Grant County commissioners hear county reports 101717

[Editor's Note: This is part two and the final portion of the Grant County Commission work session held on Oct. 17, 2017.]

One report addressed usage of the county Conference Center; another report presented numbers on tax collections.

By Mary Alice Murphy

In county reports, Gila Regional Medical Center Chief Executive Officer Taffy Arias had been at the meeting, but left for another appointment. She would report at the regular meeting.

Susie Trujillo said Arias had wanted to invite everyone to the open house on Thursday, from 10 a.m. to noon. Doctors from the University of New Mexico Cancer Center would be in attendance.

Scott Terry, Silver City-Grant County Chamber of Commerce president and director and manager of the Grant County Veterans Memorial Business and Conference Center handed out statistics from May, when he took over management through December, including rooms that have been reserved for events. He listed the number of events, how many were free and how many people had attended the events.

May had 12 events, including five free ones, with 810 people having come through the facility. In June, 27 events, eight of which were free, brought 1070 people through. July saw 14 events, seven free, bringing in 380 people; August had 21 events, 12 free, for 762 people; September had 33 events, 13 free, and 4525 people came through; October, 33 events, 19 free, for 825 people; and for November 10 events are scheduled, three free, with an estimate of 2430 people who will attend; December has three events planned, with one being GRMC, which will be free. The events are estimated to bring in 650 people. Already for 2018, 18 events have reserved space to bring in an estimated 6510 people.

Terry said the Gem and Mineral planners had been pleased with the success of the event. "I think they will see the number of vendors and attendees grow."

He said the only concern for many private functions is that alcohol cannot be served in the facility. "Those who want wine at an event, have a choice of two places in town. We hope we can create a third place. We aren't seeing many bookings in December because of no alcohol allowed. Next Thursday, we have five groups booked. We are seeing a good usage of training rooms. Even though there's no alcohol, people like the facility."

Terry said he will receive samples of acoustic tile to help the sound in the larger rooms. "And the audio visual will be good, when we get it in place."

Commissioner Harry Browne asked if, in general, the free events have fewer people.

"For trainings usually, yes," Terry said. "For the Sheriff's Department, for instance, it's 15-20 people. County departments use it for free, as does 4-H and legislative committees."

Commissioner Alicia Edwards asked what the options were for events with alcohol. "In the county, Hanover Outpost," Terry said. "Because the facility is within city limits, there are only two, the Flame and Wrangler. Q's, now that it has a license, might be willing to serve in the facility."

Browne asked about Little Toad, and Terry said it doesn't have a full dispense license. "Only a full license can do private events. The Toad can do public events, but not private."

"We have the option to get a license, too," Commission Chairman Brett Kasten said. "We just have to decide if we want a license."

Commissioner Billy Billings asked about liability, and Terry confirmed it would be a large liability.

Trujillo, before she left, said she wanted to say that she and her husband, Tony, give full support to renew the manager's contract. "She's the best in the state."

During other county reports, Detention Center Administrator Mike Carillo, referring to a discussion on naloxone, earlier in the meeting, said the jail will use the Narcan nasal spray, not injections for drug overdoses. "We can use one to counteract an opioid overdose. Then 15 minutes until the second dose. Then we do CPR compressions until we can get a medical person there. The Department of Health put on a training. I put in for 50 doses."

"We have five vacancies and are accepting applications," Carillo continued. He said the average daily population was 83, fewer than last month; high male population 67, six fewer than last month; and high female 16, 12 fewer than last month.

Browne asked for the numbers of the unconvicted inmates.

Carillo said: "We have to do three reports. We want to streamline, so we don't have three different reports." He said he would get the numbers to Browne.

Road Superintendent Earl Moore said his department had completed the low water crossings. "We finished Bear Mountain Road. We're trying to help get people in and out during the monsoons and the winter, especially with the new fire station."

General Services Director Randy Villa said the airport is in the process of putting in a generator. "With the hurricanes, generators are in short supply."

He said he liked the idea of rental cars at the airport. "We saw a 37 percent increase in Boutique ridership up to 5,400 this year. I'm getting calls about rental cars, so I'll be glad when they are available."

Villa said WNM Communications had completed fiber optics to the airport.

"Cindy (McClean) will give a DWI update next month," Villa said. "Kim (Martinez) will be here Thursday for Corre Caminos. We have a little bit of money left over to build a couple of more shelters for bus stops. We are working on the fiscal year end, which ended on September 30. Corre Caminos is on the federal fiscal year."

He said the fair was successful. "Jason (Lockett, facilities manager) is doing a good job of getting ahead of issues. The energy audit begins today, and it's been quiet on the fire side."

Browne asked if Villa had any feelings about Essential Air Service, which seems to be under attack in the federal budget.

"Rebekah is monitoring it and we continue to keep up with it," Villa said. "If we lose it, it will impact us. We will lose Boutique and our jet fuel sales."

Browne asked about the Department of Transportation wanting Corre Caminos to get away from on-demand services.

Villa said: "We are thinking about re-creating routes to lessen the impact on those who use the on-demand service. We're in negotiations on the details."

Edwards, as an advisory board member to Corre Caminos, said, in the last quarterly meeting, "they had mapped in flexible routes. Some would lose the service, especially those who live outside a regular route. It's a work in progress, but it's better than it appeared."

County Manager Charlene Webb presented the Planning and Community Development Department report, in place of Director Michael "Mischa" Larisch, who was not present. She reported the gas lines are in at Tu Casa and the transformer pad has been poured. WNM Communications will meet on telecommunications. "The dirt work is complete at Tu Casa. The digital signs for the Conference Center have been ordered."

Treasurer Steve Armendariz asked to report at the work session, as he would not be able to attend the regular meeting. Melanie Crespin, chief deputy treasurer, presented numbers. "For the tax year, the total for the General Fund was $4.8 million. For fiscal year 2016, we collected $5,487,381.34 in property tax, which included $673,000 for debt service. From all sources, the total was $4.619 million since July 1, 2017 through Oct. 16, 2017. Last week, the office collected $44,531. The percentage collected in FY16 was 92.85 percent. To date for FY17, the percentage collected is 0.75 percent.

To a question on the percentage uncollected, Armendariz said it equals about $420,000. "That's why we have requested a position to do just delinquent tax collections. We are doing what we possibly can, but the position would do only that. They would go to the location, try to contact them. On mobile homes, if we collect, we get to keep the penalty and interest. We try to contact them, but some owners are out of state."

Crespin said she comes from a collections background. "We called them and contacted them. It's easier if you are in constant contact with them. A lot of the uncollected taxes are on mobile homes. We could possibly put liens on them, and even possibly repossess them."

Edwards asked what percentage of the uncollected is attributable to mobile homes.

"I don't have the exact amount," Armendariz said, "but it's about 60 percent."

"How many are habitable?" Edwards asked, to which Armendariz replied that they don't really know. "Most are rentals."

Edward asked: "From a collection point of view, what would be a reasonable amount to collect?" Crespin said collection is slow at first, but should be about 50 percent, once it gets going. "Once an account is seriously overdue, I wouldn't count on it as collectible."

Browne said it has become clear to him that the county doesn't have as many tools as the state does to collect on delinquent taxes.

Crespin said Hidalgo County has been repossessing mobile homes that are delinquent. "We wouldn't want that because of liability."

Edwards asked if a company provides such a service.

"I'm against repossessions 100 percent," Kasten said. "There is likely contamination; many from meth labs. No, the liability is too much."

Armendariz said the state will not mess with mobile homes, "because they have no skin in the game (because the county keeps penalty and interest). A good share of those that drop off the rolls after 10 years are mobile homes."

Browne said even with a dedicated position, "I think we are in a difficult position. We don't have enough tools, no hammer like the state does."

Armendaria said he would love to see 100 percent collection, "but I know it's not realistic. A position would maybe help."

Billings said his concern was that collections might not pay for the position.

Edwards asked how the 92 percent collection rate compares to other counties in the state. Armendariz said Grant County is probably in the top 5 percent of best collections in the state. Edwards commented that mobile homes seem to be the sticking point.

During commissioners' reports, Billings said he wanted to thank everyone responsible for the progress with the insurance. "I think the employees will have excellent coverage and it will save the county money. I also support rentals at the airport."

"The human cost of the closure of the Cancer Center is incalculable," Billings said. "The financial costs to the hospital are in the millions. Some are blaming the former provider for not doing the transition. If they are responsible, will they be held accountable? Someone is responsible and needs to be held accountable."

He noted that on Oct. 20, the Cancer Center would reopen with medical oncology and chemotherapy available. "I'm skeptical. I don't think chemotherapy will be available on Oct. 20. Too many people can't get appointments. But I thank the caregivers at the Cancer Center, who have borne the brunt of bad decisions. I think it will happen soon and I look forward to it. I still believe someone needs to be held accountable."

The other commissioners will give their reports at the regular meeting.

Commissioners went into executive session to discuss disposal of real properties; two limited personnel matters, the county manager and county attorney contract agreements; and pending opioid litigation.

"We will adjourn from the executive session with no action taken," Kasten said.