Grant County Commissioners, during regular business at Thursday's meeting, discussed changes in rental fees for county facilities.

The Parks and Recreation Committee's work on a new rental agreement for county-owned facilities was updated.

Commissioner Gabriel Ramos, who is a member of the committee, said the discussion was only on a draft form of a proposed policy change, and some rates did not change. Rates for renting areas of the Business and Conference Center are likely to rise.

"We're trying to cover the costs of maintenance and cleaning, if county employees do the cleanup after an event," Ramos said. "We're not trying to raise the rates to be impossible for people to rent, but only so the county doesn't lose money.(Public Works Director) Justin Reese is looking at contracts with local cleaning services to see if they would be less expensive than using county staff."

Proposed rates, still under discussion, are for a half-day rental of the Fort Bayard/Juniper Room at $100 and a whole day for the Fort Bayard/Juniper Room would be $200. Deposit for the front half of the building would be $400, with a half-day rental at $200 and a whole day at $400. For the rear hall, a $400 deposit would be required, with a $200 a day rental fee.

"We went with the $400 deposit, because it is a large building," Ramos said.

He explained that the discount for county employees "came out wrong (in media reports). The proposal is that a county employee or immediate family member, as set forth in the employee handbook, would pay 10 percent of the regular rental rate. That's a 90 percent reduction. It is one of the few perks county employees receive. They will still be required to make the full deposit."

Commissioner Christy Miller said she has received many calls protesting the reduction in rates for county employees.

No more than three events within a year may be booked by the same group or individual, and if the event is not cancelled by seven days before the date reserved, the deposit would be forfeited.

Assessor Randy Villa, a member of the Parks and Recreation Committee, said the group talked extensively about using local services to do cleanup.

"This is just for discussion," Villa reiterated. "The committee has been meeting regularly, and we have had some discussion on rates if a group has already rented the space for next year. We have to look at whether they are locked in or not."

Miller emphasized that she and the constituents from whom she had heard are not in favor of the large discount for county employees, "because taxpayers are bearing the costs of the buildings and the salaries for county employees."

Ramos said the committee is using the Business and Conference Center for a template, but will also look at rates for Bataan Memorial Park and the Fairgrounds. The latter, he said, does not compare, because it doesn't have cooling or heating or restroom facilities.

"We want to develop a cost structure," Ramos said. "The rental of $1,500 for the entire conference center is not changing, but we are raising the deposit."

Commission Chairman Brett Kasten urged the public to make comments on the proposals.

Clerk Robert Zamarripa said he thinks the committee is headed in the right direction for a solid template for other county facilities. He pointed out the Villa has researched other counties' policies, but the committee was trying to put those policies into a Grant County context.

"We're the only ticket in town for weddings and family reunions," Villa said. "We want to be able to maintain the buildings and to make sure the fee is relevant to what it costs to clean up."

During public input at the beginning of the meeting, Pat Peralta, Silver Acres resident, expressed concern over the few water hydrants near his property.

"When the (Quail Ridge) fire jumped the road, it burned power lines, so the pumps on wells didn't work," Peralta said. "There is one water hydrant at Broken Arrow and Tabor streets. Does the county have any funds that they can help us put in more hydrants?"

Commission Chairman Brett Kasten pointed out that the water lines belong to the town of Silver City.

Peralta said he had a meeting set up with Town Manager Alex Brown after the Commission meeting. Kasten said he would like to hear the results of that meeting.

"The county paid to extend the town's water lines to the detention center, but they still belong to the town," Kasten said.

Commissioner Gabriel Ramos said the county plans to seek Colonias funds and "may be able to do something."

James Baldwin, County resident, asked that, during commission reports, Commissioner Christy Miller tell the public what she had explained to him privately about the form required by visitors to the Senior Center, as well as the high price of $9.30 for meals to visitors younger than 60 years of age.

Susan Jerome of Mule Creek asked for an update on moving the transfer station from its present location.

"I offered road base materials in June, but nothing has happened," Jerome said. "This is the middle of wood-cutting and hunting season, so the dumpster fills up to overflowing by Monday night. The container is being emptied every Wednesday, which has helped, but I'm concerned. The road area to the station had not been leveled."

Kasten said the next lease will not be with the county, but instead with the Southwest Solid Waste Authority, which is owned and operated by the municipalities in the county, as well as Grant County, Hidalgo County and Lordsburg.

County Attorney Abby Robinson, acting as manager in Jon Paul Saari's absence at a New Mexico Association of Counties Multi-line Insurance meeting, said a lease extension was made in June, with the agreement that the Solid Waste Authority would work on a new lease. She asked for Jerome's contact information to be given to her after the meeting, so she could inquire on the status of the transfer station.

In financial reports, Kasten reported the county spent $1,252,691.75 since the last meeting. The report included an approximate $575,000 payment for detention center construction.

Alicia Edwards, The Volunteer Center director, accepted a proclamation naming November Hunger Awareness Month.

"I appreciate the county's support of The Volunteer Center's Work around this issue," Edwards said. "As part of our events this month, we will hold a Hunger for Knowledge banquet fundraiser, put on at Western New Mexico Students. It will take place Wednesday, Nov. 2, at 6 p.m. at Graham Gym."

TVC put on a food drive last weekend in conjunction with The Wellness Coalition, and other events will follow.

Marilyn J. Alcorn was appointed to the Food Policy Council.

Commissioners approved an Emergency Medical Services application for a Local System Improvement Project for the Tyrone Volunteer Fire and Rescue Department.

Commissioners approved a resolution naming voter convenience centers for next year's elections. At the voter convenience centers, on Election Day, any registered voter in precincts 1 through 35 may vote. Three of the centers will be in Silver City at the Grant County Business and Conference Center, the Silver City Woman's Club and Harrison Schmitt Elementary School. Other convenience centers will be at the National Guard Armory, the Bayard Community Center and Hurley Community Center.

Rural precincts may vote at their rural precincts or the voter convenience centers. Precincts 1 and 2 may vote at Cliff High School; precincts 3 and 4 at Sapillo Volunteer Fire Department; precincts 5 and 10 at San Lorenzo Elementary School; precinct 6 at Red Rock Church; precinct 7 at Pinos Altos Volunteer Fire Department; precinct 31 at Hachita Baptist Church and precinct 35 at Mule Creek Community Center.

Commissioners, as the Grant County Indigent and Health Care Claims Board, approved an indigent burial of Phillip C. West by Bright Funeral Home.

The Indigent and Health Care Claims Board also approved 683 claims totaling $703,507.37.

In county reports, Sheriff Raul Villanueva said he had sent out a news release with safety tips for Halloween. He also reminded people and asked, as an El Refugio Inc. board member, that the public support the fundraiser Friday evening at the Flame Convention Center.

Zamarripa asked that the only County Commission meeting be held in the middle of the month on Nov. 15 and 17, but two commissioners said they would be out of town. The work session will be held, as regularly scheduled on Nov. 8, and the regular meeting on Nov. 10. Kasten said the Dec. meetings would be addressed at the November meetings.

Treasurer Alfred Sedillo reminded residents that tax bills would be mailed out Friday and they should expect the bills in their mail early next week.

Ramos reported he took a tour of the part of the Administration Center where the Sheriff's Department offices will be. "We will do changes in phases, but it's looking good."

Miller addressed the issue Baldwin raised about the Senior Center forms and meal costs. "When someone visits the center for the first time or returns after a several-month absence, the individual is required by the Area Agency on Agency to fill out a form, which does require the last four digits of the person's Social Security number. The price for a meal for a person younger than 60 years of age is $9.23, which is set by the AAA. It is out of our hands."

Kasten said at the December meeting, the commissioners would potentially appoint two new positions to the Gila Regional Medical Center Board of Trustees. They are usually slated for physicians, but "don't be shy. We don't always get applications from physicians."

Ramos announced a public informational Road Department meeting for residents to ask questions about how roads can become county-maintained. The event will take place at 4 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 9, at the Grant County Administration Center Commissioners' Meeting Room.

Miller announced the next Food Policy Council would take place Tuesday, Nov. 1, at 3 p.m.

The next Commission work session will take place at 9 a.m. Tuesday, Nov. 8, and the regular meeting at 9 a.m. Thursday, Nov. 10. These will be the only meetings of the month.