Water rights item removed from agenda

Staff report

An ordinance that would have allowed the city to move forward with the purchase of water rights that would help Cannon Air Force Base ensure a sustainable water source was removed from the agenda during a city commission meeting Thursday at the Clovis-Carver Public Library’s North Annex.

The meeting’s agenda states that the commission was to meet prior to the meeting in executive session to discuss the purchase, acquisition or disposal of real property or water rights by the public body, as well as limited personnel matters.

The commission met in executive session following the meeting, which was adjourned upon its return.

Mayor David Lansford was not readily available for comment following the meeting Thursday night.

City Manager Joe Thomas said he did not know why the commission chose to remove the water purchase item from the agenda.

However, Thomas said discussions about the purchase of water rights from farmer J.L. Wall were still ongoing.

The ordinance, which was introduced by the commission on March 11, was to approve an Economic Development Project plan for the purchase of water rights.

The ordinance was tabled on March 27, but on June 26, the Economic Development Tax Advisory Board unanimously recommended moving forward with the purchase of water rights near Cannon Air Force Base.

According to the meeting’s agenda packet, it is anticipated that a contract for purchase of water rights, wells and equipment will be completed before July 30; but to meet Local Economic Development Act requirements, the project must be approved by ordinance.