Roosevelt officials to discuss road closures

PORTALES — Roosevelt County officials will discuss with commissioners the possibility of county road closures at their meeting today in the county courthouse.

Road Superintendent Ricky Lovato said he will not be able to attend the meeting but the roads to be discussed are North Roosevelt roads 22 and AY and South Roosevelt roads 4 and 16 1/2.

“Most of them are just not used anymore,” he said. “They’re just there, and we maintain them about once a year. We’re just looking for ways to save the county money by not using fuel and wages (for those roads).”

Additionally, listed on both the city and county agendas for today’s meetings are officials requesting they be allowed to apply for Hardship Funds through the New Mexico Department of Transportation. County Manager Amber Hamilton said that entails cities and counties being granted a set dollar amount and allowed to choose equipment equivalent to that amount at the NMDOT auction.

She said last year, the county was able to obtain a tractor, shredder and a Dodge pickup from the auction.

Other resolutions on the county agenda regarding county vehicles and roads are for the Roosevelt County Vehicle Accident Preventing Program Policy and the Annual Certified County Maintained Mileage.

Other items listed on the agenda:

• Reports from department heads and elected officials

• Update, discussion, direction and action on 2017 legislative session items and bills

• Discussion and approval of resolutions opposing House Bill 278 relating to exemptions from the Procurement Code, and House Bill 175 and 242 and Senate Bill 185 relating to the enactment of “The Isolated Confinement Act.” The agenda also lists outlining local county government services and opposing the state imposing any further financial burdens or obligations on the county.