Serving Clovis, Portales and the Surrounding Communities
Serving Clovis, Portales and the Surrounding Communities
The state of New Mexico has allocated $2.5 million for upgrades to state highway 60/84 between Prince and Norris streets.
The state of New Mexico has allocated $2.5 million for upgrades to state highway 60/84 between Prince and Norris streets.
Newly elected Clovis Mayor David Lansford said infrastructure improvements, particularly streets and roads in Clovis, will be a major focus for him.
In an effort to help the new mayor get started, we asked local residents to prioritize streets in need of repair.
A poll of 30 people revealed the worst roads are (in order):
Priorities
It turns out city officials are in tune with the residents when it comes to problem roads based on the top three projects on the city engineer's priority list:
Project details: Reconstruction, widening, sidewalks and drainage
Estimated cost: $3.75 million.
Project details: Reconstruction, widening, sidewalks and drainage.
Estimated cost: $5 million.
Project details: Reconstruction, widening, sidewalks and drainage.
Estimated cost: $5.5 million.
Go figure
According to Department of Public Works Director Clint Bunch, it can cost nearly $1 million per mile to improve a four-lane road like Seventh Street.
A matter of ownership
Bunch said Mabry Drive, which is U.S. 60/84, is the state's responsibility. The city has a maintenance contract with the state and is responsible for minor repairs "But it's so bad now even our patches aren't holding," Bunch said. The state has allocated $2.5 million dollars for highway upgrades between Prince Street and Norris Street, Bunch said.
City manager Joe Thomas said determining responsibility for street repairs can be a touchy subject. Some parts of Prince Street are the city's responsibility while others are considered part of the state highway system and eligible for funding from the state's Municipal Arterial Program.
Not enough money
City Commissioner Robert Sandoval said the main problem with city street improvements is money.
The .25 percent sales tax approved by voters in 2004 generates $1.7 million per year in city revenue, according to city budget officer Don Clifton. Clifton said the city depends on federal and state grants to cover 70 percent to 75 percent of the cost of some new streets.
"We can't do all the roads at once," Bunch said. "Maybe one per year with the money we have right now."
"We certainly don't want to raise taxes," Sandoval said. "But it's at the point where we're just throwing up our hands."
Sandoval noted that New Mexico Gov. Susana Martinez vetoed the allocation of $105,000 for Clovis road improvements this year.
Thomas agreed that state funding is becoming difficult to secure. "In the 90s it was not unusual to see $700,000 or $800,000 in allocations from the state Municipal Arterial Program," Thomas said. "Lately, the most I've seen is $300,000."
He's got a plan
District 1 Commissioner Randy Crowder has ideas for accomplishing Lansford's goal.
Crowder said he's convinced the city can find more than $2 million a year for street improvements simply by shifting existing revenue.
Crowder's target is the .25 percent tax approved by voters in 2004.
"It was presented to taxpayers as being for water, streets, police and fire protection."
Crowder said portions of the tax can be designated for street improvement, but it would take a resolution by the city commission to ensure a sustained program of street improvement.
"The key," said Crowder, "is to get that money dedicated. Once you've dedicated those funds to a certain specific purpose ... it's hard to undo it."
Crowder said 3/16 of the .25 percent tax now going to water improvements can be dedicated to street improvement. He said another 2/16 being used to pay off improvements at Potter Park will soon become available as will another 1/16 being used to pay off improvements at the landfill.
The next project
Bunch said the city has just finished crack sealing Brady Avenue between Hull and Norris streets and is now crack sealing Norris Street between Brady Avenue and Mabry Drive.
Bunch said the next major reconstruction project, scheduled for spring, is Llano Estacado Street between Prince and Norris streets. "It's number six on the list," Bunch said. "But we're doing it first because we have the funds for it."
