Fire chief hoping for county contract

Portales Fire Chief TJ Cathy is hoping to enter into a contract with the Roosevelt County Commission on providing services outside city limits.

Cathy presented to the Portales City Council on Tuesday, asking for its approval to present to the county on why he believes Portales Fire Department is the best option for providing these services.

"It will help the overall system," Cathy said.

Last fiscal year, Cathy reported PFD responded to 683 calls outside city limits, which is 19.6% of its total run. It costs the city nearly $384,000 to provide those services outside city limits, Cathy said.

PFD's current response district covers 308 square miles, which Cathy said expands far beyond city limits.

The last contract Cathy said he was able to find with the county was in 2002, however there was no mention of fire and EMS services.

According to New Mexico statutes, counties may contract with municipalities or individuals for purchase of firefighting services for the county or certain areas in the county, and the contract price should be based upon the cost of the services, equipment, and insurance necessary, Cathy said.

Current negotiations with the county "are not going in the direction we need them to be," City Councilor Veronica Cordova said. "I think it's going to go to legal."

Councilor Daniel Boan discussed research he had discovered on EMS gross receipts tax. In San Juan County, a 1.8% gross receipts tax is imposed, which brings in about $7 million a year to help fund the fire department and dispatch services, Boan said.

"I think we should look into that," Boan said.

The council gave Cathy the green light to present to the county at its next meeting on why he thinks they should enter into a contract with PFD to provide services outside city limits.

In other items of business at Tuesday's meeting:

• The council approved the execution and delivery of a local government planning grant from the New Mexico Finance Authority. The grant is for $50,000 and will be used for the city's comprehensive economic development plan.

• The council approved to commit a portion of capital outlay funds to establish a regional behavioral health facility in eastern New Mexico. The Legislature has already appropriated about $10 million for the project.

• Police Chief Christopher Williams presented to the council the state's "latest go round for funding" for officer recruitment and retention. Williams said they are to receive $393,750 from the state and are looking to make improvements to the department, such as new fencing, new vehicles and tasers. They have also been awarded separate funding for three positions, up to $75,000 each. The reason for the grant is to "enable the ability to add staff to the already struggling police departments in the state," City Manager Sarah Austin said. Any money that's not spent will go back to the state.