Serving Clovis, Portales and the Surrounding Communities

New members sworn into water authority

The Eastern New Mexico Water Utility Authority swore in new members Tuesday and narrowly elected Clovis Mayor David Lansford as its new chair.

Lansford was elected 4-3 in the meeting at the North Annex of the Clovis-Carver Public Library. Portales Mayor Sharon King was elected as the vice chairman, while Curry County Commissioner Robert Thornton was elected secretary.

Thornton was among two of the new members along with Clovis City Commissioner Ladona Clayton. Veteran member and Grady Mayor Wesley Shafer was also sworn in, along with Lansford and King, who were re-appointed.

Thornton said he feels he could be helpful on the board since he worked for 24 years with EPCOR Water.

"I think my experience can help and that's originally why I wanted to do this," said Thornton.

Votes to make Lansford chair came from Chris Bryant, Clayton, Thornton and and Lansford. Voting for King were Shafer, King and Jim Lucero.

Other topics covered at the meeting include:

• Board members held an executive session to discuss limited personnel matters, but took no action.

The closed meeting was not on the agenda but authority attorney Dave Richards approved it during the meeting.

The state's Open Meetings Act requires discussion of any "proposed resolution, rule, regulation or formal action" be held only after reasonable notice to the public. Lansford said,"Mr. Richards affirmed that it was proper to do so as long as you state the purpose publicly before and after the session."

• The board approved an offer and easement agreement for two easements for piping, one between Clovis and Cannon, another between Clovis and Portales. The easements are for land owned by the State Land Office and will cost $90,000 total. ENMWUA Executive Director Justin Howalt said this price is much larger than they are used to seeing.

• The board approved two budget resolutions and the final fiscal year 2018 budget. The board approved a budget change, adding about $2.3 million in grant revenues, and the final quarterly budget.

• The board heard an update from Howalt regarding the land of the Chavez family. The ENMWUA has been working towards an easement from the land of the Chavez family who have denied the offer several times. According to City Attorney Dave Richards a trial date could be set at an Aug. 7 hearing.

 
 
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