By Mary Alice Murphy

Grant County commissioners met in regular session Thursday, Sept. 11, 2014, for a short meeting prior to taking a tour of the Detention Center.

Chairman Brett Kasten, at the beginning of the session, called for a moment of silence for the victims of 9/11.

He also requested a modification to the bond resolution, lowering the amount from $6,505,000 to $6,200,000, because of favorable interest rates. "The resolution is correct, but we got the information to Denisha (Lucero, administrative assistant) too late for the agenda."

During public input, Lucy Whitmarsh, Pinos Altos Volunteer Fire and Rescue Department chief, announced the annual October Fiesta, a benefit to the department, to be held from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 4, on MainStreet in Pinos Altos. "We will have a visit from Sheriff Pat Garrett, who will be looking for Billy the Kid, and perhaps apprehending him. We will have vendors and food. Our website, www.pavfr.org offers information to sign up to be a vendor.

Louann Palomares expressed her concern about sheriff and police officers. "The officers are stopping kids and taking their dope and money and then letting them go. Something has to be done. What do you have to offer to stop this? A kid who is stopped gives the drugs and money to the officer and then is let go."

Kasten warned her: "I hope you have substantial proof for your serious allegations."

"One was my son, so I know it was fact," Palomares said.

Kasten asked her to meet with the sheriff on the issue. "He has an open-door policy."

"I sure will," Palomares said.

Financial Officer Linda Vasquez presented the financial report. She said expenditures, not including payroll for the period ending Sept. 8, 2014, were $731,819.84, including a check to Mira Loma Construction for $41,324.88 for the fairground exhibit building, a check to Sacaton Construction for $58,418.78 for the Tyrone Fire Station expansion; $162,738 to Artesia Fire Equipment for a new fire truck for Tyrone Volunteer Fire Department. Payroll was for $208,835.78, for a total expenditure of $940,655.62.

Under new business, commissioners approved changes in the Sheriff's Office Disciplinary Policy and Patrol Lieutenant Job Description Policy.

Sheriff Raul Villanueva said the changes were to update the policy in answer to questions he had received.

Assessor Mary Guthrie addressed the next agenda item, which was to approve the certificate of property tax rates in mills for tax year 2014.

"I found some discrepancies and contacted the Department of Finance and Administration," Guthrie said. "They were corrected. The tax rates are slightly down due to school tax being down, as well as a result of excellent work of the appraisers."

While the state 2013 rate of 0.001360 remained the same for 2014, last year's county residential rate was 0.006310, as compared to the 2014 rate of 0.006245. The non-residential rate for 2013 was 0.011850, the same as the 2014 tax rate. County debt service went down from 2013's rate of 0.001194 to 2014's rate of 0.001169.

Mark Valenzuela, bond counsel from George K. Baum and Company, handed to the commissioners a document of the final numbers for the bond transaction. "It was a volatile market yesterday, but you received a fantastic result, with a total of $6.2 million at an interest rate of 3.69 percent over 30 years. Adding on the credit bond insurance saved the county almost $1 million." He said $6 million would go into the county's construction fund. Costs included $18,000 for the credit enhancement insurance and $24,000 for a surety bond. The annual payment on average will be $345,000, down from an expected $375,000. "The key for you is the yield, which will be .4 percent in year one to 4 percent in year 30. We saw a lot of New Mexico activity for these bonds." He concurred that the costs outlined in the contract were somewhat high. The fee for Piper Jaffray, the underwriter, was high because the company took the risk.

Kasten said he really appreciated Valenzuela's hard work. "This went so much better than we thought it would. I was nervous giving the presentation in Dallas, but I guess it paid off. We have also talked about reissuing the 2005 detention center bonds to save Grant County about $150,000. I will get back to you on this."

Commissioners Gabriel Ramos and Ron Hall also thanked Valenzuela, as well as Kasten for his work on the bond issue.

"I was out of my comfort zone on this bond issue," County Attorney Abigail Robinson said. "Mark really helped us."

Valenzuela noted that it was important to get the time stamp on the approval of the bond issuance. It was completed after other business was finished.

As the Grant County Indigent and Health Plan Claims Board, the commissioners approved an indigent burial certificate at Terrazas Funeral Chapels for James Vaughan.

Villanueva said his officers would be participating in several events this weekend, including the James Pirtle Walk for the Heroes, Red Hot Children's Fiesta and Pickamania! at Gough Park. "I ask the community to support the Walk for the Heroes."

Commissioners recessed for a tour of the Detention Center, from which they adjourned. Before leaving for the jail, commissioners signed the bond documents and time stamped them.

The commissioners will not hold a meeting the fourth week of September, because of the County Fair. The next meeting will be a combined work and regular session at 9 a.m. Tuesday, Oct. 7, at the Grant County Administration Center Commissioners' Room.