Serving Clovis, Portales and the Surrounding Communities

Meetings watch: Roosevelt County Commission

The following were actions taken at the Tuesday commission meeting in the county courthouse:

• County Treasurer Layle Sanchez reported a general fund balance of $1.5 million as of Oct. 31.

Sanchez added 20 percent of property taxes were collected as of Tuesday morning.

“We’re right on target for meeting our budget for current and delinquent property taxes,” said Sanchez.

• Commissioners approved 13 health care claims presented by Health Care Assistance Administrator Carol Flores.

The claims total $14,394.46, Flores said.

• County Manager Amber Hamilton said Milnesand Fire Department received $65,754 through the New Mexico Fire Protection Grant.

Hamilton said the Better Informed Public Officials training will happen Dec. 6-8.

Hamilton reported a special meeting may likely be held once bids for chipseal aggregate open for completion of capital outlay and Local Government Road Fund projects for this year.

Hamilton said there is a swearing in ceremony for the county commissioners at 8:30 a.m. Jan. 3 at district court.

• Commissioners approved surveying South Roosevelt Road Q 1/2 for potential closure.

City Manager Sammy Standefer said the city can provide half the surveying costs, up to $5,000, because the city still needs access to waste water plants on the south side of the road.

“At least having the road surveyed, that would be a start,” said Standefer. “We’d be glad to take part in that, but I don’t know if it’ll tell us anything new or not.”

Lovato said putting a barrier south of the intersection, a road closure sign on 21st Street and a barrier north of the sewer plant would be the most fiscally sound option if the road closes.

Another option is barricading the road on both the north and south side, which would be more expensive, Lovato said.

Two to three sets of sign barricades would be needed, Lovato said, at a cost of $144 per set. Three sets of LED blinking signs would cost a total of $4,587.40 while four sets of concrete barriers would cost $2,195.

Commissioners Shane Lee and Jake Lopez suggested not closing the road, while Lovato, Sheriff Malin Parker and Portales Fire Chief Gary Nuckols addressed safety concerns, such as speeding and ditches on both sides of the road.

Once surveying is complete, county commission and city council will have a joint meeting to discuss what needs to be done with the road.

• Commissioners approved disposal through public auction of an International Fire Truck and a 2003 E450 Ford Super Duty Ambulance from Arch Volunteer Fire Department.

• Commissioners approved amending the Roosevelt County Detention Center policy to include an on-call duty officer.

• Commissioners approved a maintenance agreement with PTS Office Systems Inc. for copier services at the sheriff’s office.

Parker said the contract will save the office some money.

County Attorney Randy Knudson said some additional language needed to be included in the contract.

• Commissioners held an executive session to discuss two limited personnel matters, seven attorney-client privileged information pertaining to threatened or pending litigation and audit findings.

No action was taken.