[Editor's Note: This is part 3 of the Grant County Commission combined work session and regular meeting on April 8, 2021. This article will complete the agenda items, their discussions and outcomes.]

By Mary Alice Murphy

This portion of the agenda began, after the approval of various meeting minutes, with the financial report of March 5-April 1, 2021. Financial Officer Linda Vasquez presented the report. Total expenditures for the month were $2,049,851.09, including two payrolls of $427,339.01

Below is the PDF of expenses above $10,000.

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Eight additional COVID-19 deaths

SANTA FE – New Mexico state health officials on Wednesday announced 222 additional COVID-19 cases. Per the state Department of Health, the most recent cases are:

75 new cases in Bernalillo County
3 new cases in Chaves County
3 new cases in Cibola County
2 new cases in Colfax County
1 new case in Curry County
20 new cases in Doña Ana County
5 new cases in Eddy County
4 new cases in Grant County
1 new case in Lea County
3 new cases in Lincoln County
2 new cases in Los Alamos County
4 new cases in McKinley County
2 new cases in Otero County
7 new cases in Rio Arriba County
2 new cases in Roosevelt County
17 new cases in Sandoval County
25 new cases in San Juan County
14 new cases in Santa Fe County
2 new cases in Sierra County
21 new cases in Socorro County
5 new cases in Taos County
1 new case in Torrance County
2 new cases in Valencia County
1 new case among New Mexico Corrections Department inmates at the Penitentiary of New Mexico in Santa Fe County

The Department of Health on Wednesday reported eight additional deaths in New Mexico related to COVID-19:

By Roger Lanse

At its April 13, 2021 meeting, the Silver City Town Council approved the 2020 town audit prepared by Stone McGee & Co. Mike Stone complemented those town finance department employees who suffered under the 'harassment' of the auditors and came up with a "really good audit." Stone said the audit prepared by the town earned the finest opinions an audit can receive. "Everything was just great," Stone said.

Mayor and councilors lauded Town Clerk Ann Mackie, who is retiring, for her years of service.

District 2 Councilor Lynda Aiman-Smith cautioned residents about the severe drought and fire danger which lie ahead. She said nmfireinfo.com can be accessed for fire information.

Dry Fire
The Dry Fire is approximately 20 acres, burning on National Forest system lands, Catron County, NM on the Gila National Forest. This fire is close to Dry Blue Creek.

Freeman Fire
The Freeman Fire is approximately 15 acres, burning on National Forest system lands, Catron County, NM on the Gila National Forest. This fire is about one (1) mile southwest of Freeman Mountain.

Resources are on scene for both incidents.

CRITICAL FIRE CONDITIONS EXPECTED TODAY AND TOMORROW... .Southwesterly winds will increase across southern New Mexico the next two afternoons as surface low pressure develops over the state. Gusty winds combined with relative humidities of 6 to 12 percent will create critical fire conditions in southwestern New Mexico this afternoon, and all of southern New Mexico Thursday afternoon.

NEW MEXICO FIRE WEATHER ZONE 110
SOUTHWEST MOUNTAINS/GILA NF/APACHE NF/GLZ-
NEW MEXICO FIRE WEATHER ZONE 111
SOUTHWEST DESERTS AND LOWLANDS/LAS CRUCES BLM/GLZ-
631 AM MDT Wed Apr 14 2021

...RED FLAG WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 2 PM THIS AFTERNOON TO 8 PM
MDT THIS EVENING FOR VERY DRY AND WINDY CONDITIONS FOR FIRE
WEATHER ZONES 110 AND 111...
...FIRE WEATHER WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM THURSDAY AFTERNOON
THROUGH THURSDAY EVENING FOR VERY DRY AND WINDY CONDITIONS FOR
FIRE WEATHER ZONES 110 AND 111...

The National Weather Service in El Paso Tx/Santa Teresa has
issued a Red Flag Warning, which is in effect from 2 PM this
afternoon to 8 PM MDT this evening.

[Editor's Note: This is part 2 of probably a three-part series of article on the combined work session and regular meeting of the Grant County Commission on April 8, 2021.]

By Mary Alice Murphy

After the presentations and proclamations at the beginning of the meeting, Grant County commissioners heard county and elected officials' reports at their combined work session and regular meeting on April 8, 2021.

Joe Grijalva, road department supervisor, gave his report. "We are patching and preparing for June chip sealing. We expect two new laborers on board in about two weeks."

District 1 Commissioner and Chairman Chris Ponce said he had a citizen come up to him to tell him "that you are doing a good job and responding to calls quickly." Grijalva thanked him.