Portales officials bid farewell to two of their own

PORTALES — The city of Portales bid an emotional farewell to two outgoing officials at Tuesday’s city council meeting, including late Mayor Sharon King.

Plaques were presented to councilor Antonio Salguero and King, whose plaque was hung on the wall in the council chambers.

“When staff ordered the plaques, we really had no idea that we’d never get the opportunity to present hers to her. For most of us, we never even imagined that our last conversation with her would truly be our last,” City Manager Sammy Standefer said of King, who died March 1 after a five-year fight against cancer.

Though the city could never agree on where to put the numerous plaques staff has collected over the years, Standefer said King suggested a “wall of honor” to display them in the Memorial Building.

“That would be what we’ll plan on doing, but for tonight, we ask that we be able to place this plaque in the council chambers in honor of our mayor,” he said.

After receiving a plaque recognizing his nine years on the council, Salguero thanked city staff and his fellow council members.

“I’m leaving this place with a little more knowledge than I brought in,” he said.

Dianne Parker, a 22-year veteran of the council who ran unopposed in the 2018 municipal election, was also awarded a plaque for her service.

Also at Tuesday’s meeting:

• The city’s auditor reported one finding on its 2016-2017 fiscal year audit.

While the city received the best opinion possible on its financial statement report and single audit report, Dahlia Garcia, senior accountant with audit firm Beasley, Mitchell and Company, said one weakness was identified on the city’s internal control report.

“The city received $28 million to be spent on a project, and it was all federal funds. Those funds were tested extensively, and the expenditures were properly expended. The issue here was $5 million of those $28 million were classified in the wrong line item,” she said.

• Councilors approved a resolution of $1 million from the New Mexico Finance Authority to pay for the construction of the city’s fire substation.