Meetings Watch: Roosevelt County Commission - May 22

The Roosevelt County Commissioners met Tuesday in the commission room at the Roosevelt County Courthouse and took the following actions:

• The commission approved of the closure of South Roosevelt Road AZ, which approximately 20 miles west of Floyd. The road 1.73 mile long road will be closed effective immediately.

"There is a tendency for an animal to be poached, or a calf to be stolen" said County Commissioner Kendell Buzard, who owns land near this road. He said the remote location and lack of cellular service attracts mischief.

South Roosevelt Road, AZ is a spur off Roosevelt Road 3.

• County assessor Kenner Carrasco gave an update on an audit being conducted on oil and gas companies within the county (he said most of them operate in the south end of the county. TASC Total Assessment Solutions Corp. found $2 million in new value that was not reported. The new value is comprised of assets such as gas compressors and pipeline.

According to Carrasco the newly discovered assets will bring in an estimated $15,000 of tax revenue to the county annually.

Carrasco said he has only received figures verbally from the auditor, and he should receive a hard copy report when the audit is completed within the next couple weeks. The contract with TASC cost $69,500.

Carrasco said if the companies involved receive any penalties it will be determined by the state of New Mexico.

• The insurance premium split for Roosevelt County employees was changed from 75-25 to 80-20 (employees will now pay 80 percent and the county will pay 20 percent of their insurance premium). According to County Manager Charlene Webb, the change was made to prevent a pay cut for an employee. The change in the insurance premium split will free up county funds to keep the employee's salary the same.

— Compiled by CMI staff writer Kevin Baird