Curry officials to talk opioid impact

CLOVIS — The Curry County Commission will hold a public hearing at today’s meeting to discuss the impact of opioids in the area and whether or not the county should join the state’s litigation against opioid producers.

At the previous commission meeting, County Attorney Steve Doerr told commissioners the state’s Attorney General’s Office is recommending that each individual county hire its own attorney if it wants to join the litigation and that attorneys are taking the cases on a contingency basis.

Curry County Manager Lance Pyle said members of the public will be invited to speak and share their thoughts on how the nationwide opioid epidemic is affecting the county.

“The county has also invited community leaders who may have information on the opioid impacts in Curry County and invited them to come and share any information they have with the commission,” Pyle said.

Following the public hearing, the commission will decide whether or not the county will join the litigation.

Also on the agenda for today's meeting, scheduled for 9 a.m. in the commission chambers at the Curry County Administrative Complex, 417 Gidding St.:

• A member of the commission will be selected to join a Request for Information Committee on water banking.

The committee will also include two members of the Clovis city commission, one member from the Eastern New Mexico Water Utility Authority, one from EPCOR and Clovis City Manager Justin Howalt who will serve as a non-voting member.

The committee will recommend who will be awarded contracts for the sale or lease of water.

• The commission will vote on whether the county should proceed with issuing a Request for Proposal for the naming rights for the Curry County Events Center.

Pyle said the county has looked at sponsorships and naming rights for the events center for several years and will get some direction from the commission about how to proceed.

• The commission will vote on a contract to provide finishing work at the Broadview Fire Station including the installation of a 10-foot fiberglas reinforced plastic (FRP) panel at a cost of about $5,000, if approved.

• A proclamation will be issued declaring April 3 to be National Service Recognition Day.