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Published: 20 May 2018 20 May 2018

Most items were approved at the regular session on May 17, 2018.

By Mary Alice Murphy

After two presentations, which can be viewed at http://www.grantcountybeat.com/news/news-articles/44324-grant-county-work-session-held-051518-part-1 Grant County commissioners at the work session on May 15, 2018 addressed the regular meeting agenda for May 17, 2018.

County Financial Officer Linda Vasquez presented the expenditure report ending on May 8, 2018. Total expenditures were $1,818,522.19, with three payroll periods equaling $389,585.54. Extraordinary expenses over $10,000 are listed in this table:

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Commissioner Harry Browne asked if it was the last payment to Jarrard Phillips Cate and Hancock Inc.

County Manager Charlene Webb replied: "It depends on how far along you are with the hospital process."

The next two items, the First New Mexico Bank Wild, Wild West Pro Rodeo proclamation and the updates from the Gila Regional Medical Center and the Gila National Forest on the Plan revision process can be read at http://www.grantcountybeat.com/news/news-articles/44326-grant-county-commissioners-hear-grmc-and-gnf-forest-plan-updates-at-regular-session-051718

At the work session, Ted Martinez of the Treasurer's Office said he held a public hearing on May 9, 2018 to address the delinquent solid waste fees that have had a lien put on them for exceeding $100, and no one showed up. "I go through all of them to make sure the data matches that in the Assessor's Office. We had 103 delinquent accounts."

Commission Chairman Billy Billings asked how many he expects the county to collect.

"We collect a good amount," Martinez said.

Browne asked how confident they were that they had the correct addresses.

"We code the returned mail and get the correct addresses," Martinez said. "Sometimes, we will call and tell them the mail came back and be told that it was the correct address."

Commissioner Brett Kasten said if it's the same address as they use for the property taxes and they pay those taxes, "they are choosing not to pay the solid waste fees."

Webb said for those who pay, she signs the liens to discharge them.

At the regular meeting commissioners approved the list of delinquent accounts.

Commissioners also approved the removal of broken and obsolete fixed assets. Webb said the county was trying to clean up the inventory of "items we haven't seen in years."

Commissioners agreed to an intergovernmental transfer to the Silver City Police Department of a Zebra Label Printer with power adapter and ROV handheld scanner, which the Sheriff's office no longer uses, but the SCPD does.

Community Development and Planning Director Michael "Mischa" Larisch, at the work session, said for the second time no one has applied for the peer consumer position on the Tu Casa Advisory Board. "I think we will have to advertise one more time, but I think the Advisory Board and can go on and meet, since it is not a decision-making board."

Commissioner Alicia Edwards asked what peer consumer meant. Larisch said his understanding was that it was an individual who has gone through the process of recovery from substance abuse.

Edwards wondered if perhaps people were not applying, because all of a sudden, they would be identified as recovering. "Could you bring it up with HMS and maybe drop the language?"

Webb recommended taking it off the agenda and putting it back on the June agenda.

An item on the agenda was to accept the dedication of a right of way for a portion of Main Street located in the Pinos Altos Mining District. Larisch said several roads in the area are maintained by the county but were never dedicated to the county. "We brought in boundary changes and asked the owners to dedicate the roads with the boundary changes. It would be nice to get to the point of dedication."

Browne asked if the parcels were coming in as Larisch had requested, and he replied: "Yes."

At the regular meeting, the commissioners approved the rights of way.

They also approved the fiscal year 2018 County Fire Protection Fund Distribution application for the following volunteer fire departments: Cliff-Gila, Fire Administration, Fort Bayard, Lower Mimbres, Pinos Altos, Santa Rita/Hanover/Fierro, Sapillo Creek, Tyrone, Upper Mimbres and Whiskey Creek.

Billings said he and Edwards had a few proposed changes to the Gila Regional Medical Center Board of Trustees selection process. "The biggest question we have from applicants is whether we want a resume from them. I feel we should include them. We have additional characteristics we would like to see."

Edwards said she would like to see the applicants answer a couple of essay questions, such as: "Why are you applying and what qualifications do you bring to the table?"

Browne wondered if it would work better to encourage answering the questions rather than requiring. "I feel like we won't get 13 applicants again like we did last year unless they want to submit them to enhance their chances."

Billings said he was more interested in the process than the questions. Edwards said one thing they discussed was: "Anyone can say they have these characteristics [which are listed on the draft application form]. We are totally open to input. We just want a more through vetting process."

"We want to have a process and stick to it," Billings said.

Last year, Browne said, they created a matrix to narrow down the list to five, then those five presented to the county.

Kasten said he felt that process had issues. "If it is done in a public meeting, the fifth person has an advantage. If they give it to you in written form, it accomplishes presenting, but no one gets an advantage."

Browne concurred.

Edwards tried to clarify: free form letter of application, then narrow, then more questions?

Billings said the thought came up that the current Board of Trustees members could be part of the process. Kasten did not agree. "You have the duty and responsibility, as commissioners, to do this, not put it on another group."

Browne said he would want Board of Trustees input. "If we had a good working relationship with the trustees, they could be part, as an advisory group."

Kasten said he would prefer to have the offer come from the Board of Trustees, not from the commissioners, "as in what particular skill sets they need on the board."

At the regular session, the discussion continued, with Webb stressing that the decision had to be made that day, in order to meet deadlines for advertising. The commissioners first approved the application with the additions of listing the term of service of three years, requiring a letter of application and a resume. The motion was amended to make the letter a maximum of one page.

Kasten them moved to require the applications by noon June 1.

County Attorney Abigail Robinson said the ranking of the applicants, if discussed among the commissioners, has to be done in open session to prevent a rolling quorum. She recommended each commissioner rank the applicants and submit them to Webb.

Commissioners agreed to a special meeting to be held June 7 at 9 a.m. to discuss the applications.

The finalists will present at the work session on June 12 and the decision on who to appoint will occur at the June 14 regular meeting.

Webb noted that one thing done differently last year was putting out a display ad, not just legal notices.

Under agreements, at the work session, discussion ensued on a joint powers agreement among Grant County, the town of Silver City, city of Bayard, village of Santa Clara, town of Hurley, Western New Mexico University and Gila Regional Medical Center for a consolidated public safety answering point, meaning the Regional Dispatch Authority.

Webb said: "As it is now, if there is not enough money to pay expenses, the shortfall is split 50 percent from the county and 50 percent from Silver City. Since all the entities are voting members, it was decided that all should pay a percentage of the shortfall, based on current call volumes from the entity. All the entities have approved it, except for us and Gila Regional. I recommend we approve it."

Browne said: "It is worth noting that the agreement gives Grant County and Silver City each two votes, while the others have only one."

Commissioners approved the JPA.

The second agreement was with the state of New Mexico Children, Youth and Families Department for the Juvenile Justice Advisory Committee (JJAC) continuum and compliance monitoring. Webb said the group oversees various juvenile programs that are alternatives to juvenile sentencing. The agreement is an annual one and reduces the county's costs of jailing juveniles. "Our program is a model program for the state. A state Supreme Court justice is the head of the program and wants to continue using it across the state." The cost is $95,000 annually.

Webb said: "A challenging piece of the agreement is whether JJAC will replace Bianca Padilla, who resigned and has moved out of state. She is continuing on a contract with Silver City. They may allow me to contract with someone to get the data."

Commissioners approved the agreement at the regular meeting.

They also approved the preliminary budget, which had been discussed at a recent budget hearing. It can be read at http://www.grantcountybeat.com/news/news-articles/44206-grant-county-commission-holds-budget-hearing-051018?highlight=WyJidWRnZXQiLCJidWRnZXQnbm8iLCJidWRnZXQnbm90IiwiYnVkZ2V0J3Rha2luZyIsImJ1ZGdldCdzIl0=

The commissioners recessed as the Board of Commissioners and convened as the Grant County Health Care Claims Board. Two items were up for approval.

The March claims were for $108,125.34. Webb said she had met with CoreValues to talk about the claims. "An individual passed away from injuries received prior to going to jail. He was in the ICU. I wanted to make sure we were being billed correctly. We had good communication." The April claims were for $14,438.34, which Webb said: "are more in line with what we want to see."

Browne asked for a line in the budget giving the remainder of the fund at any point in time.

Webb said that could be done, but "we have to pay the claims in any case."

Edwards asked if the fund was budgeted on the calendar year or the fiscal year. Webb replied: "The fiscal year."

Under elected official's reports at the work session, Detention Center Administrator Mike Carillo said the jail has two vacancies. On May 1, the administrative staff took part in a career day at WNMU. "We received an application from one individual."

He said the Art from Within exhibit of inmates' art work at Western was received well and had people willing to volunteer to help with the program.

The average daily population at the jail since the April meeting for the past month stood at 78, seven less than last month. The high male was 59, nine less than last month, and the high female was 20, the same as last month. As of May 10, 77 people were in jail.

For National Corrections Appreciation Week, Carillo said they plan an event on June 8 to honor all officers. "I invite the commissioners to attend."

Road Superintendent Earl Moore said he has finished the chip-sealing for the fiscal year that is paid for in the DOT local government fund. "Horseshoe Loop still needs to be done. We will take the materials from doing it and put them on North Hurley Road. We are back to routine patching."

Larisch gave his monthly report. "We have the final punch list for Tu Casa. We had the final inspection for the Santa Rita Fire Station. We do have a punch list, but we got the certificate of occupancy. On May 9, the Lower Mimbres tank was delivered. Installation begins today (May 15)."

He said he has held several Infrastructure Capital Improvement Plan public meetings, with few to no residents attending. "Last night's was in Cliff; tomorrow's will be in Mimbres; and Thursday's in Hachita. The Colonias Infrastructure Fund recommended $1,062,847 to finish Rosedale Road."

At the regular meeting, Assessor Raul Turrieta apologized for his attire as he has "been out in the field doing sales." He announced that his deputy assessor, Matthew James, is now a New Mexico qualified appraiser. Gabriel Grado and Denisha Lucero have passed the first appraiser course.

He said he has been spending a lot of time at Gila Regional. "They have done a great job, with exceptional care. We appreciate having our hospital."

Turrieta congratulated the Silver High School softball team for bringing home an eighth straight championship."

Treasurer Steve Armendariz introduced his chief deputy, Veronica Rodriguez. "She's been on the job one month. She's a quick study. I congratulate my staff for helping her through the tough stuff."

He said in his April report, he reported collections of $296,000. "For this report on May 17, we have collected $1,263,764.66. We collected $400,000 in one day on the deadline, May 10. Year-to-date, we have collected $21,483,173.44 for all entities, including the county."

Armendariz said the State Property Tax Division has had personnel in his office for a month. "We have set a tentative tax sale for June 28. We have 86 properties on the list. We put up red tags, and we have collected on some of them. The list started with more than 100 accounts, which we have whittled down to 86. Keep watching the newspaper, we will publish the list."

Clerk Marisa Castrillo said early voting is active at the clerk's office from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday and on Saturday, June 2.

In commissioner reports, Edwards and Browne had nothing to report, and Kasten had left to travel.

"Something I stand for," Ramos said. "It's every important for everyone to get out to vote. We need to continue to hold our values—hunting, fishing, ranching, mining. Each mine employee receives $70,000 to $80,000 including benefits. Freeport McMoRan brings in over $2 million to the county, municipalities and school budgets. It will be a sad day when Freeport closes its doors. Anyone against mining should not even be in the running for commissioner. Overall, mining has a $158 million impact on the area. Go to the Secretary of State website to see who donates to candidates, and if it's special interest groups. I don't think those fighting against our traditional values should be considered for commissioner."

He also congratulated the Silver High School softball team. "They're the real deal. It's a great program."

Billings, too, congratulated the softball team, "the girls, the coaches and the parents. I like the idea of a celebration, but not what Mr. Juarez described." See public input in http://www.grantcountybeat.com/news/news-articles/44326-grant-county-commissioners-hear-grmc-and-gnf-forest-plan-updates-at-regular-session-051718

Billings said Freeport has also donated $6,000 to the county to provide better wireless connections at the Grant County Veterans Memorial Business and Conference Center. Silver Schools' IT director Ben Potts suggested the changes and applied for the funding.

Freeport donates $1 million to $1.3 million annually to local non-profits. "Plus their employees donate through United Way and spend 770 hours volunteering each year. The company's matching fun helped at the Cliff ball fields," he said.

"I thank the Silver City mayor, our County Manager Charlene and the maintenance department for helping with clean up of the roads," Billings said. "Mayor Ladner has gotten me out and showed me the trash along the roadways. He wants a volunteer day to clean up the highways."

Mentioning the Grant County Airport and Boutique Air, Bllings said he thinks the cancellations and delays are behind them. "But there was a lack of communication to the passengers about delays. I'm excited that Advance Air is coming to visit with us. They have a 98 percent departure rate."

He also congratulated Webb for her daughter, Corky Hardin, winning one of the FFA 13 state scholarships. "Four were from Grant County," Billings said. They were, in addition to Hardin, Riley Brabson, Bryce Humphrey and Emily McDonald.

The meeting adjourned.