Clovis mayor weighs in on state of city

Clovis Mayor Mike Morris believes the city has much to be optimistic about, despite some lingering issues.

In his State of the City address Thursday, Morris credited Clovis MainStreet with adding new business and occupation of formerly vacant buildings downtown.

The city is also on its way to increasing building permits from 126 in 2021. With the year less than half over, he said, the city already has recorded 90 building permits.

He also said new restaurants have come to town and new leads and contacts in economic base industries are developing through the Clovis Curry County Economic Development Corporation.

Morris, who chairs the Eastern New Mexico Water Utility Authority, also expressed optimism about future water supplies as funding for the Ute Lake Project has grown in recent months, including $177 million from a Congressional infrastructure bill, $30 million from state legislature sources, and more from other state sources.

In addition, he said, reclaimed water is being used to water parks and the city's golf course, conserving fesh water supplies.

As the Ogallala Aquifer, the region's current source for drinking water, becomes depleted, he said, Ute Lake should prove to be a "renewable resource."

With legalized recreational cannabis, he said, "I'm going to be very careful in predicting that." He noted, however that about a third of the taxes from cannabis industry will go to local governments.

"Despite less than ideal circumstances," mostly due to the COVID-19 pandemic, he said, "We have accomplished remarkable things."

The city is in a "stronger position than we were two years ago."

While he was optimistic about the city's future, he said he recognizes problems in the city.

"I hit the potholes, too," Morris said of city streets.

He also said he sees budgetary problems and increasing crime in the city.

He noted progress in dealing with the issues, however.

Seventh Street will soon be resurfaced from Maple Street to Main Street, he said. With New Mexico Department of Transportation funding, and capital outlay funding resurfacing will be coming to Norris Street from Putnam Drive to Llano Estacado Boulevard.

The city is seeking funds tor projects on Llano Estacado from Norris to Humphrey Road, 21st Street from Norris to Prince Street, and on Marvin Haas Boulevard., Morris said.

Currently, he said, gross receipts taxes cover less than half of the city's revenues, with the remainder coming from capital outlay funds, grants and other state sources.

City staff members actively pursue grants and other state and federal revenue, he said.

The city's tax base has recently been enhanced by opportunities to claim gross receipts taxes from online purchases.

New sources of tax revenue from economic development would enhance public safety, which Morris said is "heavily dependent" on gross receipts taxes. Economic development would also enhance jobs and quality of life in the city, he said.

The Clovis Police Department is making progress on correcting a manpower shortage. The department needs to fill 13 positions, Morris said, which is less than the personnel deficit left at the end of 2021.

The Clovis Fire Department, he said, is short only one position.

Morris also noted progress on policy matters.

The city is working on a new sign ordinance with public and business input, he said.

A recent ordinance, he said, makes it easier for the city to declare dilapidated buildings unsafe and order demolition.

"It's a safety and beautification issue," he said.

The city is also working on allowing outdoor dining on sidewalks, which he hopes will be finalized before summer.

Morris took several opportunities to praise the work of city staff and noted the city commission would be discussing a pay and benefit study on Thursday.

He credited the "people of Clovis, Cannon Air Force Base and the High Plains" for contributing to success I the city.

They "have a record for growing under pressure," he said.