Serving Clovis, Portales and the Surrounding Communities
Serving Clovis, Portales and the Surrounding Communities
Curry County Commissioners, from left, Fidel Madrid, Seth Martin, Brad Bender, Dusty Leatherwood and Robert Thornton gather around Curry County Manager Lance Pyle who was honored for 26 years of service to the county.
Curry County commissioners on Tuesday approved a 2.5% drop in the county property tax rate.
The tax rate is set by the state Department of Finance and Administration, then relayed to County Assessor Sam Kelley, who in turn brings the rate to the County Commission for implementation.
The owner of a $100,000 home will pay about $10 less annually under the new rate, Kelley said.
Commissioners said the only county entity that had acknowledged the notice of the new rate was Clovis Community College.
Commissioners were concerned that Kelley had not heard back from other entities, but Kelley said it was appropriate to approve the tax rate anyway.
Commissioner Brad Bender said the group should have a discussion about notifying entities with a phone call in addition to an email.
This year only email notifications went out, according to Kelley.
In other business:
n Commissioners presented County Manager Lance Pyle with a certificate recognizing his 26 years of working for Curry County.
n Commissioners approved receipt of grants totaling $558,000 from the New Mexico Department of Homeland Security for damages from the storm that hit Curry County on May 24, 2023.
The county had to put up matching funds of $144,000 in the deal.
n Curry County Adult Detention Center Superintendent Mark Gallegos gave his August report to commissioners, opening by saying the CCADC has been "very busy."
Gallegos reported four new hires and 11 position vacancies.
"Our average daily population (in August) was 180; that compares to 205 for July," Gallegos said.
Gallegos noted the center is holding eight out-of-state detainees awaiting extradition, including a fugitive from Miami, Fla.
Gallegos spoke favorably of the apparent beginnings of an apprentice program between CCADC and CCC.
He spoke of an internship program already in place between the detention center and Eastern New Mexico University.
Gallegos reported on his attendance at a meeting regarding area homelessness that included Clovis Mayor Mike Morris, Clovis Police Chief Roy Rice and others.
Gallegos reported in August detainees completed 121 online courses.
n Commissioners discussed future projects to improve parking lot lighting at the Curry County Fairgrounds
Commissioners voted unanimously to let the project out to bid.
