Jail bond issue staying off ballot

Curry County voters won't see a $9 million jail bond issue on the ballot for the second time this year.

County Commission Chairman Wendell Bostwick's push to place the once-defeated issue on the November ballot was tabled Tuesday after it became clear he couldn't muster majority support during a long and lively 4 1/2-hour commission session.

Also during Tuesday's meeting, Bostwick's request to boost the salary of elected officials by almost 14 percent got trimmed backed to a 3 percent raise, jail Administrator Gerry Billy lashed out at local media for coverage of a June 27 assault at the jail, and Commissioners Frank Blackburn and Caleb Chandler squared off over initial steps to close a portion of County Road R near Cannon Air Force Base.

Blackburn was the first to speak his opposition to another jail bond issue. During a presentation by the county's financial advisor and bond attorney early in the session, Blackburn said, "I'm ready to delay it. It's not getting a good response from the public at all."

Later, when the issue came up for a vote, Commissioners Robert Sandoval and Dan Stoddard expressed concerns.

"Right now," Sandoval said, "this commission doesn't have the trust of the public."

Stoddard said he was concerned about placing a measure defeated by voters in April on the ballot again in November. Stoddard said he believes most of the candidates running for two open commission seats this fall are opposed to the bond issue to build a new jail.

Stoddard said he didn't like the prospect of putting an issue on the ballot that commissioners were campaigning for, while candidates for two commission seats would be campaigning against it.

Stoddard also noted if the measure failed again, it couldn't be placed on a ballot for two years, thus tying the hands of a new commission in January.

Bostwick said his concern was losing a window of near record-low interest rates in the bond market.

Bostwick also said it was clear to him that most major issues at the jail are "brick and mortar" issues that can't be fixed by changing policies.

"It's immaterial when we do it...I just think the sooner the better," he said.

The issue was tabled on a motion by Chandler.

Stoddard also made it clear he wasn't going to support any raise for commissioners. The issue was pulled off the consent agenda and placed on the action agenda for debate and discussion at Stoddard's request.

"We've been giving our county employees 1 or 2 percent raises," Stoddard said, noting he couldn't defend such a large percentage increase for commissioners.

Chandler noted that any raise approved for commissioners or other elected officials wouldn't affect any sitting members, unless they are re-elected in November. By state law, any raises for elected officials only take effect after the office is up for election.

Sandoval's motion to grant 3 percent raises was approved on a 4-1 vote with Stoddard voting against.

Commissioners approved 3 percent raises for candidates elected to the clerk and treasurer offices this fall as well as a 2 percent cost of living increase for all county employees.

Raises of 3 percent were also approved for the offices of sheriff and assessor, but the current office holders won't be able to collect the larger amount because of the state law.

Billy's lengthy defense of jail staff included a reference to the Clovis News Journal's reporting on jail issues as "yellow journalism." He said the staff at the jail were some of the finest he's ever worked with in his 40 years in law enforcement.

"Frankly," Billy said "I don't care what the media says about me — I neither subscribe to nor read tabloids. I am not embarrassed to compare my four decades of service to the law enforcement and corrections profession, my academic achievements as well my recognition as a nationally recognized consultant and trainer."

Sandoval asked Billy why there were no specifics offered and when he was going to brief commissioners "on that beating at the jail."

Billy said he would brief Sandoval in private but not at a public meeting because a tort claim or warning of a possible civil lawsuit has been filed.

Chandler offered three motions setting up the beginning of a process to close a section of County Road R on the western border of Cannon AFB. All three were approved 4-1 with Blackburn voting against.

The motions declare the road not needed and picked three county landowners "to ... make a report ... to the Curry County Commission at their next regular meeting in August, setting forth their findings."

The Air Force has asked the county to close the road, citing security concerns at the base.