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Category: Front Page News Front Page News
Published: 15 August 2018 15 August 2018

By Hallie Richwine

The City of Bayard Council Meeting on August 13, 2018 began at 2:00 p.m. after a work session that was approximately 30 minutes long. Councilors Zeke Santa Maria and Eloy Medina as well as Mayor Pro Tem Raul Villanueva and Mayor Chon Fierro attended.

During public input Santa Clara Mayor Richard Bauch spoke to council about the Regional Wastewater System. Santa Clara is included in the project and is slated to pay 29 percent of the cost. While Bayard is taking on most of the project at 41 percent, Santa Clara wants to have a meeting to discuss some concerns. Bauch said there has been an increase over the past three years of almost 4 percent per year and fears additional increases will be hard on the community. While Santa Clara has already passed an intent to adopt the user fee changes, he would like more time to discuss the impact to the communities.

At the top of the list of concerns Bauch worries about the verbiage regarding an automatic cost of living adjustment each year.

“If we stop this, would it have an effect on the residents?” Medina asked.

Clerk Kristina Ortiz said any delays will divide the budgeted debt over 10 months rather than 11.

Also, during public input Mayor Ed Stevens of Hurley also spoke about the Regional Wastewater System. Stevens would like to see more communication between the municipalities. Increased involvement would help the outlying communities understand major capital improvements so they have informed input.

Next on the agenda was the miscellaneous item regarding the Cobre High School Homecoming parade. Council approved the application for the event which will take place October 5, 2018 at 2 p.m. With council approval now they are able to apply for a Department of Transportation permit.

In ordinances, council moved to postpone the adoption of Ordinance 4-2018, the Regional Wastewater System User Charge, with the intent to pass the ordinance at the next meeting. During this time the concerns of Santa Clara and Hurley will be addressed.

 Council did pass the ordinance to increase the Municipal Gross Receipts tax by .25%. No increase has been made after a misunderstanding where the city thought they had capped out at the maximum for gross receipts.

Resolution 21-2018 was also passed, renewing Bayard’s involvement in the Southwest New Mexico Council of Governments.

The next meeting for the City of Bayard will take place Monday, August 27, 2018 at 2 p.m. following a work session that is approximately one hour. The public is invited to attend.