Commissioners appoint successor for water board

Deputy Editor

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Curry County Commissioners appointed Wendell Bostwick to serve on the Eastern New Mexico Water Utility Authority board after Caleb Chandler's term is up — but it didn't come without a challenge from Commissioner Chet Spear.

Spear said he was under the impression an elected official must serve on the board for two years, and Bostwick’s term as commissioner ends in a year and a half.

“I brought this up a couple of months earlier,” Spear said after Commissioner Tim Ashley nominated Bostwick, “If I understand the policy correctly, this is a two-year appointment. (Bostwick) only has a year and a half left (on the commission). The commission does not have authority to appoint someone for less than a two-year term.”

Spear then nominated himself to serve on the water authority board, stating that “rules are rules.”

“Their terms don't line up with ours,” rebutted Commission Chairman Ben McDaniel, who seconded Bostwick's appointment.

“And they never will,” Bostwick interjected. “I commend Spear for being involved, and as time progresses, this is a very important program. Mr. Spear has been attending most of the meetings. There is a lot of process and history going on there, and I would certainly hope that if I am successful in the appointing that he would continue (to attend the meetings).”

Ashley stated his support for Bostwick's appointment to the water authority, citing Bostwick's extensive involvement and history with the project.

“Bostwick has the experience with the project and corporate memory there,” Ashley said. “I'm comfortable with that, and for clarification, there is no violation of rules there. I have not heard that said by the counsel or anyone.”

County Attorney Steve Doerr agreed with Ashley, saying there would be no conflict if Bostwick were to serve on the water authority board even if his term as county commissioner is up six months before his term with the water authority.

“The law is it's a two-year term; this board cannot change that,” Doerr said. “So the motion is to appoint Bostwick for a two-year term. … He meets your internal rules. This board could elect someone completely unrelated to the (water) board if they wanted to. That's in compliance with the law.”

Despite efforts from Spear to dissuade the commission, Bostwick was appointed to serve on the ENMWUA board on a 2-1 vote. Bostwick abstained.