Editor's Note: Part five and the final article of this series of articles on the Grant County Commission work and regular sessions of July 18 and 20, 2017, will address county and elected officials' reports.

By Mary Alice Murphy

At the work session on Tuesday, July 28, 2017, Grant County Community Health Council Director Cari Lemon presented the first report.

"The Health Council is expanding its communication among members," Lemon said. "We have moved from quarterly meetings to a meeting every other month. The members at their meeting yesterday (July 17, 2017) approved new co-chairs, Judy O'Loughlin and Mary Alice Murphy, to replace the long-serving Priscilla Lucero and Terry Anderson."

Lemon said she sits on the New Mexico Health Council Alliance. "At last week's meeting, we discussed starting conversations with the New Mexico Association of Counties. We are not sure what it will lead to, but we hope to explore how councils can work more effectively with county governments. As I learn more, I will share that information."

She noted that the New Mexico Department of Health still provides some money to health councils. "We have received our 2017-18 deliverables. They are asking health councils to choose specific priorities for the year, utilizing evidence-based research and reaching outcomes. We thought about what we can do to beef us our case for increased funding. We are already looking at and partnering with others around the community on diabetes prevention, which is one of DOH's super-priorities. Teen pregnancy is also one of the super-priorities, but we are choosing to continue our work with community partners on substance abuse prevention, another super-priority."

"We are looking at the substance abuse issue, along with the Inmate Support Group and Tu Casa, as well as the Youth Substance Abuse Prevention Coalition," Lemon said.

She announced a breakfast and lecture, Tuesday, July 25, at 8 a.m. at the Western New Mexico University Besse-Forward Global Resource Center, hosted by the Community Partnership for Children, as a lead in to a full day of training for child-care providers wanting to learn more about the shared-services model and how early child care affects the work force.

"Lastly, I ask you to save the date for September 9, for the Red Hot Children's Fiesta, which brings resources to families. Last year, we had 40 booths with information for families and activities for kids," Lemon concluded.

Road Department Superintendent Earl Moore said his staff has done a couple of weeks of chip sealing, and has one more road to go. "We will finish the low water crossing in Wind Canyon."

Community Development and Planner Michael "Mischa" Larisch said the Tu Casa framing had begun the day before (Monday). "We are waiting on a survey for trenching for the water and wastewater. They finished the LS Mesa fire station and are working on the punch list. We had a permitting issue for the Santa Rita fire station and are working on it. The energy efficiency paperwork is being reviewed. I will be finalizing the ICIP (infrastructure capital improvement plan) and welcome input. We completed the hearings."

During commissioner comments at the work session, Commissioner Harry Browne gave an estimate of the potential electric costs for the digital sign for the conference center and estimated $11,700 a year.

[Editor's Note: He was working off the wrong information. At the regular session, he changed his estimate to $4,500 a year.]

Commissioner Billy Billings said the prior day's Gila Regional Medical Center Board of Trustees emergency meeting made one thing clear. "There is no transition process. I have some concerns to determine what course of action we have going forward. We had ill people there last night in a struggle for life. Not having the forethought of transition is wrong. We can argue about whose fault it was. This morning after the University of New Mexico Cancer Center was brought on, I'm wondering what the options are. This is a county-owned hospital. Is there anything we can do more immediately?"

Commissioner Gabriel Ramos said it would have to be discussed in a closed session.

At the regular meeting on Thursday, July 20, 2017, the first to report was Undersheriff Kevin Flamm. "June was extremely busy with 713 calls for service. Currently, we are going through the interview process to fill a security position and for perspective deputies."

Treasurer Steve Armendariz thanked his staff for the "excellent job they've done in trying times." He said his office in the past month has received $108,000 for the county general fund and $14,000 for debt service.

"We sent out a courtesy letter to 380 people for those delinquent in taxes for 2014, 2015 and 2016," Armendariz said. "Two hundred-seventy-four responded and paid their bills. The 106 who did not respond get a $125 state fee added to their tax bill. These delinquencies include 131 names of properties. Twenty-five has more than 2014 taxes due. They will incur $160,000 in fees. We will have taxes of $111,000 that we will collect and distribute. The state will collect $46,000 for this tax year."

Commissioner Alicia Edward asked if those who responded paid their whole bills.

"The majority paid for the 2014 taxes, but 20 percent to 25 percent came and brought their taxes up to current," Armendariz replied.

Commission Chairman Brett Kasten said he had a constituent call and say that he bought a property in the tax sale and asked if the county took title of it while it was delinquent. "I said no. He wondered because it had a county lien for not paying solid waste fees."

Armendariz said every time Ted Martinez sends out the solid waste bills, he gets 20 to 30 calls and has to explain it is not for trash pickup, it is for the county landfill.

"When commissioners passed that fee, they declared it a use fee, not a tax," Commissioner Harry Browne said. "It's a tax and we should call it a tax, and we should not have to pay tax on tax."

Armendariz said the state issues deeds to those who buy property in the tax sale. "We just got proceeds from the latest tax sale. Individuals who bought property need to come in and record the deed from the state with the county clerk."

Connie Holguin, chief deputy clerk, announced a special bond election going on for the Cobre School District. Early voting began July 21 in the Clerk's Office from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, and goes through Aug. 11, with Election Day set for Aug. 15.

Ramos said the election was to renew the school bonds.

Billings asked why the commissioners had not heard a hospital report this month.

Webb said she would extend the invitation again. "If you have anything in particular for her to address, she would like to know. Give her the benefit of doubt. She's had her hands full."

Kasten suggested the county ask for a written report, which can be sent by email and then commissioners can ask for comments on various aspects of the report.

Billings said: "On the subject of the hospital, the Board of Trustees had meetings. I'm disappointed the board heard valued input that they could have acted on. Nancy Thomas was one who spoke candidly. We know her because we rented her sister's cabins in Glenwood. She is traveling to Albuquerque taking her sister for cancer care. Nancy is driving using her sister's eyes. The hospital is putting people at risk without any transition planning. When Gila Regional sent the notice of termination, they should have hammered out a transition plan then. I caution Gila Regional not to place any blame on their website. They need to move forward so it never happens again."

"Just to be clear, I support the caregivers and the hospital," Billings emphasized. "I was recently there for 26 hours because of a faulty EKG. I got excellent care and service. I have no complaint about the people working in the trenches in the hospital.

"We need factual information from the elected officials and from the commissioners," he continued. "This morning, during public comment, I heard factual information and distraction from the facts. Ranchers do not want a slaughterhouse and dairy. There is a rift between ranchers and dairy owners. I don't think beef production is a drain on the economy. That person also gave useful comments. Ranchers do not conspire with the state. We, for one, over-report our number of cattle. Prices have dropped 20 percent to 22 percent year to year. It doesn't just affect our income."

Browne said he understood that revenue is not the same as profit.

Billings said a rancher may have a loss, but "we spend everything we make."

Browne said when he ran for commissioner, his practical goal was to see commissioners have such discussions. "I know we don't always agree, but I appreciate the opportunity for discussion. I would like to hear more and all perspectives."

Ramos said he got an email from a gentleman who works at the Cancer Center and decided to stick around. "For the right purpose, he stuck around to take care of the people. Some left, even though they said they were for the people. They could have stuck around to help. I think it was disrespectful," as he cleared his throat. "I get choked up about it. Things do happen with RFPs that we sometimes have no control over. I was excited to hear of another one who stuck around and I hope all goes well. I would like to tell the Board of Trustees that I appreciate what you do and I know you do the best you can with what you've got and for no pay."

He also congratulated the Copper League 10-11 year-old girls who won state. "In that age group, it's really hard to win. And many of their games were won by the 10-run rule."

Kasten, in his report, said he knows Grant County is perceived as backwoodsy and not very sophisticated. "If as diverse a group as we are could work as well together as we do across the nation, it would be great for the country. Yes, we do butt heads."

"When it comes to public comments, it is not an advertisement for a certain group," Kasten continued. "We need to have the truth or we're probably not going to have public input. I will not point out individuals."

Kasten said the commissioners would go into executive session and would come out and adjourn after taking no action. The agenda noted the purpose of the session was pending or threatened litigation.