EPCOG off hook for improperly spent money

Members of the Eastern Plains Council of Governments learned Monday morning they would not be on the hook for $200,000 improperly spent on a lease, purchase and remodel of the Clovis Workforce Connections Center.

Executive Director Sandy Chancey informed members of the development during the council's board of directors meeting — also held at the Workforce Connections Building.

In 2007 and 2008, Chancey said, the Eastern Area Workforce Development Board, acting as part of EPCOG, was seeking out a building for its various services and worked out an agreement for the current building at 111 Main, then a pawn shop.

Of the money encumbered, $200,000 for the lease/purchase/remodel came from Workforce in Action (WIA) funding — which cannot legally be used for leases or purchases.

Despite the error in funding, the agreement got local and state approval, Chancey said. But the mistake was caught last year at the federal level.

"It was a whole lot cheaper than any other place in Clovis," Chancey said. "The powers that be failed to check the requirements of the program. Why it wasn't checked until last summer wasn't known to me."

Chancey said the state will step in and purchase the building for $200,000, alleviating fears from EPCOG members local entities would be responsible for the money.

The building will continue to operate in its current functions, Chancey said.

In other business at the meeting:

• Economic and Community Development Planner Ray Mondragon and Clovis city commission representative Fidel Madrid reported from their trip to New Mexico First's town hall, held March 22-23 in Albuquerque.

Madrid said he was surprised there wasn't much discussion on water. He said while many wars are currently being fought over oil, he sees a day in the future where countries will go to war for water.

• Members were given a copy of an updated EPCOG personnel policy. Chancey asked members to read the policy and come back with concerns and suggestions at the next meeting. Mondragon said there were significant changes to the policy, which hadn't been altered since 2002.
• Members approved travel funds for Chancey to attend an executive conference May 16-18 in Oklahoma City and a forum June 8-9 in Park City, Utah.