[Editor's Note: More discussion was held on the bond issue for the county. It is included here.]

By Mary Alice Murphy

At the Grant County Commission work session meeting Tuesday, July 17, 2018, a later item on the agenda was moved forward so that visitors to the meeting could present before the lengthy agenda review.

Lalleh Dayeny and George Willaford of Hilltop Securities gave an update on continuing discussions with the commissioners on a proposed ballot initiative for the November General Election.

"We have talked about putting a bond request for $6 million on the November 6 ballot," Dayeny said. "You have a 32 million capacity with the retirement of an old bond, with no increase to residents' property taxes. We are anticipating asking for the funding in $2 million to $3 million tranches, timed to project needs. We've worked with bond counsel and with Rodey Law Firm. In discussions with county staff, we have identified two broad categories. You have a need for improvements to roads, as well as a need for deferred maintenance to county-owned buildings. They are covered by two different statutes, so there would be two different questions on the ballot, first the buildings for $2 million and the second, roads for $4 million. This is what we talked about in preliminary discussions. We would like to get direction from the commissioners."

Commissioner Harry Browne said the commissioners would approve a general amount at the Thursday regular session. "Is there a chance to better define it next month?"

"Definitely," Dayeny said. "We asked the Rodey Law Firm to generalize the amounts."

Browne asked if the commissioners would have a chance to change the ballot language to be more specific, so people know what they're voting for.

Dayeny said the last chance is in August. She advised that one question should stick to roads.

County Manager Charlene Webb said it will take time to analyze the roads. "We expect to have that in August."

Commission Chairman Billy Billings said he would like to hear more about how to get buy-in from the public.

"Once we identify the projects," Webb said, "we will have an educational push. The reason why the hospital levy several years ago failed was because of a lack of education. We will educate you, and you will share with your constituents."

Dayeny also attended the regular session, accompanied by Luis Coraso of the Rodey Law Firm.

Webb asked what would happen if the bond question was adjusted to $8 million. "Would it change tax rates?" She said discussion had looked at raising money for th hospital

Dayeny said she believed the existing tax rate would support up to $9 million. "It seems you have community support for the hospital."

Webb said it might be more feasible to consider the hospital issue separately form this bonding, "which is critical for our needs."

Billings said he would support a separate question.

Dayeny said two questions could be each for $4 million.

Commissioner Brett Kasten noted that $3 million could replace the roofs and HVAC systems.

Dayeny noted that rates are favorable now.

Corasco said the issue could go back to voters at a later time, but it would likely be a mail-only ballot versus a general election ballot.

Webb then jumped to the issue of the Department of Health wanting to exercise its option to purchase the Fort Bayard Medical Center by paying off the Grant County bond early. Dayeny said the legislature had approved it. "There would be quite a bit of savings in redemption of the bond."

At the regular session, the commissioners approved the redemption of the bond and approving DOH to exercise its option to purchase the facility.

Also, on the regular session was a presentation by Santa Clara Mayor Richard Bauch and Clerk Sheila Hudman.

"We are requesting a letter of support from Grant County for Santa Clara to annex Fort Bayard to the village," Bauch said. "It would help us help Fort Bayard Medical Center with a water line and we could put in for grants, as well as provide security on the old Fort Bayard campus."

He said the village is a certified local government, so it can designate historic buildings, which can pass along tax credits. "Having the Fort Bayard campus within the village enhances what we can do."

Commissioner Gabriel Ramos asked how it would affect the Fort Bayard Volunteer Fire Department.

Webb said she believes the statute has changed to allow volunteer fire departments to be within city limits.

Commissioner Alicia Edwards asked about the land that was talked about by Jesse Franklin-Owens in a previous meeting—a piece that he and others wanted to remain a conservation area. Browne noted that it was federal land, not the state-owned land that Santa Clara is attempting to annex.

Hudman said at present Fort Bayard Medical Center is buying water from Santa Clara, but "we could help them get spring water from Fort Bayard. We can also help with water repairs."

To a question about insurance, Hudman said the village has had questions about whether it had enough insurance for work done at Fort Bayard. "We had questions as it related to the AmeriCorps youths. We had permission and they had insurance under the federal program they were part of. The Youth Conservation Corps kids are covered by our insurance. We have permission for them to work at Fort Bayard, but no state insurance."

Commissioners voted to approve the letter of support for Santa Clara to annex Fort Bayard Historic Landmark from the state.

Hudman said it was the first step toward annexation.

[Editor's Note: The rest of the two meetings will be combined into one article, which will include county and commissioner reports.]