County to get infusion of state cash for law enforcement

Curry County commissioners learned Tuesday of $281,250 in law enforcement retention and recruitment funds coming to the county treasury.

Clovis City commissioners learned such funds were on the way to the city from the same program. Commissioners learned from City Manager Justin Howalt and City Attorney Jared Morris a plan on how to use the money that was being put into place involving bonuses set to be distributed to city officers who have been with the Clovis Police Department for a number of years.

Curry County Manager Lance Pyle told commissioners at Tuesday’s regular session he would be working with others in the county administration to come up with a plan for the monies in the law enforcement retention and recruitment area to present to commissioners at their next regular meeting.

The funds, which come in installments, must be spent by certain deadlines within a three-year period.

In other business at Tuesday’s session, commissioners approved a recommendation to send a resolution to the New Mexico Legislature supporting House Bill 344 and Senate Bill 124. Both bills deal with reducing the time recent law enforcement retirees can return to work in law enforcement.

Pyle spoke of the need for change in such regulations citing a 33% job vacancy rate at the Curry County Adult Detention Center, and an 18% job vacancy rate in the Curry County Sheriff’s Department.

Constance Williams, Licensed Master Social Worker and Field Representative for Ben Ray Lujan, U.S. Senator for New Mexico, gave a 20-minute presentation on “constituent services “offered to the public through the Senator’s office.

Curry County Adult Detention Center Administrator Mark Gallegos asked commissioners to rescind a “booking fee” those brought to the CCADC must pay. The fee was imposed by the county commission in 2014.

“It’s a bookkeeping headache,” Gallegos said.

“The way to avoid a booking fee is to not get booked,” Commissioner Bradley Bender said.

Commissioners voted 4 to 1 to do away with the fee. Commissioner Seth Martin voted “no” on the measure.

Anniversary awards were passed out to county employees at Tuesday’s meeting.

From the CCADC, Detention Lieutenant Jamie Wornell was acknowledged for 10 years on the job. Kaitlyn Kock, another Detention Lieutenant, was acknowledged for 1 year of service along with Detention Officer Sinnette Wafer.

From the county’s Maintenance Department, Custodian Dawn McCall was given acknowledgement of her one year of service to the county.

Kelly Brown, Road Equipment Operator with the County Road Department was awarded for one year of service.

Four people were awarded for service in the Curry County Sheriff’s Department.

Deputies Robert Baca, Kevin O’Quinn and Norma Ortiz were acknowledged for their one year of service.

Robert Quay’s 10 years of service with the sheriff’s department as a process server was also awarded.