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Published: 21 July 2017 21 July 2017

Editor's Note: Part two of this series of articles on the Grant County Commission work and regular sessions begin with a presentation on the Affordable Housing Plan and a presentation on property taxes and gets into the agenda items.

By Mary Alice Murphy

After the presentation on the proposed amended joint powers agreement of the New Mexico Central Arizona Project Entity at Tuesday, July 18, 2017's work session, which can be read at http://www.grantcountybeat.com/news/news-articles/38201-grant-county-commission-held-work-and-regular-sessions-this-week-july-18and-20-2017 , Southwest New Mexico Council of Government Executive Director Priscilla Lucero presented the Affordable Housing Plan.

"I've been involved with housing for many years, including rehabilitation and weatherization of homes," Lucero said. "My very first job was with the housing authority. I will go over some of the requirements."

She said a checklist is the primary thing to allow local government to donate property to be able to assist in creating affordable housing. "Most of the time, we see opportunities in cities or towns to help create multi-family housing by waiving some fees. The move now is to provide housing for the homeless and for seniors. Donations of land or infrastructure enhance applications. That is why developers are partnering with government entities. The New Market Tax Program has four county regions, and it has homeless toolkits. Currently, Silver City has an Affordable Housing Plan. Vistas de Plata was developed and can utilize USDA funding, as well as funding available to those with low income. Silver City donated the land. The intent of the town's plan was to provide more workforce housing for law enforcement and nursing."

Commissioners had no questions.

Next on the agenda was a PowerPoint presentation given by Assessor Raul Turrieta. He said the unprotested value of property taxes for the year was $425 million, which meant that after properties have gone through the protest period some additional taxes will be added into the number.

"We have lost $2 million in cattle value, with a 2.2 percent decrease," Turrieta said. "I don't understand it."

Commissioner Billy Billings said 2015 was probably the peak price of a 30-year cycle. "Since then the value of cattle has dropped. Where does the property tax division get its information?"

Turrieta said PTD personnel go to auction barns.

"So the difference in reporting is not from Grant County, it's from the state?" Billings tried to clarify.

"There are different rates and classifications for different counties," Turrieta said.

Commissioner Harry Browne asked if the number was just the number of cows, and Turrieta added: "And horses, sheep and llamas."

Turrieta said the watershed payment had a slight increase, but copper value was down, having been $227 million in 2016 and $219 million in 2017.

Browne asked if the mill rate would change. Turrieta replied that it would not change much. "I will get the final numbers in September."

"So there will be a slight increase in property tax revenue?" Browne asked. Turrieta said: "A little bit."

In the review of the regular meeting agenda, the first item was the expenditure report from June 8-July 11. Financial Officer Linda Vasquez presented the report. The total expenditures for the month were $3,498,016.14, which includes two payroll periods of $442,674.10. Extraordinary expenses over $10,000 include four to Ascent Aviation for May 2017 Jet-A fuel for $14,633.87, for June 2017 Jet-A fuel and June 2017 refueler lease for $17,781.28, June 2017 Jet-A fuel and Avgas freight charges for $41,754.17, and for June 2017 Jet-A fuel and July 2017 refueler lease for $16,358.46; to Bank of Albuquerque for debt service for gross receipts tax revenue bonds of $238,208.23; to Computer Assets for camera system and accessories for Dispatch for $12,427.76; to Cooperative Educational Services for professional services for Comprehensive Land Use Plan and Lower Mimbres storage tank for $12,405.85; to Creative Bus Sales for 2017 shuttle bus for $24,736.37; to Fuel Center Plus for May 2017 off-road diesel for Road Department for $$15,368.56, to Grant County Manager's Office for the Oct. 2016-April 2017 reimbursement from Corre Caminos for fiscal agent billing for $93,239.60; to HCP Systems LLC for May-June medical management services at the Detention Center for $28,845.94; to Morrow Enterprises, Inc. for construction progress payment for North Hurley Road Colonias project for $200,021.93; to New Mexico State Land Office for mineral royalties from the gravel pit for $135,373.34; to New Mexico State University for the April-June quarterly extension service contribution for $17,000; to Occam Engineers Inc. for engineering services on Colonias projects for $30,865.32; to Performance Breaking Inc. for excavating for Tu Casa for $15,552; to Professional Document Systems for Novus Agenda Software and Micro Fiche for $23,906.13; to Rich Ford for 2017 Ford Police Utility Vehicle and equipment for $39,089.41, to Shamrock Food Company for congregate meals and home delivery foods for senior programs for $11,657.56; to Southwest Concrete and Paving for hot mix for road projects for $21,088.25; to Southwest Solid Waste Authority for May 2017 billing of tipping fees for $45,612.89; two to Summit Food Service LLC for April 2017 inmate meals and snacks for $22,351.30 and for May 2017 inmate meals and snacks for $23,288.50; to Tyler Technologies for 2017-2018 software renewal for $40,730.02; to White Sands Construction for construction progress payment for Tu Casa for $242,924.62; and to Wright Express Fleet Services for May 2017 fuel charges for $24,875.61.

Browne asked County Manager Charlene Webb if a 60-day procurement is a hardship? Webb replied that sometimes they require more time for locals.

Browne added at the regular meeting that he thought one presentation of the expenditures was enough and thought it appropriate for the work session.

Commission Chairman Brett Kasten said it had been done twice in the past for those who watch the meetings on CATS TV.

Billings concurred that once was enough. Browne suggested it be posted to the new website.

County Manager Charlene Webb said she agrees that it is cumbersome, and "we are getting closer to having it electronically."

The commissioners approved the expenditure report at the Thursday regular meeting.

They also approved a proclamation declaring July 22-July 30, 2017 as Clay Festival Week. Browne on Thursday said he was looking forward to being a dealer at the Poker Tournament, and Kasten said he would see him there.

The next item of business was to extend the agreement with the High Desert Humane Society to provide animal control services in Grant County. Webb said the amendment had not changed other than extending it for another year. The item was approved unanimously at the Thursday meeting.

The next item of business, which was to approve the agreement with the USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service Wildlife Services for the 2018 fiscal year work plan program, brought comments from Commissioner Alicia Edwards at the regular session. Webb had explained at the work session that the program provides resources to livestock owners and agriculture impacted by predators.

Edwards said she thought the title was inappropriate. "And it also doesn't seem to include deer as a nuisance. I'm not in favor of shooting them, but deer are a nuisance. The total verified loss of predation totals $1600.08. That is $14 per verified loss. I'm in favor of giving the money to the ranchers and farmers rather than to the personnel who go out to catch the predators."

Billings noted it is almost impossible to verify losses, "and it is too onerous on those losing livestock."

Edwards said a rancher should be able to verify with a photograph and the value of the loss. "It sounds like you as a rancher would benefit by receiving the money, rather than paying someone 12 hours a week to cover a huge area."

Browne asked if the commission could get a presentation on the program. Webb said she could attempt to get someone, but "it has taken 2 ½ years just to get this report. It's been easier in other areas. The fellow who oversees us is in Las Cruces."

Browne said that M44s have killed humans and dogs. "It sounds indiscriminate and dangerous. Do we use them here?"

Webb said she could ask the question.

"Presumably, they are decreasing the amount of predation," Browne said. "I would like to explore the question."

Edwards she would not have an issue with compensating ranchers.

Webb said the Taylor Grazing Act does not allow the reimbursement of losses. "The federal act gets so many dollars and our share comes directly to us. We pay for part of this program with these funds, but we cannot use them for reimbursement."

On Thursday, the vote was 3-2 to approve, with the nays coming from Edwards and Browne.

The next item addressed professional service agreements between Grant County Juvenile Probation and two contractors: Gary Stailey and James Graham.

"Having worked with Gary Stailey, I can say what is happening is pretty amazing," Edwards said. "Because of Gary and this program, The Volunteer Center garden is thriving. I give a shout out to Gary, the youths who have worked in the garden and to Bianca (Padilla) of the JPO."

Browne said that Stailey had received the Cesar Chavez Award for his work.

The contracts were approved at Thursday's meeting.

Another agenda item addressed professional service agreements between the Grant County Surveillance Program and contractors, Felix Ortega and Luis Alvarado. They were approved at the regular meeting without discussion.

The public comment and commissioner comments on the next agenda item—the amended joint powers agreement of the New Mexico Central Arizona Project Entity will be covered in a future article.