County priorities include finish of courthouse renovations

For Roosevelt County, the 2015 fiscal year has hit the halfway point and for County Manager Amber Hamiliton, the next six months will be spent on cutting the budget, increasing the county’s reserves and making sure the Portales courthouse renovations are finished on time.

Due to a reduction in revenues for the county, the biggest focus for Hamiliton and county commissioners Jake Lopez, Rick Neal, Scott Burton, Bill Cathey and Kendell Buzard will be to find a way to reduce expenses five percent.

“A primary focus of this commission and myself is the budget.” said Hamiliton, who has been County Manager since October 2014. “I do look forward to successfully closing out the budget for this fiscal year and addressing the challenges we are facing. Though I did not create this budget, it is now my responsibility.”

Buzard, who has been on the commission four years, agreed with Hamiliton.

“We’re looking at anywhere we can cut, some positions will not be filled and that could include in Hamiliton’s office,” Buzard said. “We’ve tightened our belts but were going to have to tighten them some more. “You cant spend money you don’t have.”

“It will take a committed effort from every office and department to achieve this goal in the next six months,” Buzard said.

Hamiliton and the commission will also oversee the completion of the Portales courthouse renovation, which they hope will be finished by this summer.

“The courthouse is a cornerstone of Portales and Roosevelt County,” Hamilton said. “We have taken the necessary steps to preserve this historic edifice. The renovation project remains on schedule to be completed by June 2015.”

The completion date is just before the 2016 fiscal year begins and a goal for Hamiliton during the 2016 fiscal year is to increase the county reserves for a rainy day.

Buzard knows increasing the reserve will not be an easy task but it is one the commission will take head on.

“The good news is we’ve got the courthouse moving smoothly and besides that it’ll be a pretty uneventful end to the fiscal year,” Buzard said. “We’re just trying to stretch money to the end of the year.”

“The reserves are the savings account for the county and I honestly believe they are not at an adequate level. I am a firm believer of fiscally conservative leadership.

“I'm also very excited to work with the commissioners, elected officials, and departments to begin planning the budget for the 2016 fiscal year that will start in July. The new budget will be financially sound. During the development of the budget, goals for the county are established and plans are put into place, it's a crucial responsibility of the commission.”