Councilor Wade Nelson reported nine job openings in the Artesia Police Department during the Police and Fire Committee report at Tuesday’s meeting of the Artesia City Council.
Nelson also reported the committee voted to unfreeze three of six open positions in the Artesia Fire Department and will be raising court fees to pay for penalty assessments. The committee also discussed the upcoming Permian Basin Celebration on June 15.
In the Government Committee report, Mayor Pro Tem Jeff Youtsey said Red Rocket Media will be shooting videos for the promotion of the Artesia Senior Center and the Artesia Historical Museum and Art Center. The committee also discussed financial controls in all departments that sell items to the public.
The commission voted to set a public hearing for April 23 regarding a contract for the sale of real estate at 401 W. Centre Ave. to JHTC Investments, LLC, a New Mexico limited liability company, for the purchase price of $100,000 with additional conditions.
In final business, the Fiscal Year 2023 audit report was tabled until the April 9 council meeting.
As part of its consent agenda, the council granted permission for:
- the hiring of Jacob Lopez, Planning & Zoning Commission Building Inspector I, Electrical, at a pay rate of $4,015.70 per month and Amanda Baker, Infrastructure Department Senior Administrative Assistant, at a rate of $3,282.44 per month.
- the retirement of Layton Priest, Water Operator I, effective March 12.
- one fire employee to attend the FDIC International Fire Conference in Indianapolis, Ind.
- one police employee to attend a Biennium Update Class in Santa Fe.
- one police employee to attend Managing Training and Evaluation Programs in Albuquerque.
- one police employee to attend the National Association of School Resource Officers Conference in Phoenix, Ariz.
- two police employees to attend the funeral of New Mexico State Police Officer Justin Hare in Albuquerque.
