Meetings watch — Feb. 13

The following took place at the Eastern Plains Council of Governments meeting on Wednesday:

• The council approved three budget adjustments. The first adjustment added $35,721 to the base budget. This money comes from a contract with the city of Santa Rosa, and the money came in August after the budget was already set, so an adjustment was needed.

The second adjustment took $2,500 from the base budget and added it to the Ute Water Commission. The $2,500 had been Ute Water Commission funds, but were taken out for other expenses. The council was putting those funds back.

The third adjustment added $27,291 to the transportation budget. These funds come from a grant by the N.M. Department of Transportation, which is awarded for transportation planning services. The funds were not received until October, so an adjustment was needed.

• The council unanimously approved to increase the membership dues of the members of EPCOG. Curry County’s membership dues rose from $7,317 to $8,415. The city of Clovis’ membership dues rose from $7,502 to $9,152. The amount of the fee increase is equal to the percentage of growth for that area in between the 2000 and 2010 censuses. All areas in EPCOG which did not see a rise in population was given an automatic 2 percent increase. The city of Clovis’ population rose 22 percent between the 2000 census and the 2010 census while Curry County rose 15 percent.

• The election of new officers was tabled until a future meeting because of the current undetermined political positions of certain members of the council. After the March elections are finished, this matter will be readdressed.

• The council approved the Title VI Nondiscrimination Statement of Policy for both the Southeast and Northeast Regional Transportation Planning Organization.

• The council announced that its next annual meeting will take place at 10 a.m. on June 10th at the Yam Theater in Portales.

— Compiled by CNJ staff writer Eric Norwood Jr.