Howalt: Plenty done, much to look forward to

Editor's note: Area leaders associated with taxpayer-funded entities were invited to write guest columns summarizing 2017 from their perspectives. Justin Howalt is Clovis' city manager.

As we look back at the last 12 months, the city of Clovis has completed a variety of projects in the community in addition to ongoing services provided by the various departments. Projects completed include:

• Wilhite Road project between Norris and Prince streets.

• Airport roundabout concrete paving.

• Residential paving in area between Seventh and 10th streets on Merriwether.

• Residential paving design of Seventh Street between Norris and Maple streets.

• Renovation work at city buildings including City Hall and Municipal Court.

• Construction of new runway at Ned Houk Park for Model Airplane Drivers Society.

• Construction of a U.S. Naval Memorial Anchor at Veterans' Park.

• The Clovis city commission approved the submission of a grant application for a shooting range at Ned Houk Park and staff is working with the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish in relation to the design and application.

• The Clovis city commission approved moving ahead with a new senior center for the community, to be located south of the Aquatics/Wellness Center at Hillcrest Park.

• The city of Clovis' Water Policy Advisory Committee completed an Underground Aquifer Lifetime Mapping plan with the assistance of New Mexico Tech. It has also approved a Master Water Assurance Plan for the community, which will assist in addressing the future water needs of the community.

• A new wage and compensation plan was completed to help address the need to hire and retain qualified individuals going forward.

Our many successes are tempered this year with the deep sense of loss of two of our valued employees, Krissie Carter, and Wanda Walters at the Clovis-Carver Public Library on Aug. 28.

We have been grateful to the great leadership of former City Manager Larry Fry, who retired at the end of April, and to Tom Phelps, who stepped in to assist for five months as interim prior to myself assuming the manager role in October.

There is much to look forward to next year, and much to accomplish as we move forward with street projects, the completion of the Lyceum theater and streetscape project downtown, a master drainage plan, water re-use construction and others.

Contact Justin Howalt at: [email protected]