Mike Smith
Artesia Daily Press
msmith@currentargus.com

Outgoing elected officials highlighted their accomplishments and addressed the Eddy County Board of County Commissioners during the final meeting of 2024 on Dec. 17.

District 2 Commissioner Jon Henry, Treasurer Laurie Pruitt and Sheriff Mark Cage all served two four-year terms and were prohibited by term limits from seeking re-election.

District 3 Commissioner Fred Beard served one four-year term and decided not to seek a second term.

“It’s been a pleasure the last four years,” Beard said.

“We get things done around here,” he said, describing Eddy County as “the best county in the state of New Mexico.”

“It’s been a good ride. I appreciate everything,” he said.

Beard will be replaced by Philip John Troost, who defeated Justin Wilson in the June 4 Republican primary and ran unopposed in the Nov. 5 general election.

Troost is a farmer and lives in Artesia. He will serve an area that covers parts of western, northern and southern Eddy County.

Henry, who won his first term in 2016, said he was not sure what to expect when sought elective public office for the first time.

“It’s a lot different than being class president. It took a little more discussion on the thought process,” Henry said.

“I have loved being an Eddy County commissioner,” Henry said, describing his first two years on the commission as “shaky” but saying the county has made strides in tax collections and budgeting during his tenure.

“Hope that continues,” he said. “I think we use that money wisely. I’ve been proud of the commission and the other elected officials. Department heads make sure we just don’t spend wildly. We make sure everything we do has been impactful to the people that we have been elected to serve.”

Henry also serves as mayor of Artesia and will replace outgoing State Rep. Jim Townsend (R-54) in the New Mexico Legislature in 2025.

Townsend was elected in November to serve as state senator in District 34.

Artesia Chamber of Commerce Director Hayley Klein replaces Henry next year. She was unopposed in the Republican primary and in the general election.

Cage will stay on as undersheriff when Matthew Hutchinson assumes the job as sheriff in 2025.

Before the meeting, Cage told the Current-Argus in a text message he was honored to serve the citizens of Eddy County.

“We accomplished some amazing things and transformed the sheriff’s office. I’m blessed to have had the opportunity and to be able to continue to serve as undersheriff once again,” he wrote.

Pruitt did not address commissioners during the meeting. Eddy County spokesperson Savannah Cabezuela said she will continue working in the treasurer’s office with treasurer-elect Patricia Carrasco.

Mike Smith can be reached at 575-308-8734 or email at msmith@currentargus.com.