Roosevelt County Commission Minutes

Tuesday, May 23, 2023

County Commission Room

Roosevelt County Courthouse

Portales, New Mexico 88130

The Roosevelt County Commission met in regular business meeting on Tuesday May 23, 2023 at 9:00 a.m. in the County Commission Room with those present being: Commissioner Paul Grider, Commissioner Rodney Savage, Commissioner Tina Dixon, Commissioner Roy Lee Criswell, Commissioner Dennis Lopez, County Manager Amber Hamilton, County Attorney Michael Garcia (by zoom), Assistant County Manager Liliana Rivera, Clerk Mandi Park, Sheriff Javier Sanchez, Chief Deputy Bryan Holmes, Assessor Stevin Floyd, Treasurer Layle Sanchez, Milnesand Fire Chief Russell Bilbrey, Arch EMS Chief Hugh Frank, 4H Agent Ryan Craig and community member Kenny Reed.

Call to Order – Commissioner Grider at 9:00 a.m.

Invocation – Amber Hamilton

Pledge – Commissioner Grider

Approval of Agenda: A motion to approve the agenda was made by Commissioner Lopez with a second from Commissioner Savage. Commissioner Grider-Yes, Commissioner Dixon-Yes, Commissioner Criswell-Yes, Commissioner Savage-Yes, Commissioner Lopez-Yes.

Approval of Minutes: A motion to approve the minutes from the May 2, 2023 regular meeting and the 4 FY-24 budget workshops was made by Commissioner Savage with a second from Commissioner Grider. Commissioner Grider-Yes, Commissioner Dixon-Yes, Commissioner Criswell-Yes, Commissioner Savage-Yes, Commissioner Lopez-Yes.

Approval of Accounts Payable and Payroll for April 1-30, 2023: Commissioner Grider made a motion to approve the accounts payable and payroll for the month of April as presented, with a second from Commissioner Savage. Commissioner Grider-Yes, Commissioner Dixon-Yes, Commissioner Criswell-Yes, Commissioner Savage-Yes, Commissioner Lopez-Yes.

Public Requests: There were no public requests.

Informational Presentation: 4-H Agent Ryan Craig presented the bi-annual report for the county extension office. He stated Mr. Kircher assisted in preparing the handout that was provided. Mr. Craig stated there are currently 182 youth enrolled in county 4-H programs. He stated that number is growing though it is not back to the pre-pandemic level. He stated the kids are involved in a variety of programs and are traveling. Mr. Craig was pleased with the turn-out at the safety day hosted on the fairgrounds. He stated more than 300 kids participated and more than 40 adult chaperones helped with the event. Mr. Craig stated the district contest will be held in Portales this year, in mid-June with participants from nine counties. Mr. Craig stated Mr. Kircher has multiple programs and trainings scheduled with opportunities for continuing education units. Commissioner Lopez commended Mr. Craig and the extension staff for the work they are doing. Commissioner Savage also noted the assistance from the extension office on the district 4 livestock judging. He stated the district judging competition is a combined effort between FFA, 4-H, ENMU and NMSU. Mr. Craig stated he and his colleagues serve Roosevelt County and the entire region to help them to better themselves. Commissioners thanked Mr. Craig and the extension staff for their experience and expertise.

Elected Officials and Department Heads Reports:

Clerk: Ms. Park reported the upcoming deadlines for the 2023 Regular Local Election scheduled for November 2023, stating entities that need space on the ballot for candidates or questions must notify the clerk’s office between June 10 and July 10. Following that deadline Ms. Park must notify the SOS of the races and questions to be placed on the ballot. The SOS will issue the election proclamation on August 9, 2023. Candidate filing day will be held August 29, 2023. Ms. Park stated she had reached out to the City of Portales and the Town of Elida to notify them of the deadlines for opting in to the RLE. She stated Elida had discussed the possibility back in February and chose to continue to hold their own Municipal Officer Election in March of 2024. Ms. Park presented to the Portales City Council on May 9, 2023. A resolution to opt-in to the RLE is on their agenda for this evening’s meeting. Ms. Park stated she and Lisa will be attending the NMC Conference in June. Ms. Park reminded the commission they will appoint a five-member board of registration for a two-year term at the next meeting and asked for recommendations. Ms. Park stated the current members have all expressed a willingness to continue. Ms. Park stated she will present a resolution designating polling locations at the next meeting.

Treasurer: Ms. Sanchez reported the General Fund cash balances for the month of March as follows: Beginning cash balance of $2,044,588.76 with debits of $634,369.46 and credits of $659,747.47 leaving an ending balance of $2,019,210.75 at the end of March.

Manager: Ms. Hamilton stated there is state funding for approximately 40-50 student workers to participate in the 7-week summer intern program. Three coordinators have been hired to supervise the students. There is additional information on the website for students and parents. Ms. Hamilton stated the county has applied for federal funding for projects at the detention center and the courthouse. She also confirmed that the storage container at the extension office will be removed within 30 days, according to the owner. Ms. Hamilton stated the district court will be utilizing space in the basement for drug court. She stated they will be doing some flooring and paint upgrades before moving in. Ms. Hamilton stated the courthouse parking lot micro-seal that was scheduled for last weekend was rescheduled due to rain. She stated paint at the Bonem Home and extension office parking lots will be completed and the TPF projects will be closed out by June 30, 2023. She stated the bid for re-stucco at La Casa was awarded and that will begin when the contractor has finished the project at the detention center. Ms. Hamilton stated the RAID grant has been received and the signs discouraging illegal dumping have been placed in problem areas of the county. She also stated the reward for information on illegal dumping implemented by the commission a few years ago is still in place. She noted the grant will cover the cost of a street banner that will go up as well. Ms. Hamilton discussed a $209,000 surprise bill from General Services Department for healthcare cost increases. There were no increases to premiums last year, and no action taken in the legislative session. The bills caught counties, municipalities, higher education and other entities off guard. New Mexico Counties has made public their opposition to the billing that was not covered within the county budgets since there was not an increase in premiums.

Commissioners: Commissioner Criswell stated he had received complaints about trees on county road right of ways, particularly, county road 19 west out of Elida and SRR 35. He asked if those trees could be removed or trimmed. Commissioners Dixon and Criswell met with city negotiators and reported a positive and encouraging meeting. Commissioner Lopez asked if there were any detainee work details that could assist with tree trimming. Ms. Hamilton stated they could coordinate with detention and road to have them help with the tree debris removal. Commissioner Dixon reported congress has passed a bill to de-list the lesser prairie chicken but it has not been signed by the president yet. Veto is possible. Commissioner Savage stated SRR 8 from the 3^rd curve to SRR G has become hazardous. He stated dodging potholes at 55 MPH is difficult. Ms. Hamilton said there is a process for reducing the speed limit on a county road and would have Mr. Lovato look in to it. They may be able to do some patching until the funding for the project is available. She noted SRR 8 is on the 5-year plan. Commissioner Lopez stated he is pleased that the SRR 6 project with the city is moving forward. He asked if we could partner with the city to get Lime Street in front of the fairgrounds done as well. Ms. Hamilton stated Lime Street is a priority, but we do not have the capacity for an additional project at this time.

New Business:
Consideration and Request for approval of FY24 Preliminary Budget: At 9:55 am, Commissioner Lopez made a motion to go into public hearing regarding the FY-24 budget with a second from Commissioner Dixon. Commissioner Grider-Yes, Commissioner Dixon-Yes, Commissioner Criswell-Yes, Commissioner Savage-Yes, Commissioner Lopez-Yes. Ms. Hamilton gave an overview of the budget, stating currently there is a positive margin of approximately $18,000.00. She stated there was an increase in the workers compensation rate brining the payroll budget to $6,830,000.00 out of about $10,900,000.00 in revenue. Revenue is projected at 94% collections. The only change in the organizational chart is the .5FTE position added in the clerk’s office. Commissioner Lopez made a motion to come out of public hearing at 10:01 am, with a second by Commissioner Dixon. Commissioner Grider-Yes, Commissioner Dixon-Yes, Commissioner Criswell-Yes, Commissioner Savage-Yes, Commissioner Lopez-Yes. Commissioner Lopez made a motion to approve the preliminary budget as presented with a second by Commissioner Grider. Commissioner Grider-Yes, Commissioner Dixon-Yes, Commissioner Criswell-Yes, Commissioner Savage-Yes, Commissioner Lopez-Yes.

Contracts – Agreements – Procurements:
Request for Approval of Purchase of a 2023 F250 Crew Cab for a Command Vehicle for Milnesand Volunteer Fire Department per Statewide Price Agreement #00-00000-20-00088: Chief Bilbrey stated the department is in need of a command vehicle and has located the vehicle at Chalmers Ford in Ruidoso NM. He stated they are an approved vendor on the state price agreement. Commissioner Dixon made a motion to approve the purchase as requested, with a second by Commissioner Lopez. Commissioner Grider-Yes, Commissioner Dixon-Yes, Commissioner Criswell-Yes, Commissioner Savage-Yes.

Request for Approval of 5-Year Purchase Agreement for a LIFEPAK 15 for Arch Volunteer Fire Department per Statewide Price Agreement #00-00000-19-00034AC: Rivera and EMS Chief Frank presented the purchase agreement with Stryker for a 5-year purchase of the LIFEPAK 15. Stryker is an approved vendor on the state price agreement. Commissioner Lopez made a motion to approve the purchase as requested, with a second by Commissioner Savage. Commissioner Grider-Yes, Commissioner Dixon-Yes, Commissioner Criswell-Yes, Commissioner Savage-Yes.

Request for Approval of Award of RFP 2023-07 Roosevelt County Detention Center Comprehensive Detainee Medical, Mental and Ancillary Healthcare Services to Road Runner Health Services, LLC and Negotiate Final Contractual Agreement: Hamilton stated the RFP has been in the works since February when the county was made aware that WellPath would not be seeking a renewal of the medical contract. Ms. Hamilton stated the local hospital was not able to provide the services at this time. Ms. Hamilton requested approval to negotiate a final contract with Road Runner Health Services LLC. Commissioner Lopez made a motion to approve the award of RFP 2023-07, with a second by Commissioner Grider. Commissioner Grider-Yes, Commissioner Dixon-Yes, Commissioner Criswell-Yes, Commissioner Savage-Yes.

Executive Session: Commissioner Grider made a motion to go into executive session at 10:07 am with a second by Commissioner Dixon. Commissioner Dixon read from the agenda the topics of discussion for the closed session. Commissioner Grider-Yes, Commissioner Dixon-Yes, Commissioner Criswell-Yes, Commissioner Savage-Yes, Commissioner Lopez-Yes. At 10:48 am Commissioner Dixon made a motion to come out of executive session with a second by Commissioner Lopez. Commissioner Grider-Yes, Commissioner Dixon-Yes, Commissioner Criswell-Yes, Commissioner Savage-Yes, Commissioner Lopez-Yes. Commissioner Grider stated no action was taken in executive session, and no action is necessary as a result of the executive session.