The Eddy County Commission approved a budget adjustment of $450,000 to start the design phase of the new Eddy County Complex in south Carlsbad during the May 21 commission meeting. The action allows Eddy County to contract an engineering firm to provide civil site and utilities design for the new complex, which will include a new detention center and new administration building.
Eddy County Public Works Projects Director Jason Burns later shared a Road Department progress report reflecting a plan that was put in place about five years ago.
“The plan is still moving forward,” said Burns. “The county has spent about $133 million in road construction since 2020 including blading roads during the winter. Our pavement quality index was 31.5 in 2019. In 2022 it was 42.9. Today we are at a 61.09. We are getting that number where we need to be. We are getting around to the roads now that aren’t used as much. We are still improving. We have an online reporting system and take calls/concerns and we track all of those and what we did to resolve the solution. Our roads are still a priority, and we continue to improve upon them.”
The commission presented the following service awards to Eddy County staff:
- Sandi Tidwell, Motor Vehicle Department – 5 years
- Larry Lopez, Facilities – 5 years
- Clayton Ballard, Detention Center – 10 years
- Michael Molina, Detention Center – 20 years.
The commission approved writing a letter in support of water reuse when it is economically feasible for the New Mexico Oil and Gas Association.
The commission also approved a request from Eddy County Detention Center Warden Billy Massingill to apply for corrections recruitment funds being offered through the New Mexico Department of Finance and Administration. Funds will help cover salaries and benefits of newly recruited detention officers. The county would not be required to match any funds from this grant. Distribution of the award would be 100% the first year, 50% the second year, and 25% the third year.
The commission approved the installation of a community benzene monitor on county property in Artesia as part of a voluntary settlement between HF Sinclair/Navajo Refining, LLC, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the New Mexico Environmental Department.
Kavika Tupo, environmental projects leader, and Brett Arnsberger, projects execution manager, spoke at the meeting and said the benzene monitors would benefit the environment and the community. Refinery staff will pull tests from each monitor every two weeks, send the samples to a lab, and post the results on a public website. The six locations include private property north of the refinery, Guadalupe Park, Artesia Fire Department Station 2, Roselawn Elementary School, Artesia City Hall, and the Eddy County Clerk’s Sub-Office at 602 S. First St. The monitors will be placed on existing light poles at nearly 10 feet high.
Eddy County Sherriff Mark Cage encouraged constituents to check out the new public relations and recruiting videos on the sherriff’s social media pages. He also reported three cadets will graduate from the academy in Hobbs on Friday.
Eddy County Fire and Rescue (ECFR) Chief Joshua Mack reported two new ambulances recently arrived. One of them was placed at Station 6 in Happy Valley and the other will go to Station 2 in Artesia after radios are installed. The old ambulance from Station 2 will move to the Otis station.
Mack reported there were 262 requests for service in April including 21 for controlled burns, 58 with Artesia fire, 103 with Carlsbad fire, and 101 were handled just by ECFR. He also reported they had eight applicants for deputy chief and eight applicants for three lieutenant positions and five applicants for certified fire fighters.
Carol Hennington, Eddy County Information Systems director, shared that a new owl camera had been installed in the commission chambers and was being used to stream commission meetings live on Facebook. The camera turns automatically toward whoever is speaking.
Eddy County Manager Roberta Gonzales reported she went to the Eddy County Fairgrounds for a walk through a few weeks ago with Facilities Director Trent Moore and Commissioner Fred Beard.
“It was eye opening to see what we have out there,” said Gonzales. “We saw the condition the facilities are in and what kind of work needs to be done. We looked at immediate concerns and some of the long-term repairs and maintenance that are needed. There are some emergency things that need to be done before June events like the electrical panel to some of the lighting and the speakers in the arena. There were safety concerns and issues with the bathrooms.
“Trent and his team already got on some of those. After the major events this summer the county will come up with a long-term plan to do some of the major fixes and repairs. The team out there is doing a really good job and we look forward to working with them and getting that place fixed up to the way it should be.”
Beard said there has been some neglect over the years and the work is needed.
“There has been a lot of volunteer help that we so appreciate,” he said.
Gonzales reported Eddy County had sent out a survey for the consideration of a new logo for Eddy County.
“We’re compiling the information and will send it out to a couple designers and see what kind of designs we get back,” she said.
During commission comment time District 2 Commissioner Jon Henry clarified his previous comments about “access to justice” regarding the Eddy County courthouse location.
“I think we need to understand that better and take that into account,” he said.
He also clarified the vote regarding the courthouse location.
“There is a rumor that the vote was two to three. It was a five to zero vote to leave the courthouse where it is. I think that shows the commission is listening.”
District 1 Commissioner Ernie Carlson shared his thoughts on county roads.
“Now that we’re getting the road in a lot better shape now we are getting complaints about speeding on the roads. It’s kind of a no-win situation,” he said. “Our contacts in the BLM told us that the oil field is about to go into turbo drive with the amount of permits they are getting and approving so the income will be coming in. However, there is drawbacks to that so now the hotel rates are going up, which will affect the tourist trade.”
District 4 Commissioner James Bowen reported he had attend the law enforcement memorial held outside City Hall last week in Carlsbad and it was packed. He also said the CEO of Mewbourne Oil Company was in town last week to meet with Eddy County and Carlsbad city officials to introduce themselves and share what they will be doing and how they are contributing back to the city and county.
“It was nice to see the number-one driller in Eddy County come down and introduce themselves and make face to face contact,” he said. “Building permits are at an all-time high and shows how invested these major companies are to our community and that’s something good for our future.”
Following an executive session regarding Burns’ contract the board approved the following changes: adding special projects to include major building and construction projects and renovations to his job description, a salary increase from $155,000 to $160,000 annually, and a personal vehicle stipend of $25,000. He will also be required to carry a $1-million combined single limit policy and will have to name Eddy County as an additional insured on that policy. Changes are to go into effect immediately except the pay which goes into effect in the next pay period.
