Agreement to build new magistrate court approved

CLOVIS — The Curry County Magistrate Court is where most people are introduced to the judicial system, and if things break right they’ll never move on to district court.

A few years down the road, though, those two courthouses could be neighbors. The Curry County Commission on Tuesday unanimously approved an agreement with the state’s Administrative Office of the Courts to construct a new magistrate court in the county judicial complex that now includes the district court, sheriff’s office and county detention center.

“We are of the opinion, and we hope you are too, that a new magistrate court is essential,” said Karl Brooks, AOC deputy director.

The AOC leases the current magistrate court building at 221 Pile St., but Brooks said the facility was not built with the intent to be a court and has safety and space issues. A new facility between 15,000 and 18,000 square feet, specifically built to function as a magistrate court, would better suit the state and county, Brooks said.

The AOC has already set aside money for architect work, but would need the county to finance the construction because, “we’re not in the property construction and landlord business,” Brooks said. No cost was given, but the agreement stipulates the AOC would pay a lease to the county in an amount that covers its debt service.

Commissioners were generally in support of the proposal, but Commission Chairman Chet Spear said parking would be a concern in an area that’s already sometimes overwhelmed by courthouse and library activities.

Brooks agreed, and said that would be discussed throughout the process. He added that a goal would be separate parking for judges and court employees with safety in mind.

Spear also advised Brooks that a new court should be able to handle a third judge, should the Legislature grant one in the future. Brooks said it’s impossible to tell what legislators will do with magistrate judge assignments, but that he recognizes a third judge is possible down the road.

Commissioner Bobby Sandoval asked about a timeline for the project. Brooks said he was hoping for a two-year period.

The AOC has similar partnerships with five counties — Roosevelt, Chaves, Colfax, Mora and McKinley — and the communities of Ruidoso, Lovington, Anthony and Belen.

In other business before the commission Tuesday morning:

• Commissioners approved separating concerts as part of the entry costs for the Curry County fair, and making tickets to each concert $12.

The fair is scheduled for Aug. 13-17. Costs for the fair are $7-$3-$6 for daily entry (adults-children-seniors), $18-$8-$15 for a week-long pass, $10 for vendor passes and $8 for livestock exhibitor passes.

Commissioner Robert Thornton advised event center staff to have an entrance separate from the fair so anybody only interested in the concert wouldn’t have to pay for a fair pass they wouldn’t use. Commissioner Seth Martin asked if a combination concert-fair ticket could be created with a slightly lower cost to incentivize its purchase. Erin Stevens of the events center said she could add on another tier, but had concerns too many pass classifications would cause confusion.

Spear asked what level of recognition a performer the events center could book for a concert with a $12 price point, noting his wife usually pays around $75 to go to a concert. Stevens noted the county had asked for a scenario where $20 would cover a fair pass and concert ticket.

Events Center Manager Jeff Blake said while a low price point does limit who the center can book, “the idea is the concert is better if we fill the venue.”

• The commission approved creation of a committee to plan a 10-year anniversary event for the county events center for Sept. 7, and added Spear, Thornton and County Clerk Annie Hogland to the committee.

Future committee appointments will come from events center staff, the fair board and the community at large. Pyle said he would put out a news release to make people aware of the event and the committee spots.

The county has set aside $50,000 to help Spectra defray event costs, but is expecting the committee will procure sponsors and Clovis city lodgers tax dollars as well.

“We want to make it really big for the community, entertaining and fun,” Spear said.

• Commissioners approved a $575,000 capital appropriation project to plan, design and construct a parking lot at the 800 block of Main Street and demolish the current structures there.

• A $400,000 capital appropriation project was approved for a building for the Ranchvale Fire Department.

• A $165,000 capital appropriation project was approved for parking lot improvements at the county fairgrounds.

• The commission approved a raise of $1.14 per hour for custodial staff, effective June 1, to stay in line with state-mandated minimum wage increases.

• Commissioners approved nearly $375,000 in budget adjustments due to receiving more revenue than anticipated in various areas — $32,710 in miscellaneous capital projects; $41,201 in gasoline taxes, county property sales and right of way fees from the Grady wind energy farm; and $300,323 from investment interest, an exchange agreement with Melrose and miscellaneous fees.

• The next meeting is scheduled for 9 a.m. June 4 at the Curry County Administrative Complex.