Officials question property tax hikes

Tuesday’s regular session of the Curry County Commission was dominated by a discussion between commissioners and Curry County Assessor Sam Kelley over the continued raising of property taxes in the county.

The back-and-forth was spurred by a scheduled presentation by Kelley.

“The State Tax and Revenue Department has a statistical analysis on each county. I was reporting on what percentage Curry County was at, where Curry County ranked in percentage of market value taxed,” Kelley explained after the meeting.

Once a property is sold, the assessor’s office looks at “what we had it valued at before the sale,” Kelley said.

“That gives us a percentage of what the house was at compared to market value,” Kelley said.

Curry County is No. 4 statewide in terms of average taxable percentage of market value, 77.57%.

Only Harding, Hidalgo and Catron counties have higher percentages of taxable market value.

“There’s not a county in the state that has met the 85% threshold,” Kelley said.

Kelley said once the average has reached 85% of market value, the raising of taxes stops.

“Every year we raise the value of property 3%. That’s the annual limit we are allowed to raise it here in New Mexico,” Kelley said.

In his discussion with commissioners, Kelley maintained the state requires the taxable value to be raised.

“I understand the public’s frustration because we raise it 3% every year but the state says until we reach 85% of market value, we have to raise it 3%,” Kelley said after the meeting.

Commissioner Brad Bender was struck by the number of large counties, including Bernalillo and Santa Fe, whose market value average is over 20% less than Curry County.

“People are having trouble just buying groceries,” Commission Chair Robert Thornton said regarding the continual raising of taxes.

Kelley told commissioners his office is always looking for ways to help taxpayers.

In other business at Tuesday’s session:

• Commissioners spoke of touring the county’s new Livestock Pavilion at the county fairgrounds.

Bender said he has received “much positive feedback” about the facility as did Commissioner Fidel Madrid.

Commissioner Dusty Leatherwood described the Livestock Pavilion as a “phenomenal facility.”

“Overall, the building was done really well,” Thornton said.

• County Manager Lance Pyle introduced commissioners to new county employee Christopher Baca who will be directing substance abuse programs.

• Commissioners heard from Curry County Adult Detention Center Administrator Mark Gallegos with his July report.

Gallegos reported there are four new hires at the center and staff is down 18 positions.

Gallegos put the average daily population at the center at 222 inmates.

Gallegos also reported in July inmates completed 1,248 online courses.

• Commissioners took their annual tour of the detention facility after Tuesday’s commission meeting.

The annual tour is required by state statute giving the opportunity for making recommendations, Gallegos said after the meeting.

After the tour, Leatherwood said he liked what he saw.

“I was very impressed, the way it’s been upgraded. I could not find fault. I was impressed,” Leatherwood said after the tour.

“We’re lucky to have the personnel and directors we have on staff. They make it easier on the county,” Commissioner Seth Martin said after the tour.

Martin added that even though the detention center population is up, “morale is still high.”

• News of the apparent coming of another Dollar General store in the area was revealed when commissioners approved two entrances for the store location on CR 14 between CR K and SR 209 (North Prince St.).