Curry commissioner opts to attend meetings remotely

CLOVIS — For the foreseeable future, the dais of the Curry County Commission is going to have one member logging on instead of coming in person.

Commissioner Robert Sandoval addressed the matter during a special commission meeting Thursday morning, and said the commission meeting setup didn’t adequately meet guidelines for masking and social distancing.

The News covered the 40-minute meeting virtually.

Sandoval said he understood how people felt about their rights, but countered, “rights have consequences and rights have responsibilities,” and he didn’t think it was responsible of fellow commissioners to violate public health orders by not wearing masks.

“I do not feel comfortable,” Sandoval said. “I do not feel safe.”

Sandoval put forth a motion to move county meetings back onto the Zoom platform. The motion failed to garner a second, as commissioners said they understood Sandoval’s concerns but felt the virtual format wasn’t good constituent service.

“We’re going to need input,” Commissioner Seth Martin said. “We’re going to need to have this chamber open. If these doors are closed, they don’t have a chance to voice their concerns.”

Commissioner Chet Spear said he knows there’s an inherent risk in attending in-person events during a pandemic in his physical condition, but it’s a risk he chooses to take so his constituents know he’s present.

With the motion defeated, Sandoval said the he would participate via Zoom going forward, starting with the commission’s Tuesday morning meeting.

Chair Robert Thornton said he understood Sandoval’s concerns, and the commission would do everything it could to work with him while he attends virtually.

In other business at the Thursday meeting:

• The commission voted 5-0 to impose property tax rates for the 2021 year. County Assessor Candace London told commissioners the tax rates were set by the Department of Finance and Administration, and there were only slight budget fluctuations from the 2020 tax year.

• County Manager Lance Pyle told commissioners the DFA has accepted the county’s budget, and added the county has applied for $910,476.64 in American Recovery Act funds. About three-fourths of the request was comprised of revenue replacement.

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