Q&A: Curry County manager updates on program cuts, issues

Editor's note: Curry County Manager Lance Pyle discussed several topics as part of a periodic series checking up on issues related to the county.

At what stage is the Curry County Detention Center expansion?

We're currently in the design/development phase of the project. The goal is to have that phase completed in probably the end of May, first part of June. The next phase would be the development of the construction documents, to proceed with the project going to bid. We anticipate the project going to bid in the fall of 2017.

The construction on the project is anticipated to take at least 18 months from when the contract is awarded.

The project will have to be done in phases, so that we can keep the inmates housed in county.

How has the county's DWI program fared after the nearly $100,000 funding cut in November?

We re-assessed the program and the services that we were providing. We were able to continue providing enforcement and prevention services and compliance, and we were able to keep all existing staff employed in addressing those cuts.

We had a vacant position of teen court coordinator, and we chose not to fill that position to assist us with providing the services and getting through this fiscal year. We usually do a lot of advertising and awareness, and we eliminated those items to be able to do the prevention and the enforcement.

Are there any specific state cuts officials are concerned will negatively impact the county?

We are watching the legislative session very closely and working and communicating with our legislators. The county has been very concerned with the talk of having to fund an additional 1/16th percent to Medicaid. Currently, the county already funds 1/16th of Medicaid at over $600,000 a year.

We are also watching any elimination or further phase-out of the hold harmless distribution from the state.

We're very appreciative of our area legislators. They're communicating, keeping us apprised on items, and it's been a great work relationship. They're aware of what the impact would have on Curry County.

What would you say are the most important issues at hand for Curry County in 2017?

Completing the design/development and starting the construction on the renovation and addition to the Curry County Adult Detention Center. That is the county's number one priority, and something that we have been working on for several years to address the needs of the facility.

The county detention personnel is working hard to become the next detention facility to be accredited by the New Mexico Association of Counties.

Some of the other items that we have on the plans to work on is to renovate the historic courthouse and continue making improvements to the county roads.

It's kind of a year of construction for Curry County. We have the jail project, we're going to get on to the courthouse renovation, we're going to complete the Broadview fire station.

- Compiled by Staff Writer Eamon Scarbrough