By Mary Alice Murphy

This morning, Thursday, Feb. 18, 2016, the Grant County Commission held a combined work and regular session as its one meeting this month.

During county reports, Road Department Superintendent Earl Moore said he would be meeting with a resident that accused the county of using eminent domain during the water line replacement and work on Rosedale Road.

"I will assure him that the work we are doing is well within the county's right-of way, and that the road will be the same as it was, only better," Moore said.

At the beginning of the meeting, no one had public input and no one came forward for the public hearing, which addressed the adoption of Ordinance 16-02 entitled: Loma Verde Estates Subdivision Community Area Improvement District Assessment Levy Ordinance. Commissioners approved it.

Financial Officer Linda Vasquez gave the financial reports. The expenditure report totaled $3,261,581.59 for the month. It included the final partial pay period of calendar year 2015 and two full pay periods and a small pay period this year totaling $433,709.92.

Accounts payable included a check to Bohannon Huston for the Grant County Airport runway design of about $45,000; a quarterly payment to High Desert Humane Society for $15,000; Wright Express for fuel for about $19,000; a check to Stoven Construction for the Conference Center of about $70,000; to HCP Systems for medical management at the Detention Center for $44,000; multiline and law enforcement insurance for $629,000; two fire brush trucks for $245,000; and Architectural Workshop for work on the Tu Casa Continuum of Care and the conference center for $50,000.

Vasquez also presented the quarterly report for the General Fund, Road Department Fund and Corrections Fund. The General Fund, as of Dec. 31, 2015, had a cash balance of $1,067,955, and of that balance, the required reserves are $1,047,713. The Road Department had a cash balance of $240,211, with required reserves of $62,713. The Corrections Fund, after a January transfer had $155,000. It has no required reserve and the second half transfer will go into the fund in May, according to Vasquez.

Commissioners approved a proclamation naming the week of April 4-10 as Grant County Seed Library Week. No one was present to receive the proclamation.

Candace Breen Lee of the Spay, Neuter Assistance Program (SNAP), said the group helps low-income pet owners to spay and neuter their companion animals. "We have branched into Hidalgo and Catron counties, too. We do not duplicate what the High Desert Humane Society does with HALT (Halt a Litter Today). We work together. Heidi Ogas of HDHS says between us we have reduced shelter intake by 40 percent. We spayed and neutered 220 dogs and cats last year. May husband and I found a small Chihuahua and took him in. It cost us with HALT $37.50 to neuter him. If we had qualified for SNAP, it would have cost us $20. We have very low overhead of 1.2 percent of the donations we receive. On the cards we hand out, the phone numbers are our home numbers."

In talking with other SNAP groups throughout the state, she said they found that they receive funding from local governments. "Today, we are asking for $2,000 a year recurring. Euthanasia rates have gone down, but they are still not acceptable."

Commission Chairman Brett Kasten asked Lee how much Silver City puts into SNAP. "The town will be writing us a check for a one-time $1,000. After the election, we will be asking for recurring funding," Lee replied. "I have also sent a packet to Bayard and the shelter director in Hurley will approach the town council."

Kasten said the commissioners would make it part of their budget conversation.

Randy Villa said he wanted to recognize those working on the CWPP (County-wide protection plan) fire protection plan. The group continues to meet quarterly and updates the plan annually.

Commissioner Hall asked who was included among the members of the core team. Villa said they include the public, the Forest Service, State Forestry, Bureau of Land Management, Silver City Fire Department and the state Land Office. "We are working with the Forest Service on the proposed prescribed burn at Fort Bayard and will use it for training purposes. Grant County takes the lead on the group."

Commissioner Gabriel Ramos said the Eco-watershed Committee meets with the same groups. "Thank you for your work on this."

Commissioners approved:
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