Clovis approves ordinance recognizing water agreement

The Clovis city commission on Thursday approved an ordinance that recognizes Eastern New Mexico Water Utility Authority receiving a $13.9 million water project fund loan/grant agreement from New Mexico’s Water Trust Board.

Clovis Mayor Mike Morris presented the grant/loan. He said ENMWUA recently received the award. The ordinance is for the city to recognize its part in assisting with the loan portion.

“There’s no new revenue stream needed and we are simply acknowledging this is happening and acknowledging our responsibilities with this,” Morris said

The agreement is split between a $1.4 million loan, which the ENMWUA will begin paying through annual membership dues it receives from the municipalities of Clovis, Elida, Portales and Texico. The other portion is a $12.5 million grant, Morris said will be used to finance the design completion, easement acquisition and construction of the three-phase water project.

“The Ute pipeline is being constructed for approximately 10% of the cost because we have 75% funding coming from the federal government and 15% funding from the state of New Mexico and the primary way the state of New Mexico is funding this project is through the Water Trust Board,” Morris said.

Morris said ENMWUA had applied for this agreement a year ago and will be making the rounds to the other member cities to notify them. This agreement is 10% loan; the other 90% is a grant.

Also Thursday, commissioners proclaimed Oct. 24 as “World Polio Day” in the city of Clovis. President of the rotary club Eric Collings said at the meeting that Clovis is the first town in New Mexico to pass such an ordinance and recognize the severity of the disease.