By Mary Alice Murphy
At Tuesday morning's work session, Grant County commissioners heard from County Manager Charlene Webb that the approval of seven Shooting Range Board members would likely be done at a March or April meeting, because "we need to have a more thorough policy in place first." Webb also added an item to contracts and agreements between Grant County and Integrative Leasing for a lease-purchase of an ambulance for Gila Regional Medical Center Emergency Medical Services.
Financial Officer Linda Vasquez presented the county expenditures from Jan. 2 through Feb. 20. Accounts payable included a payment to Architectural Workshop for tasks related to the Business and Conference Center; a payment to New Mexico State University Cooperative Extension Service for $16,250; the second quarter payment to High Desert Humane Society for $16,375; to the New Mexico Counties Insurance Authority for $283,171, for law enforcement liability insurance; $242,000 to the NMCIA for the multi-line pool; to Mira Loma Construction for work on the exhibit hall at the Fairgrounds for $44,912.38; to Stone, McGee, $17,501 for the 2014 audit, totaling $2,417,807.60. Four payrolls totaling $836,468.42 brought the grand total expenditures to $3,254,294.02
The General Fun cash flow analysis shows, as of Dec. 31, 2014, an estimated cash balance at the end of the fiscal year, June 30, at $2,615,254, minus the three-twelfths required reserve of $2,362,053, leaving an estimated surplus of $253,201.
The Road Fund will end the fiscal year with an estimated $138,180, minus the one-twelfth reserve of $137,684, leaving a surplus of $496.
The Corrections Fund, which has no required reserve, is expected to end the year with $39 in its fund.
Commission Chairman Brett Kasten noted that the budget year was half over with this analysis, and "we are staying right on budget."
Under new business, four groups and organizations will present at Thursday's regular meeting-residents on Elias Road will present a petition requesting road improvements, to which Road Superintendent Earl Moore said going through the County Commission is not required, because the Road Department already maintains the road; Silver City Arts and Cultural District will present the director's quarterly report; the High Desert Humane Society, its report; and the 2014 year-end report from the Grant County Food Policy Council.
Commissioners will approve or disapprove at the 9 a.m. regular session on Thursday, Feb. 26: