to do the best for the region. We have to live within our resources and for the best of the community."

He noted the CAP Entity members are appointed by their agencies. "Some of those coming in opposition are being paid hundreds of thousands of dollars to fight us. I want to provide the best for our children."

Ramos said he also wants to see "brave souls apply for the GRMC Board of Trustees. They are always picked from volunteers. Their intentions are to do the best for the hospital. The RFP (request for proposal) has to go through its course."

Kasten also thanked the senators' representatives. "You got to hear from us about the tough decisions we're having to make in rural New Mexico. It's becoming difficult. Please let them know we're doing the best we can do."

"As for the CAP Entity, it's an irony that the same people who fought us going into the CAP Entity are now fighting to get us to take it over," he said.

"The last time the Commission voted no confidence in the hospital administration," Kasten continued his report. "This is a contractual issue, which specifically the commissioners have no legality to get involved in. My question is whether we should continue to manage the hospital without professional management. I was on the Board of Trustees when it had professional management. Some time after I got off, I think they made the worst decision to get rid of professional management. They didn't have to go it alone. The trustees have no training at all now. We have set the trustees up to fail. These are good people who stand up to do their best. I encourage the current Board of Trustees to go with a professional management firm. If you think professional management is expensive, hire an amateur."

Browne asked for a special meeting, and Edwards supported the ideal of a public forum for the applicants to the Board of Trustees.

The commissioners went into executive session. "We will adjourn from executive session and no action will be taken," Kasten said.