By Mike Smith
Carlsbad Current-Argus

Eddy County’s Board of Commissioners tabled a request Tuesday (Sept. 17) to tear down the former Happy Valley fire station. County Fire and Rescue Chief (ECFR) Joshua Mack had asked commissioners to approve demolition of the structure at 4130 West Texas St.

Mack said the building was set for demolition when the new fire station was built across the street.

“It was supposed to be repurposed as an annex (building),” he said.

Mack said the building has “significant issues” and he believes tearing it down and selling the land is an option for the county.

District 1 Commissioner Ernie Carlson suggested selling the building and the property.

“I think the impetus to tear it down is because of its location,” said Eddy County Interim Manager Steve McCutcheon Sr. “When you pull out of the (current) Happy Valley Station, although that road isn’t busy, it blocks the road coming out.”

McCutcheon inspected the building and noted the problems.

“It can be sold as long as those problems are disclosed to the buyer,” he said. “I don’t think tearing it down is essential, I think there is commercial potential to get some value out of it.”

Mack said the building was set for appraisal and he could have an answer for commissioners in October.

The matter was tabled pending the appraisal and further discussion.

Eddy County goes on record opposing state’s EV mandates

Commissioners voted unanimously to adopt a resolution opposing state regulations that require new commercial and residential projects to provide electrical infrastructure designed to support electric vehicle charging.

The regulations were adopted in January by the New Mexico Regulation and Licensing Department’s Construction Industries Division.

Commissioners voted 4-0 – Commission Chairman James “Bo” Bowen was absent – in favor of the resolution, which follows passage of similar resolutions by the cities of Carlsbad and Artesia.

District 1 Commissioner Ernie Carlson said the EV rules could impact construction of a new multimillion-dollar administration center and jail south of Carlsbad and could hamper new business development in Carlsbad.

“You’re trying to grow a small community such as us. With more regulation comes less development,” Carlson said. “We need to be more business friendly in this state.”

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