City authorizes loan agreement

The Clovis city commission on Thursday approved an ordinance authorizing execution and delivery of a $32.3 million fund loan agreement from the Water Trust Board.

The Drinking Water State Revolving loan fund agreement is by and between the New Mexico Finance Authority, Eastern New Mexico Water Utility Authority and joined by its city members.

The expenses plus interest, including administrative fees, will be used for the purpose of financing the costs of the construction of portions of the Eastern NM Rural Water System. Some of the projects include the construction of the raw water conveyance projects for sections one, two and three; the Texico lateral; the Caprock area storage facilities and booster pump stations.

As an ordinance or resolution members including Texico, Clovis and Portales have presented their portion of the loan to their own city commissions. City Manager Justin Howalt ensured the commission that the $32.3 million will be paid through annual membership the authority receives from each community and there will not be any additional funds to their agreement.

The city agreed to its portion of the loan agreement, with Commissioner Megan Palla abstaining from the decision.

Other agendas that were discussed at Thursday’s meeting:

• The commission unanimously proclaimed Nov. 6 -11 as “Veterans Week” and Nov. 6-12 as “Operation Green Light” to recognize the women and men who have fought for this country.

• The commission had also proclaimed Nov. 4 as “Walk to End Alzheimer’s Day” where residents were encouraged to wear purple for recognition of Alzheimer's and other forms of dementia. Nov. 5-11 was also proclaimed as “National Animal Shelter Appreciation Week.”

• Candice London was reappointed by the commission to serve as one of the citizen members on the planning and zoning commission.