Police officers to receive 'retention stipend'

A "retention stipend" is destined for the paychecks of Clovis Police Department officers: $300,000 divided amongst 45 officers, according to Police Chief Roy Rice.

The measure was approved unanimously by Clovis city commission during its regular session Thursday.

Rice said officers will be getting a retention stipend of 11.9% of their base pay.

"Everyone will be getting something different in terms of amounts," Rice said.

The money comes from Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham's recruitment and retention fund.

A provision that the officers accept the stipend is that the officers agree to stay on for a year from the date the stipend is received.

"I've been in law enforcement for over 40 years. I've never seen a government fight so hard to reward police officers. The officers are excited," Rice said.

In other business:

• A proclamation declaring Monday as "Juneteenth Freedom Day" in Clovis was read by Mayor Mike Morris.

Delmus Gillis spoke to commissioners about today's Juneteenth celebration at Hillcrest Park starting at 10 a.m.

"I'm thankful to celebrate freedom. Freedom is such an important part of our history," Gillis said.

Later in the meeting, commissioners voted unanimously to allow free admission today for the Hillcrest Park Zoo and the splash pad at Hillcrest Park for the Juneteenth celebration there.

• Morris took time during the public comments portion of the meeting to talk about topics on his mind.

He said he'd been contacted by city residents about the arrival of out-of-town contractors showing up in the city in the wake of the May 24 storm that raked over the city with high wind, hail and heavy rain.

Morris encouraged citizens to ask if the contractor they have chosen is registered with the city.

"I also wish to encourage people to deal with local Clovis businesses," Morris said.

Morris went on to talk about a discussion he had recently with officials from Denver Air and was encouraged when they indicated they'd be glad to bring some of their maintenance work to Clovis in the future.

Morris said he hopes to see an aviation maintenance facility at the Clovis airport in the future, that that might bring about an aircraft maintenance program to Clovis Community College.

Morris also addressed the need for health care access to Clovis, "particularly for Air Force personnel."

Morris said better health care access sends a signal that Clovis is serious about having Cannon Air Force Base located nearby.

Morris said the city is looking to Presbyterian Health Care, owners of Plains Regional Medical Center, to "get creative and help fill the gaps" in area health care.

• Morris also presented a key to the city to 27 Special Operations Wing Command Chief Master Sgt. Kristina B. Montgomery as she leaves Cannon AFB for another assignment.

Montgomery praised the mayor and commission.

"Your care and involvement with personnel at Cannon is like nothing I've known before. I hope to return here and retire," Montgomery said.