Curry to consider wildfire measures

CLOVIS — With an ongoing drought in eastern New Mexico, the Curry County Commission will consider taking steps to cut down on wildfires at today's meeting.

The Fire Danger Emergency in Curry County declaration, if approved, would prohibit open flames in unincorporated areas of the county.

Other restrictions include using incinerators only when the wind is under 15 mph and only using grills if they are covered.

If approved, the restrictions would take effect right away and would need to be renewed by the commission every 45 days.

Anyone found in violation of the declaration would be subject to a fine not to exceed $300 and imprisonment for not more than 90 days, along with paying any costs incurred by the county.

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.:

• The commission will vote on a request to waive purchasing policy in order to pay Tom Costello $1,400 for repair work to the water storage tank at the Field Fire Station.

Curry County Fire and Safety Director David Kube said due to confusion Costello had completed the work before a purchase order had been drawn up.

• The commission will vote on mid-year adjustments to the fiscal year 2018 budget.

• The commission will provide direction on how the county should proceed with a request for proposal (RFP) for professional architectural services for the Curry County Courthouse.

• Included on the consent agenda, reserved for items not expected to create debate among the commission are a joint powers agreement (JPA) with the village of Grady and a request to accept a RFP from HB Construction, Inc. to provide additions and renovations to the Curry County Detention Center.

The JPA with Grady is a renewal of a previous agreement with the village where the county provides law enforcement services in Grady and in return receives $20,000 a year in Law Enforcement Protection Funds from the village.

If the commission approves the evaluation committee's recommendation to accept the RFP, contract negotiations would begin with construction anticipated to start in May, Curry County Manager Lance Pyle said.