[Editor's Note: This is the fourth and final of a series of articles of a long Grant County special meeting on April 23, 2024. It will continue the budget hearing]

Article by Mary Alice Murphy

The next presentation in the budget hearing on April 23, 2024 came from Treasurer Patrick Cohn.

He requested an increase of $1,500 for office supplies, which included $1,000 for a pallet of paper and $500 for the rise of costs for supplies.

Cohn also requested an additional $500 for an increase for the office's Cummings cash counting machine maintenance.

The New Mexico Counties Treasurer's Affiliate increased membership due by $100, so Cohn requested that increase.

For non-capital equipment, he requested $4,000 to purchase a new Epson receipt printer, which are to replace front end stations, as the current ones are staring to run slowly and will soon reach maximum depreciation. Cohn also requested $1,000 for an increase for the annually recurred fee for the eCommerce/Bridge Pay service and an increase of $500 for the contract with the copier service with the PTS/Wells Fargo lease.

In addition he asked that full-time salaries for some of his staff increase to $22 an hour.

Cohn confirmed that the requests for increases primarily addressed the additional expenses his office had faced this year.

For the Treasurer's Fee Fund, which funds the Solid Waste Department, he requested $1,100 for non-capital equipment needed for the Treasurer's Office, primarily printers.

Sheriff Raul Villanueva requested some substantial increases in his budget report.

He requested an addition $40,000 in overtime salaries, from $160,000 to $200,000 as his current year budget has already been expended with almost three months left in the fiscal year. He noted overtime cannot be predicted. In 2024, some major crimes occurred, which required many extra time and hours to investigate. "We still have two holidays coming up that require overtime, as the sheriff's office is on duty 24/7. I would also like to request $150,000 in capital outlay to replace some high-mileage units that cost a lot to repair and cause safety concerns."

To a comment from District 5 Commissioner Harry Browne, who said he saw savings, Villanueva said because he was short-staffed that did bring some savings. "We applied for a grant and out of that paid for some of the extra overtime, so the savings come in salaries, but not in overtime."

Corey White presented the Fleet Maintenance budget requests. He requested a $52,000 increase for tires, due to inflation, as well as market availability and instability. He plans to break out the tires by department for better tracking and to cover the Sheriff's Office tire needs to replace two-thirds of the fleet with new tires at $1200 per set. For Road Department tires, he requested a slight increase due to 2024 actual costs, and enough to cover the administration department fleet projected at $1,000 per set.

His request for an increase of $17,000 for sheriff's office fleet maintenance again to account for inflation and market conditions. Because newer vehicles require factory parts there are limited aftermarket options. The Road Department fleet maintenance requires an increase of $16,000 for a very old fleet.

White also said he would like to replace another vehicle, but is limited to what his department can do with the Corre Caminos buses. He noted that the vehicle he is driving has a transmission that is failing.

County Manager Charlene Webb said the county had created the new department of fleet maintenance to get it away from the Road Department, so "they can concentrate and roads. We will see extra in salaries and benefits. In the past, new tires would come from the individual departments. Corey has not asked for any wants. These are needs."

District 1 Commissioner and Chair Chris Ponce said he would like a breakdown on what the specific needs of the Road Department are. White said he could highlight it on a spreadsheet.

Webb also said the policy of the fleet maintenance department would require that vehicles get regular oil changes, so they last longer.

Browne said he would like to know if there is any discussion on replacing some vehicles with EVs (electric vehicles), as maintenance is quite low.

Webb said before EVs come into the picture, there would need to be a lot to think about, as well as a lot of training.

IT Director Adam Baca said the increases requested were less than $5,000 for telephone, office supplies, mileage and per diem and $5,000 for equipment maintenance and repair. His big ask was for capital outlay of $170,000 to migrate all county Tyler-Eagle services to the cloud, which would involve, the assessor's, treasurer's and clerk's offices. "It will take more than two years to do the migration."

Planning Director Randy Hernandez said his requests were as listed. His requests included increases of $600 for telephone to match the fiscal year 2024 projections; $1,500 for increase for paper; $300 for mileage and per diem; $1,500 for fuel; $500 for equipment maintenance and repair; $450 for a clothing allowance for the Code Enforcement Officer; and $900 for non-capital equipment to replace office chairs.
Rebekah Wenger presented the requested increases for the Airport budget. She noted the full budget request is for $240,000, of which $189,000 is salaries, including for two new positions and a new supervisory position. She said the original request for an additional $18,000 for the operating budget would not cover the added positions, the increase in facility square footage and the inflation in overall costs.

For capital outlay, she is requesting $240,000, first for a new F-250 truck, because neither the F-150 nor the Ranger can pull a trailer, if they need to borrow equipment. She also asked for other equipment, including a dump trailer, a skid steer, because they have to borrow one when needed from the maintenance department and often cannot finish a project before they have to return it. A bobcat would help manage the tumbleweeds to keep them off the runway. She also asked for a runway broom to take care of snow and of debris after helicopter lift offs. "We are behind in taking care of maintenance."

Browne asked about fuel sales since the new fuel farm has been established.

"We are having more fuel sales," Wenger replied. "So far, it's a slow fire season, but we expect more. I can't project what in fuel sales we will see or what it will cost. We have several ground leases, but now that we bought the building, we are no longer being paid for leasing. We do have Advanced Air leasing hangar space and paying us. I would like to see more gates around the airport that we could open and get the tumbleweeds out and free them to the world. The guys get out the snowplow to gather up the tumbleweeds and get them outside the airport perimeter."

She said she is requesting from the state more T-hangars as well as sunshades for outdoor parking, which she said is common in southern New Mexico.

Browne said: "We compliment you all the time, but last week I spoke to a fellow who had flown down to a hearing, where I was, too. He had interacted with you and when he found out I was a commissioner he said: 'Well, your airport manager is great. She does a great job of communicating."

Wenger said he had flown down in his own plane and needed a courtesy car, "so we made the arrangements."

"Well, he appreciated it," Browne said.

Detention Center Administrator Joseph Andazola presented his requests.

"The biggest goal when I came here and met with the manager was accreditation," Andazola said. "We are currently in progress of going through the process. All accredited detention centers and those going through the process do have a full-time accreditation manager."

He noted that some of the managers are civilians, but he sees a problem, because if there is a problem, the manager cannot give discipline. "I talked to the accreditation council and they suggested it be a security position. I want it to be a captain position, which is a $52,000 increase. I also know that insurance costs went up, so I need to talk to Linda (Vasquez, then-financial officer) about that. Because of problems with recruitment and retention, we have a lot of overtime costs. It requires at least four, five or six to provide security at the facility during every shift. Because of the shortages, I see our lieutenants working overtime. I, for the first time, since I came here three years ago found myself working at an officer position for a couple of hours, because of illnesses and other issues. That position of captain will be accreditation manager and as we increase our programs and grow the R.I.S.E. program, he will also be programs manager. The state does reimburse for the program manager position, for a percentage of time he works on it."

He asked for $40,000 capital outlay for new vehicles. "We have two transport vehicles, one used by admin for training and going to workshops in Santa Fe and elsewhere. The two 2010 Escapes are old. One has 114,000 miles on it. The other one used to transport detainees to the hospital here or out of town has 144,000 miles on it."

Andazola also requested an increase of $10,000 for the maintenance contracts with APIC for their cameras. door locks, and slider doors.

"The accreditation process is daunting," he said. "Not only do you have to upload all your documents proving that you meet more than 190 standards, but when the team does your audit, they randomly pick things to see if you're doing them correctly, and if you aren't, you won't pass accreditation. The accreditation manager not only has to make sure all the documentation is there, but that all 190 standards are met daily. For the process, you have to provide proof of practice for one year, and if you get that, you get accredited for a three-year period. At the end of that period, you have to provide proof of practice for three years. It has to be done daily, so that when audit time comes you're not running around trying to find all the proof of practice. You have to have all that available, so you can continue to keep accreditation."

Webb then presented the Commissioners budget. "Most of the increases are to match up to fiscal year 2024 projections. One you will see is for the agricultural agent office for an increase of $3,428.77 for the extension office. The increase is due to the Legislature providing a 3 percent increase this year, followed by a fringe benefit increase of 2.75 percent. The way the extension office works is it's a three-way split, state, federal and county, so this is our portion. The audit increase of $16,000 is to match up to the current contract, as we don't see audit fees decreasing. I did add $20,000 to your community support item, which you created some years back. I'm finding that we are getting a lot of requests that I have to tell we can't do that, but a lot of them are beneficial, so I added that to your budget. The rest is pretty flat."

Browne said he would like to know what "we do support."

Webb said they support the Little League teams, but "one of the reasons I added the amount is so if someone can show they are providing a true benefit to the community that we can help."

Webb also presented the Manager's Office budget requests. She said the first was $15,000 for printing and publishing. "We are continually challenged with filling vacant positions so we want to do broader advertisement. Michelle is attending every job fair, we can possibly attend. We would like to have handouts to provide individuals. We want to do it in a bit more professional capacity to show we are a professional organization they might like to come work for. The office supply increase it to match up to projection. Amy (Lockett) and Bri (Baptiste) are both part-time, but they have been asked to provide clerical help to Jason (Lockett) and Roger (Groves), so that increases supply needs. Most increases are just to match up to projections. "

Vasquez gave the Finance Department requests. She said the increases are for the projected increases for liability insurance and unemployment insurance to the tune of about $150,000 in increases.

Webb said she has been sitting on the Insurance Board, and "it's quite depressing actually. Property insurance coverages are going through the roof right now, because of all the property losses all over the nation. The number of lawsuits facing our law enforcement and detention now we're starting to see suits on the Civil Rights Bill. We're starting to see some settlements. One last week was a $33 million verdict for a lady who fell outside a restaurant. Las Cruces Schools just settled a $40 million jury verdict on an employment matter. That is driving the New Mexico insurance authority to develop a good safety net. So those increases are part of that. We're probably going to see health insurance premium increases. We don't expect to see any decreases because we did something good any more. Not a very good picture."

Edwards said: "Were also seeing insurance companies around the country just not offering insurance for certain things."

Webb said the insurance authority could no longer get re-insurance, because the only bid they got was for four times the previous premium, so they took money out of reserves and are now their own re-insurer.

Planning Director Randy Hernandez led the discussion on the ICIP (infrastructure capital improvement plan 2026-2030. He said the DFA (department of finance and administration) has significantly moved up its deadline, which previously was in September and is now in July.

He has sent emails to all department heads asking for their capital outlay requests. "The ICIP tool is for determining the priorities for critical needs by the county over a five-year period and is updated annually and submitted to the state. This document also increases our funding opportunities as some funding agencies require that items be on the ICIIP for awarding funding. Projects should create a new fixed asset, enhance an existing fixed asset, have a life expectancy of at least 10 years, be ready to proceed, be typically over $10,000 and have good estimates."

Hernandez said it is time to start having discussions, and he will be holding public meetings to hear requests from the community.

Ponce, looking at the prior list, "what we are this year, do some need to come off the list?"

Hernandez said; "Yes." He listed several including $500,000 for Bataan Park Veterans Facility; $50,000 for Conference center improvements; $100,000 for Detention Center improvements; $375,000 for Fairgrounds improvements; and $100,000 for Gila Community Center construction. He said those items had received at least some funding.

Browne asked what the status of the vocational school is that was high on last year's list.

"I wish I knew," Ponce said. "Some have been talking about purchasing the (Santa Clara) Armory, and others of us think it would be better to build between Bayard and Hurley on the 35 acres that Freeport would donate. Dr. (Magdaleno) Manzanares has been working on it. He just sent information to U.S. Sen. (Ben Ray) Lujan to help us with some of the money. The focus is we do need these programs to increase the workforce. Right now, I'm going around in circles. Hopefully, by the next time we meet, I'll know where are we with the Lt. Governor and the senators. There is a big difference from $8 million for the Armory and $35 million to build."

Edwards said there is vocational space at the university. "Is it maximized?"

"I think it is," Ponce said. "I think they want to expand it and put in more programs, like plumbing and construction."

Edwards also asked if tuition to vocational programs is covered by the New Mexico free tuition.

"That I don't know, but I would think it would be," Ponce said.

"Whether we spend $8 million or $35 million, that's all capital expenditures, where is the operation funding coming from?" Edwards asked. "If it's tuition-free there would have to be state funding to support the schools, right? The university is not supporting itself if it is not charging tuition, so the state has to come up with the money. So what is the after-build funding for this school?"

Ponce said it was a good question, but "it has not seemed to have been a concern. Lt. Gov Morales would like to see a plan."

"The other thing I want to talk about is the Bataan Memorial Park funding," Ponce said. "What was being talked about by veterans group was to build a building for training, offices and meetings. That was part of the plan. We got $300,000 from the governor for lighting, sidewalks and such in the Forgotten Veterans park, which is part of Bataan, but the cost came to over $400,000."

Webb said the county will not likely see additional funding before the $300,000 expires in June. She said the county may be able to fund the shortfall for the sidewalk portion. "If we can get an extension, that will work, but if we can't, then we lose it. "

She said the bids are coming in very high, and she's not sure if it can be phased.

Hernandez said after receiving input from departments, he can create a draft of the ICIP for more discussion. "It will have to be approved by resolution at the July meeting because it is due on July 12."

The next item on the agenda was the bargaining contract for years 2024-26.

Webb said: "You have been provided the final bargaining unit contract for year 2024-26. It's ready for your approval."

"I'm the union president, Mr. Benavidez," he said. "The union did get together and take a vote. We are ready to go and sign it. We've been working very well with Mrs. Webb, and we're ready to get this over with. It's been a long time coming."

Commissioners moved and seconded and approved the contract.

The commissioners went into executive session, but they expected no action.

They adjourned from the executive session.

For previous articles, please visit https://www.grantcountybeat.com/news/news-articles/84311-grant-county-commission-holds-special-meeting-042324 ;
https://www.grantcountybeat.com/news/news-articles/84369-grant-county-commission-holds-special-meeting-042324-part-2 ; and https://www.grantcountybeat.com/news/news-articles/84378-grant-county-commission-holds-special-meeting-042324-part-3