Area leadership grateful for their share of capital outlay money

Melrose Mayor Tuck Monk said his village has a water system that was installed in the 1920s that desperately needs repairs, so he was pleased that the Senate approved funding for it.

The consensus of area leadership's response to the state Senate's capital outlay bill is that they're grateful for what they can get from the $222 million approved Sunday for projects even though money was spread thin.

As the bill moves to the House, 11 of 29 projects requested by Roosevelt County and its municipal governments were approved for a total of $5.4 million.

A little more than half of the 20 projects requested by Curry County and its municipal governments were approved for a total of $1.4 million.

Rep. Dennis Roch, R-Texico, who represents parts of Curry and Roosevelt counties said the water system by the Clovis Municipal Airport was a top priority to fix.

File photo

Eastern New Mexico University's Jack Williamson Liberal Arts Building will be awarded $4 million for renovations if the state Senate's capital outlay bill passes the House and is signed by Gov. Susana Martinez. The project was one of 11 projects in Roosevelt County approved by the Senate.

"Their water system was so much older, we needed to get them upgraded so they can be competent," Roch said. "That was important."

Roch said his partnership with other area representatives helped stretch funds for projects.

"We also put in some dollars on some of the (Curry) county roads," Roch added. "That's the kind of cooperation you'll see from our area reps. We do the best we can to make sure the needs are met across our rural region."

Monk said Monday he was excited to hear that the waterline project received funding but said the $100,000 they would be allotted is just a start.

"They're in real bad shape," Monk said. "There will be at least three phases. As bad at this water system is, every dollar helps."

Curry County Manager Lance Pyle said he was also grateful that the county roads are slated to receive funding.

"The first one is to improve roads around the new middle school in Clovis and it's actually to chip seal those roads around the middle school," Pyle said. "The other one will go to roads identified on the road maintenance plans."

Pyle said the county roads improvements were one of the county's top five priorities.

"The county is very appreciative for the funding going towards these road projects," Pyle said. "Once the governor signs the (capital outlay) bill, as soon as we receive a contract, work will begin on these projects hopefully by this summer."

Rep. Bob Wooley, R-Roswell, who's district encompasses Roosevelt County, says he and other area legislators make it a point to meet and combine their money to fund projects as best they can.

"I'm very pleased with the projects we got for Portales," Wooley said. "We try to be as fair as we can and fund the highest one on the list (of a city's priorities) that we can."

Wooley added that projects have to be bonded for 10 years so some projects took priority over others, such as funding a water system instead of playground improvements.

Wooley also named Roosevelt General Hospital improvements as well as additional funds to Eastern New Mexico University's liberal arts building a priority but said some of the smaller towns had dire needs.

"Elida and Floyd needed a new trash truck. They didn't have a trash truck at all," Wooley said. "(Money) is spread about there (Roosevelt County)."

Howell said one of five of Portales' top priorities, waterline improvements around avenues D, K and University, was awarded $151,000.

"Realistically speaking we asked for a whole lot more than they had to give," Howell said. "We really appreciate what they do for us. We'll design the projects around the money we have."

Curry County projects approved:

• Alice Converse complex in Clovis — $16,300
• Baxter-Curren Senior Center— $55,000
• Clovis Business Enterprise Center — $100,000
• Clovis Food Bank roof — $50,000
• Clovis Municipal Airport water system improvements — $300,000
• Clovis Potter Park Martin Luther King Memorial fencing — $40,000
• Curry County Road L between County Roads 13 and 14 improvements — $350,000
• Curry County roads improvements — $182,500
• Melrose PSD vocational equipment — $15,000
• Melrose Senior Center, meals equipment — $11,700
• Melrose water system improvements — $100,000
• Wilhite Road widening plan and design $250,000

Total: $1,470,500

Roosevelt County projects approved:

• Dora CSD multipurpose building plumbing improvements — $75,000
• Eastern New Mexico Water Utility Authority pump station — $172,000
• Elida trash truck container and equipment — $164,000
• Eastern New Mexico University Jack WIlliamson Liberal Arts Building — $4 million
• Eastern New Mexico University KENW-TV equipment — $337,000
• Floyd High School bleachers, seats, officials station — $100,000
• Portales Senior Center CSC meals equipment - $22,400
• Portales water distribution system — $151,000
• Roosevelt County Events Arena cooling system — $125,000
• Roosevelt General Hospital gas pipelines — $220,000
• Roosevelt Road A North reconstruction — $77,000

Total: $5,443,400