State to handle commercial fire inspections for Portales

Portales City Council on Tuesday approved a plan to have fire inspections for city and state buildings and commercial businesses not in homes done by the state Fire Marshal’s Office.

Portales Fire Chief T. J. Cathey said changes began to happen when “we lost our fire marshal in 2020.”

Personnel were sent to inspection training but due to an uptick in service calls the department had trouble meeting inspection obligations.

“We will still do fire inspections for businesses located in homes as state fire marshal personnel aren’t allowed to inspect private residences,” Cathey said Thursday.

In other business, council members were updated on the city water system’s status.

Council members learned the city water tank level averaged 27 feet daily during October.

Council members approved a loan/grant agreement with the New Mexico Finance Authority for $550,000 for the design of a water tank.

Council also approved a Local Economic Development Act action for a LEDA project for Enchantment Vineyards.

LEDA action requires participation by local governments to act as the fiscal agent when the funds are awarded.