Clovis commission to consider water efficiency tech

CLOVIS — A proposed project intended to improve water use efficiency at local dairies is scheduled to come for consideration by the city commission Thursday night at its regular meeting.

The Clovis Industrial Development Corporation and the City of Clovis Water Task Force seek to partner with Envirotech Systems Inc. of Lawton, Iowa on a 5-month pilot project of new technology that hopes to reduce the groundwater needs of a local dairy by up to 50 percent, according to documents in the commission agenda packet.

The Economic Incentive Board (EIB) is scheduled to ask the commission for $10,000 from the Economic Development Tax Fund (EDTF) to help fund the study.

Pending the results of that study, the technology might then be considered for implementation at more dairies across the county, said CIDC Executive Director Chase Gentry.

“Some local dairy operators are deeply concerned our declining water table could make their operations unsustainable,” says a letter in the agenda item packet. “The huge reduction in water mining promised by Envirotech multiplied by the number of dairies in Curry and Roosevelt would seem to make this a most worthwhile test project and a bargain at the relatively low cost.”

Other items of interest scheduled for Thursday’s commission meeting, 5:15 p.m. at the Clovis-Carver Library North Annex:

• Request for approval of an EIB recommendation to spend $27,000 from the EDTF for roof maintenance and repairs at the city’s business enterprise center. Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Ernie Kos said those funds are leftover from an allocation EIB made some years ago and are requested again now for additional repairs.

• Request for approval to reappoint Peter Penney, Twila Rutter and Shelley Winn to the Clovis-Carver Library Board.

• Request for approval of a memorial boxing tournament Aug. 26 at Roy Walker Recreation Center.

• Report on meetings attended June 27-29 in Washington, D.C. by Mayor David Lansford, Interim City Manager Tom Phelps and Commissioners Helen Casaus and Sandra Taylor-Sawyer.

• Quarterly report on Clovis MainStreet by Natalie Daggett.