Water authority proceeding as usual

CLOVIS — The Eastern New Mexico Water Utility Authority is proceeding as usual, even though everything in the world around them is anything but.

The authority had its monthly meeting Thursday at its offices, with much of the participation occurring through a conference call given state restrictions on gatherings of more than five people during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Chair David Lansford was the only authority member to attend in person, with authority staff filling other slots.

Authority Administrator Orlando Ortega said the three staff members for the authority continue to do their normal operations though COVID-19 concerns have adjusted some of their routines. Ortega said the three had talked as a group, and each person felt comfortable continuing to work in the office.

“We’ll keep working until we’re told otherwise,” Ortega said. “We’ve got things to do.”

With pandemic concerns putting a halt to most public gatherings, the economic impacts are predictable. State consultant Joe Thompson said a special session to navigate the state’s economic damage was almost a guarantee, but he had cautious optimism a $1 million award the authority received from the governor’s office would stay in place.

“They may have to cut a billion dollars (from a $7.6 billion budget); that’s obviously a huge concern,”

Thompson said. “What they told me was that a project like ours, we would need to tell our story about how important it is to consider moving forward.”

Thompson reasoned the state would be unlikely to cut the authority’s award because construction projects put money right back into the economy.

Federal consultant John Ryan said that water project, like everything else, has taken a backseat in Washington due to the COVID-19 matter, and he anticipates federal stimulus packages won’t stop with the one negotiated during the week.

In other business at the meeting:

• The authority voted 6-0 to move up to $2.5 million in reserves into an interest-earning account at Citizen’s Bank.

Lansford estimated the six-month certificate could earn the authority around $175,000, and Ortega said there were no immediate plans to expend that money.

• Jim Honea of Jacobs Engineering said a damaged section of 33-inch pipe has been removed, and there was no damage to the 48-inch casing pipe.

A replacement pipe should arrive around April 6, and substantial completion of the Finished Water 2 was updated to May 11.

• The board approved a $3,300 easement agreement for a parcel of land in Curry County owned by Juan and Vivian Jimenez.

• The board approved the financial report for February. During the month, the authority had $778,719.62 in revenues — $224.61 from bank interest, the rest from the Bureau of Reclamation — and $202,444.75 in expenses.

The authority balance on Feb. 29 was an estimated $6.316 million, and on Thursday $6.782 million.

• Ortega noted that legislation reducing the water authority to four municipalities and six board representatives would take effect May 20.

• The next meeting is scheduled for April 23.