State auditor: Money available to counties

The office of the State Auditor in Santa Fe is spreading the word federal money is available to some New Mexico counties.

The money came to the state in the wake of the COVID-19 outbreak of 2020 as “state and local fiscal recovery funds,” according to a news release from the auditor’s office.

New Mexico received $701.7 million in SLFRF federal commitment. Of that sum, $530 million was obligated around the state. The auditor’s report shows $171 million remains to be committed.

“With the deadline to obligate these funds by Dec. 31, and to fully expend them by Dec. 31, 2026, “it is crucial that local governments act swiftly to ensure these resources are utilized effectively,” the release stated.

Curry County’s SLFRF total was $9.508 million. All of that money was obligated according to the state auditor’s report.

Curry County Manager Lance Pyle shared a report from this past March that outlined how the federal money was spent.

County Finance Director Troy Hall created the document showing the money went for the Fairgrounds Livestock Pavilion, cooling fans for the Events Center, planning for the proposed Sports Complex, new Curry County Adult Detention Center doors, tasers for the Sheriff’s Department and numerous other projects.

Roosevelt County has $1.135 million in unobligated funds from a total allotment of $3.593 million.

“We are in the process of encumbering that amount now,” County Manager Annette Kirk said Wednesday.

“We’re planning for a new elevator car for the courthouse, we paid for some software for the county that has helped all departments, we have remodeling projects in the courthouse and at the fairgrounds pavilion and we have other projects,” Kirk said.