By Mary Alice Murphy

After completing a long agenda at the combined work and regular sessions meeting on Thursday, July 14, 2016, elected officials gave reports.

Sheriff Raul Villanueva said the department has been extremely busy. "We're fully staffed on paper, but I have two going to the academy in August and two on FLMA (Family and Medical Leave Act), so technically we're four short."

During June the department received 706 calls for service. The sheriff noted that burglaries are on the rise. "It's sporadic throughout the county. I encourage the community, if you see someone suspicious or something that's not right, contact Dispatch."

"With everything that is going on in our nation, we need to support our law enforcement," Villanueva said. "They do their best, not just here, but they are often put into situations where they have to make split-second decisions. I commend my staff for what they do."

Commissioner Ron Hall said that when the community and law enforcement are communicative, things go well.

Commissioner Gabriel Ramos thanked the sheriff "for what you do. There is always room for human error."

Commission Chairman Brett Kasten said last month the issue of Southwest Horseman's Arena and the rodeo came up, and "it was suggested that the rodeo pick up some of the tab for the officers' overtime. You and (County Manager Charlene) Webb need to talk to them for their budget to get them to pay at least part of the costs."

Assessor Raul Turrieta said the staff has been busy with the reappraisal, and with building permits coming in from the state.

Treasurer Steve Armendariz said the total collected in June was $113,000. "There is still about a half million dollars outstanding on 2015 taxes. We have over $4 million outstanding over the past 10 years."

He said he referred 245 accounts to the state that were delinquent more than two years. "We get the tax portion, but the state gets the interest and penalties. We started with 520 delinquent accounts, but calls got some of them to pay up. I've been trying to get the Legislature to look at the delinquent accounts. In many of the 245 delinquent accounts, they owe less than $125, and that's what we have to pay to refer them to the state. It's a serious problem for the state and the taxpayers. We need to address the formula for funding to the Property Tax Division. There is no incentive for them to do tax sales in the way it needs to be done. They are guaranteed their $125 that they collect first. Contrary to statute, they have changed the rules.

"I ask why don't they work the whole list," Armendariz said. "They say they don't have time. The way the state works is, if they have money left in the coffers at the end of the fiscal year, they have to return it to DFA (Department of Finance and Administration), so they do a poor job and only do what they have to."

Hall said the New Mexico Association of Counties had discussed the issue and the Treasurers' Affiliate has talked about the issue.

"If the affiliate is not pro-active, go to our legislators and get the legislation written now," Commission Chairman Brett Kasten said.

Clerk Robert Zamarripa said the primary is in the books. "The recount did not change a single vote. Most times the machines do them right. The recall for the Silver School Board members is on Monday in District Court at 3 p.m."

Kasten asked if the recall would be for each member and was told yes.

Zamarripa said Sept. 19 was the latest date that the recall election could be held, because it has to be a certain amount of time before the General Election.

Kasten asked if those recalled would be off immediately, and the answer was affirmative.

"If all three are recalled, the two remaining members will appoint two, but they have a problem with a quorum," Zamarripa said. "By state law the state Board of Education can appoint one."

The regular election cycle for school board members is February.

County Attorney Abigail Robinson said the recall election must take place no later than 50 days before the General Election, which would be Sept. 19, or 50 days after the General Election, which would be late December.

During county reports for non-elected officials, Gila Regional Medical Center Chief Executive Officer Brian Cunningham thanked all the candidates for the GRMC Board of Trustees.

He also asked to wait on a financial report until next month when he could give the end-of-year report.

"We continue to grow strategically," Cunningham said. "We want to enlarge the operating room space and the labor and delivery area. We are in the next phase of the architecture and engineering, which we should have within the next 90-120 days. Then we'll start moving through the financial aspects."

He said the physician practices are growing. "We continue to try to recruit another ENT (ear, nose and throat) to replace Dr. Sparks, who is retiring. We had one lined up, but it fell through. We may have a time gap in services. We continue to recruit for pediatrics, neurology and anesthesiology."

Hall asked about the program where medical school graduates can get their loans repaid if they serve in a rural area. Cunningham said they were in the process of applying to be able to qualify for the program.

Hall noted that people were having to wait longer to see their physicians. "If they can't get into see their doctor, some practices have walk-ins, but many are going to Las Cruces." Cunningham confirmed it was a challenge.

Ramos said recently when he went to the ER with a kidney stone, "I was treated fantastically."

Kasten also asked about the medical school for doctors of osteopathic medicine opening in Las Cruces. Cunningham said GRMC is working at creating relationships with the new medical school.

Detention Center Administrator Mike Carillo said the jail continues to work on the inmate support group to give support to inmates when they are released. "It worked well for a couple of inmates who left and worked with the resources they were given."

The average daily population for the past month was 78, 19 more than last month; the high male population was 71, 10 more than the previous month; and the high population female at 16, three more.

On July 8, the jail held 91 inmates. "Since last year about this time, the average has been 67, with an average length of stay at 39.25 days. We have had an increase in activity over the last month."

Answering a question that Hall had posed the previous month, Carillo said the average stay of an inmate in the facility after sentencing and before transferring was 30 days. "Most of the inmates are waiting for transport to rehabilitation."

Hall asked if the facility had a heroin problem and how it was being dealt with.

"We are trying to address it medically in the facility," Carillo said. "Overdose has a withdrawal process."

Hall said the addressing the issue should be at Tu Casa, not the jail. Health and recovery are important.

"With addiction, we have to address the mental issues that come along with it," Carillo said.

Planning and Economic Development Director Michael "Mischa" Larisch said he is working on the ICIP (Infrastructure Capital Improvement Plan), so it can be put out for public input. "We are also starting work on the comprehensive land use plan and the land asset plan."

He announced that the $186,000 bond for Tu Casa has sold, so the money would be available. "The surveys are done. The order is in to PNM for electricity, but we need an address from Silver City."

He said a meeting would take place July 22 with the Essential Air Service and asked for input on Boutique Airline.

A pre-bid conference was set for North Hurley Road, and geotechnical data has been ordered for the Santa Rita Volunteer Fire Department station.

"Changes were requested for the LS Mesa Pinos Altos Fire Department Station," Larisch said. "We will re-evaluate the project."

Road Department Superintendent Earl Moore said work had begun on the main roof of the facility. "They will be taking off the old and putting on the new. We will get training on the new chip spreader next week and will start doing chip sealing again. The culverts are in on Rosedale Road. North Hurley Road is out for bid. It will be September or the first of October before we do work. It will be a major project."

General Services Director Randy Villa said the Mangas Valley Fire had taken place the previous evening. "I want to thank all those who helped. We had a lot of departments on hand. The coordinated effort is working well. Without Forest Service aerial support, I think we would have had structure damage. It was estimated at 90.9 acres, and there are still hot spots. It went right up to the highway about 20 miles west of town. Forest Service personnel were on it and Silver City was also on scene. There are still firefighters on scene. The Department of Transportation shut the road down about one hour, then went to one lane, and it was fully open around midnight."

He said his staff members were working on air conditioners in county buildings. Bataan Park, he said, is busy every weekend. The airport runway project would start late August or early September. The Black Fire had 10 airplanes on the ground. "We sold 15,000 to 20,000 gallons of fuel. We had to get an emergency fuel load. As of June, we had $121,000 in purchases and $225,000 in sales, with service fees of $700-$800. And that doesn't show what we sold this month."

Villa said he is working with Senior Services, as the manager retired.

Kasten asked Sen. Howie Morales, who had arrived to the meeting, for an outlook on finances for the next year or so at the state level.

"I have a real concern," Morales said. "We will get an update on Sunday at the Legislative Finance Committee in Ruidoso. I anticipated a special session. I still think we need one. There is a lot of money in the state that is not accounted for. We are looking at 1 percent to 2 percent reserves. As far as next year, I don't think it will be much different from previous years. If there is a special session, we will see cuts, which is a concern, especially for schools, universities, CYFD and other agencies. We're talking worldwide gas prices being down. I'm keeping a close eye on copper. Wish I had firm numbers. I will come in and give a report when I have firm numbers."

Hall said he had read about the potential for cuts.

"We need to throw out the political talking points," Morales said. "We need revenue enhancements, too. I hope the Legislature and the governor can come together to move forward."

Kasten said he had had opportunities to travel a bit this summer. "All the states around us look like they got Miracle-Gro, and we got Roundup. We're lagging the nation in the economy."

"We have to make tough decisions," Morales said.

"We have to put political differences aside," Hall said.

Ramos said he hopes to see future projects for the area.

Webb gave an update on Colonias funding. "We requested a waiver on the match, and we received it, so we can do the planning phase for the Tyrone ADA project. The Colonias program has quite a few changes.

Ramos said he met with the Parks and Recreation Committee. "We talked about safety at Bataan Park. We will do a walk through. Parks and Recreation is also willing to help the conference center by looking at prices for services. On July 26, we will do a walk-through for two proposals on Twin Sisters for a pond or reservoir system. We also discussed a road next to the armory for the new building for the veterans."

He said the CAP Entity members don't like it when people talk about a $1 billion project. "It has never been proposed by us to do a $1 billion project. And the Gila is not the last free-flowing river. Water has been pulled out since homesteading and farming started in the valley. Phelps Dodge has been diverting for many years. I like that Anthony Gutierrez has been meeting with conservation groups to settle their concerns. Now that we have narrowed the project, we can work together for the best project."

Hall said he attended the Youth Advisory Committee to talk about budgets. "Mischa is doing a great job with Tu Casa. I appreciate what everyone is doing for the citizens of Grant County. I also talked to Workforce Connections. They have training for trades, and other means to make a living. We are having constant meetings about Tu Casa. We are developing exciting things. I attended the New Mexico True event downtown. I have a concern that NACo (National Association of Counties) is looking at PILT (Payment in lieu of taxes from the federal government). We depend on that funding to sustain us. I encourage you to contact our federal officials to oppose any changes to PILT."

Carillo said he forget to say that the state has new sentencing and release standards for those with petty misdemeanors. "They remain in jail if they are unable to post bond. It will affect jail populations. Tu Casa will help with release."

Kasten said he hoped that all county officials would like to sign a letter supporting PILT.

"The landfill finally has enough money," he said. "We will do maintenance, and recycling is growing.

"I want to make a remark about the Gila Regional Medical Center appointments," Kasten continued. "I feel we chose three good people. Rudy has done a stellar job, but this board felt the trustees needed financial expertise. And this is for Randy: Cross-country will be starting up. Please make sure the trails are clean."

The next county work session will take place on Aug. 16, with the regular session on Aug. 18.