Curry County tables 4-day work week

Curry County commissioners Monday voted to table a resolution moving a portion of county employees to a four-day work week.

If the measure had passed, the following is what would be enacted according to the commission agenda:

"Effective Monday, December 2, 2024, all Curry County administrative departments with

the exception of the Curry County Adult Detention Center and the Curry County Sheriff's office shall begin a four-day work week. The normal workday schedule thereafter shall be from 7 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., Monday through Thursday with a 30-minute lunch break on each day."

Commission Chair Robert Thornton brought the measure to the fore.

"We don't pay people very well. We have to figure out ways to retain our employees," Thornton said.

Commissioner Seth Martin said the county needs to "give people more money before we go to a four-day work week."

Martin moved to table the resolution pending a government salary study. Martin said the county will contract with S Resources Inc. for $16,000 to study salaries in other New Mexico counties "to compare our pay to theirs."

Thornton reiterated, "We have to find a way to keep our people."

Commissioner Dusty Leatherwood said he has heard more negative feedback from his constituents about the four-day work week for county employees than for the $14 million for the new Livestock Pavilion "or anything else."

Commissioner Brad Bender agreed with Leatherwood.

"I have to listen to what my constituents say. This matter will come back up. We need to appreciate our employees," Bender said.

Thornton pointed out this was the third time the matter has been brought up and tabled.

The vote to table the four-day work week resolution was 3-2. Thornton and Commissioner Fidel Madrid voted against tabling the measure.

Also Monday, commissioners spent a significant portion of the session talking with representatives from Oak View Group 360, the management company that handles operations at the Curry County Events Center and Fairgrounds as well as the Clovis Civic Center.

The discussion began with OVG360's Kevin Ortiz showcasing the changes that have begun to the Events Center's website.

"Hopefully we'll be ready to go live with the website by the end of the year," Ortiz said.

Events Center/Fairgrounds General Manager K. C. Messick said, "The purpose is to showcase each aspect of the Events Center, Fairgrounds and Indoor Pavilion."

Commissioners heard from OVG360's event center consultant Frank Abbott, who is general manager of the Heart of Oklahoma Exposition Center in Shawnee, Okla.

"I was thoroughly impressed," Abbott said of the Curry County Events Center.

Bender asked about negative feedback Abbott might receive at the Shawnee center.

"If I can please 85% of people I've done my job," Abbott said.

"You can't let small things deter the big picture," Abbott added.

"Do you operate at a loss?" Bender said.

Abbott said most civic centers operate at a loss.

"Mine is $750,000 to $756,000 annually," Abbott said.

Abbott said the Curry County Events Center is "an agricultural center, not a concert venue."

Martin said Abbott's appearance before the commission improved his view of OVG360.

Commissioners voted unanimously to follow OVG360's recommendation to raise user rates for the Events Center, Pavilion and Livestock Pavilion.

The base rate for using the Events Center will go to $1,500, $1,200 for the Livestock Pavilion and $1,000 for the Pavilion.

Events Center and Livestock Pavilion rates currently vary with the maximum daily rates at $1,500 and $1,000, respectively. The Pavilion had no usage fee prior to Monday's announced change.

OVG360 also recommended fees for things that were previously set at no charge such as tables, chairs and linens.

Commissioners also voted to send a letter of support for former Second District Representative Yvette Harrell for a White House Interior Department appointment.

Martin put the recommendation forward saying, "New Mexico should have representation in the Trump administration."