Water authority to consider contract

CLOVIS — The Eastern New Mexico Water Utility Authority will consider renewal of its contract with the Ute Reservoir when it meets Thursday afternoon.

The 3 p.m. meeting at the Sitterly Professional Center is virtual due to public health orders on mass gatherings. The meeting can be joined by conference call at 716-293-9726, followed by 605-472-5736 and access code 716009.

Chair David Lansford has said throughout negotiations he hoped to secure a 10-year agreement with rates of $1 per acre foot of reserved water kept in place.

Other items on the Thursday agenda include:

• Acknowledgment of state legislation adjusting board membership to six — three from Clovis, two from Portales and one alternating between Texico and Elida.

• Appointment of the board secretary and committee members.

• An update on the next phase of construction from Jacobs Engineering and authority Administrator Orlando Ortega.

• Reports on project development, state activities and federal activities.