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Published: 22 September 2017 22 September 2017

[Editor's Note: This is the fourth in a multi-part series of articles covering the almost five-hour long Grant County Commission meeting on Tuesday, Sept. 19, 2017]

By Mary Alice Murphy

Two more items under new business in the Grant County Commission's combination work session and regular meeting on Tuesday, Sept. 19, 2017, took up some time and will be covered in this article.

The first took little time. County Manager Charlene Webb asked that some items from the Road Department be approved for removal from inventory to be slated for auction. "They include a Suburban and a trailer to be auctioned. Santa Clara has asked for the side mower." The inventory removal was approved.

The next item addressed the Corre Caminos final fiscal year 2018 budget.

Commission Chairman Brett Kasten asked for an explanation of the matching funds.

Corre Caminos director Kim Dominguez said 80 percent is awarded by the Department of Transportation from federal funding. The municipalities served provide the 20 percent match. "It's the same 80/20 when we receive capital outlay for one new bus a year. The set amount for the budget is $1,053,967."

Commissioner Harry Browne said the community has concern over the dropping of the on-demand service as of Oct. 1.

"This budget does not allow for that service," Dominguez said. "In the annual audit for the past several years, it has been recommended that we get rid of the on-demand route, and create a modified fixed route instead to save money. The fixed routes provide about 37 percent of our ridership. On demand is about 8 percent of the ridership for Grant County. We also run services in Luna and Hidalgo counties."

Commissioner Alicia Edwards said she had a "slew of questions. This budget continues the on demand. If you change to the modified fixed route, will it serve more? When is there a discount for on-demand, in both Grant and Luna counties or just in Grant County? Do you track specific on-demand requests and locations?"

"Mostly we keep the information private for the on-demand customers, because often it's to doctor's appointments, but we know it's also sometimes to go to the grocery store," Dominguez said.

"How do you know where to put the modified fixed route?" Edwards asked. "Could it be deviated from to pick up a person who can't get to a stop?"

Dominguez said: "We know internally that some passengers require help. We serve roughly 50 people with on demand every day. The modified fixed route would accommodate many of them. We don't stop now at all banks, at PNM or at hair salons. We are adding them back into the modified fixed route. In Silver City, we have one fixed route. We have a modified fixed route in the Mining District. We haven't gotten to the point of mapping it out. We have communicated with those who will be impacted. October 1 is not feasible to cut off on-demand. We were not prepared for it to go public when it did."

"According to the deficiencies, you don't have a strategic plan, but are working on it," Edwards said. "When is the target date for the plan?"

Dominguez said they hope to have it finished by Dec. 1.

Edwards noted that she has been working with the senior population in Grant County for about 11 years. "There are a fair number of people who rely on on-demand public transportation. Are you guys exploring different options?"

"We have a lot of regulations we have to follow, because it's federal funding through the state," Dominguez said. "We are working with Hidalgo Medical Services."

Edwards asked if when Corre Caminos was ready to go forward with the modified route, "will you return and tell us?" Dominguez said: "Yes."

For her next question, Edward referred to the actual budget. "You asked for $28,000 for a mechanic."

"We don't have an internal mechanic," Dominguez replied. "Grant County provides the service and we pay the bill for the services. The Department of Transportation wants the actual time, rather than estimates. The county bills us, but the DOT would not allow the reimbursement because it was only estimates. We are still paying for it, but DOT wouldn't reimburse us. Going forward the Road Department will track the actual time, so we can be reimbursed, if we get the request in within six weeks of the work. And most training for our drivers is provided by DOT."

Dominguez answered a question about the $30,000 for painting the buses. "The recommendation by the DOT is to make them copper colored. We do have extra money to pay for that."

Edwards asked who maintains the bus stop shelters, and Dominguez said typically Grant County does and bills Corre Caminos, which pays the bill.

"The rest of my questions can be handled in the advisory board," Edwards said. She is a member of the board.

Dominguez said Luna County pays $70,000, Deming $60,000, Silver City $72,000, Grant County DWI $30,000, Grant County $80,000, for Corre Caminos services. "We break out the miles, the number of riders, and maintenance. We have a formula."

Webb explained the county approves the budget, because it serves as the fiscal agent.

"So the others approve their own payments?" Browne asked.

County Attorney Abigail Robinson said the entity was formed under a joint-powers agreement. "At one point it was a Rural Transit District, but has gone back to the JPA. Grant County functions as the employer and is fiscal agent."

General Services Director Randy Villa said all employees are Grant County employees.

Dominguez said one route to Lordsburg is paid for by HMS for filling prescriptions.

"It's sad that Hidalgo County and Lordsburg are not providing a cash match, so their residents won't be able to get treatment here," Kasten said.

Commissioner Billy Billings suggested a conversation with Gila Regional Medical Center to help find a cash match.

Edwards said the Hidalgo County commissioners and the Lordsburg council have responsibility to their citizens.

Kasten said Hidalgo County and Lordsburg had put in $10,000 each. "My heart goes out to them, but I cannot see us subsidizing their citizens."

Dominguez said Corre Caminos can continue the route to Lordsburg to the end of October, if "we run only three days a week. We could extend it out. It is money from HMS."

Kasten said HMS has a pharmacy in Lordsburg now, so it won't need the prescription service. "Lordsburg hasn't participated for two years."

Edwards asked why they have a seat at the table.

Robinson said the JPA has no expiration date, but entities can withdraw themselves. A way to do it is to dissolve it or to withdraw from it, "but I don't think there's way to kick anyone out. It's not a political subdivision; it's a creation of statute."

Villa said: "When we look at Hidalgo County and Lordsburg, we will continue to reach out to them for a plan for them. We're looking at it as a medical emergency for those who, for instance, need to get dialysis here. We are working with the dialysis center and the clients to get them all to come in at the same time and go back at the same time. We have met with Representatives (Rebecca) Dow, (Rodolpho "Rudy") Martinez and Senator (Howie) Morales. We’re working on services and the on-demand services. We work year in and year out."

Kasten reminded Villa to reach out to Sen. John Arthur Smith and Rep. Candy Sweetser who also represent residents in the area.

"I commend you for your good neighborliness," Browne said, "but there's a limit to how much Grant County can put out for other counties. There are times my family has used the bus to go to Lordsburg to catch a train and it can be used to go to Deming to catch the bus."

Dominguez said 90 percent of those in Luna and Hidalgo counties are coming this way and going back, and only 10 percent going out of Grant County and then coming back.

"Have we explored billing Medicaid for these services?" Edwards asked.

Dominguez said some insurers would pay.

Edwards requested a monthly report.

Billings said there is an economic impact, with dollars coming into Grant County.

Kasten said he served previously on the advisory board. "The state and the federal government provide enticements to counties and municipalities to provide services, but then they don't fund them adequately."

Dominguez said Corre Caminos has 19 drivers, two of whom are CDL in Grant County for the larger buses and two in Luna County.

Villa said the new budget has a small raise for the drivers, because they had had no raise since 2009. "It is union-based. It has to be approved by the state."

The next article will cover the agreements and resolutions on the agenda.