[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6234249,"mediaKeyId","3411661-78aa3b4990961afc8fc8932f73e07516","parentId",3411661,"title","Eddy County releases proposed 2027–2031 ICIP with dispatch center, medical facility and bridges among top projects","audioSeconds",1051,"startMs",2641000,"endMs",3692000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3411661-78aa3b4990961afc8fc8932f73e07516&start=2641&end=3692","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3411661-78aa3b4990961afc8fc8932f73e07516/thumbnail_2641000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6234249/Eddy-County/New-Mexico/Eddy-County-releases-proposed-20272031-ICIP-with-dispatch-center-medical-facility-and-bridges-among-top-projects","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6234249-495419d90206d42abec39377cf196487/orig.mp4?Expires=1771163553&Signature=SSXBnvDtkD3FkFcULjYRUJYi3ot0nYlSqrJieW5R9x-v244ebZOWZ930lyPR617G~1524oxGIV3KTvAnAkNB6CyV6ZnL78dz4x899kpzSuo~SLgRqIHn4wWCXh9BalYQSLvdKXzAI8kqTE3EwXzN~sJKDeLmJqkmPQyATwR7RPprtaU0AWpKgCM8qX9o5crombeJJlzixEwH9S0rngNb99wHBHafXe-r1xIr-kVc72koAT8FkX6bA5CXGJ9wOBt7eDFgODQLEA0~1Tw6G7v0NgWG-rj-SM7-F~MuR3d9irQdqLcLZtXZPX0VqnGUaFUbZprAzAWWuSXmiAOYde~MwA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Eddy County, NM","date","2025-05-21T00:50:00.573Z","article","Eddy County staff on May 27 presented a draft Infrastructure Capital Improvement Plan (ICIP) for fiscal years 2027–2031 and asked commissioners for feedback before returning with a proposed adoption item.

County manager Mike Gallagher and staff described the ICIP as a five‑year planning document used to prioritize capital projects and signal county priorities to state legislators and funding partners. Staff said the plan is due to the state by July 10 and indicated they would return to the commission on June 10 seeking adoption.

Staff walked the commission through the proposed top projects and the broader five‑year list. Among the highlighted items were a proposed consolidated dispatch center to serve county and municipal partners (rough size of ~15,000 square feet and a preliminary cost estimate of about $20 million); a new medical facility (emergency/urgent care with possible trauma capacity) to address gaps in emergency medicine in the southern county; McDonald Bridge replacement (estimated as a 400-foot-by-40-foot structure); continued work on a potential government administration facility remodel; courthouse interior renovations to preserve historic character while addressing infrastructure and safety needs; fire-rescue training-ground enhancements; and a north regional fire station.

Staff reported the draft plan shows projects not yet funded at roughly $648 million across the five-year horizon, up from about $430 million in the prior ICIP. The presentation emphasized the ICIP is not a budget but a roadmap that helps prioritize projects and pursue external funding. Staff recommended keeping the government administration project on the list (but slightly lower) and elevating life‑safety and emergency projects such as the consolidated dispatch center and a medical/ER facility.

Commissioners asked about potential cost-sharing for the dispatch center and whether municipalities would participate. Staff said specific cost-sharing arrangements would need to be negotiated. Gallagher said having the project on the ICIP helps the county pursue state funding and coordinate with cities and towns interested in shared services.

Staff requested direction and scheduled a formal adoption item for the June 10 meeting; no final action was taken on May 27.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","05 20 25 Eddy County Commission Meeting Part 1","oneSentenceSummary","Eddy County staff on May 27 presented a draft 2027–2031 Infrastructure Capital Improvement Plan outlining top projects including a consolidated dispatch center (prelim. $20 million), a proposed medical/ER facility, bridge replacements and a north regional fire station.","taxTitle","Eddy County, New Mexico","taxId",51111,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6234254,"Eddy County considers $2 million to support 268‑child daycare bought by Carlsbad schools",438,2247000,2685000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3411661-78aa3b4990961afc8fc8932f73e07516&start=2247&end=2685","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3411661-78aa3b4990961afc8fc8932f73e07516/thumbnail_2247000.jpg","/articles/6234254/Eddy-County/New-Mexico/Eddy-County-considers-2-million-to-support-268child-daycare-bought-by-Carlsbad-schools","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6234254-22d1160d60643b1b7e2012e7a17556f4/orig.mp4?Expires=1771163553&Signature=YFmvriJJEDJeyBP1vHK94wjqWjnzYvWnOyFgVJUd1jLZAuWxaqT2tzeWsksAPk4Q35o74ZvDg806o8xTpd9mmc0k59g5Lpmr~6-tgE768ozi6Vlp9dukWDHrwv6XAHsQ-oMXsRNk87lAiW1uPG~1FmtwOnwy0Bi2zDdZbXebpDlCE-kZI03KRrehapweJs23CR5yZFLUB5JJLb6iL0HPIoZf2GFh8WvHs3dcUWUp38EXZBhghTUYtDNne88qZCAkVmk6-mv7GZYix8AGZI6Ebh9P~~v~wcqY~oL59E8~DYbuVqJcZPmTuQ~vSBcnkzvmcGVdGZHCDbsMiZNk48XDAA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Eddy County commissioners discussed a proposal May 27 for the county to provide $2,000,000 to help operate a daycare facility that Carlsbad Municipal Schools is considering purchasing.

County manager Mike Gallagher told the commission the proposal grew from conversations among the schools, the county and a local nonprofit, God's Light in the Darkness Foundation, to address a countywide shortage of child-care capacity. \"Nearly 7% of our population is under the age of 5 and, that calls for the need to have more day care services,\" Gallagher said.

Gallagher summarized the proposal presented by the Carlsbad Municipal Schools board at its May 13 meeting: the school board authorized Superintendent Dr. Washburn to discuss buying a daycare facility that could house approximately 268 children. Under the plan discussed with county staff, Eddy County would provide $2,000,000 to Carlsbad Municipal Schools to help operate the facility, with that funding expected to support operations for about three to four years. The county would also reserve roughly 50 to 75 spaces for county employees; the exact terms remain to be negotiated.

Kristin Gamboa, identified in the meeting as executive director of the Carlsbad Department of Development, told commissioners she and other local leaders see more child-care capacity as an economic-development priority. Gallagher said he had contacted local day-care providers and found widespread wait lists and limited immediate openings, reinforcing the community need.

Commissioners expressed support and asked staff to return with an action item. Gallagher said staff would bring the proposal back for the board to consider at the June 10 meeting.

No formal county funding decision was taken on May 27; the discussion functioned as direction to pursue terms and return with a proposed action. Details including final operating agreements, precise reservation counts for county employees and any required oversight or match conditions were not settled during the discussion.","County manager Mike Gallagher said Carlsbad Municipal Schools is considering buying a daycare that could serve about 268 children; Eddy County staff proposed a $2,000,000 contribution intended to cover operations for roughly three to four years and reserve about 50–75 spaces for county employees. Commissioners will consider an action item on June ",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6234259,"Eddy County official urges rewrite of 22-year-old land-use policy; cites federal land, fire and species issues",942,1143000,2085000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3411661-78aa3b4990961afc8fc8932f73e07516&start=1143&end=2085","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3411661-78aa3b4990961afc8fc8932f73e07516/thumbnail_1143000.jpg","/articles/6234259/Eddy-County/New-Mexico/Eddy-County-official-urges-rewrite-of-22-year-old-land-use-policy-cites-federal-land-fire-and-species-issues","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6234259-fcc840ad5d7cb7a6a2a26a886e7862a2/orig.mp4?Expires=1771163553&Signature=A2EvOxohBZp0A6HHC9oqFzO-W0AosSuhd9S9J3wOFqEAuKrtTMvNpj5AeJVQlkEkfToLtyRYE~O0kxNDn39eLqI7e9qNxWpJonvOi3jkpcXaahlxIUj8DP8H2QzO-WeP5qz-p2psurBx405m3T1o8F3TdoH15I7SP~zHLTM0GDub1P~fTtEAmbCil~w0PclzUQZ680uX1MZba2VMPBd5wxGrM8xwoAPRPhu1QHbzC8RZNAV9IuJj4BCkyms7~uHuBYEwoRtdq7RRy0N3i4LNHPTpwH0GrLCzI1eDDItSSkfaSDTvAkc1PScKU3ETh9YImNUeDjOcU3AK78NszZCcQg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","An extended presentation May 27 urged Eddy County to update its land-use policy, with a focus on federal land management, wildfire mitigation and protections connected to endangered-species and resource-management rules.

Louis Derek (identified in the transcript as the speaker introducing the item) told commissioners the county’s land-use policy dates from about 22 years ago and lacks definitions and comprehensiveness necessary to respond to changing federal policies, new resource management plans (RMPs), and litigation affecting NEPA and other federal rules. \"We just did a shotgun approach without any definitions or comprehensive definitions, and that's what we need on some of it,\" Derek said.

He recommended several areas for revision: monitoring and engaging with BLM’s Western States RMP process; including payment-in-lieu-of-taxes (PILT) calculations in the county plan because federal land affects the county tax base; codifying agreements with FEMA on floodplain mapping and responses; clarifying the county’s approach to rights-of-way (Reference to 24-77 road issues); and spelling out law-enforcement and emergency-service agreements that involve federal land management agencies. He also suggested adding forest-service salvage timber, underbrush control and wildland-fire tools, including contracts with NRCS or private grazing/goat leases to reduce fire risk.

Derek flagged litigation and legislative activity he said were reshaping federal regulation: proposed NEPA and Endangered Species Act language changes in Congress, court rulings on the role of the Council on Environmental Quality, contested listing decisions for species such as prairie chickens and sand-dune lizards, and legal fights over wolf expansion. \"There's so much litigation in the National Environmental Policy Act on decisions that they're trying to get it back to the end to local control,\" he said.

He suggested the county could be more proactive if and when a new BLM director is nominated and resource-disposition opportunities arise; he cited national land-disposal figures (\"looking to sell or relinquish, like, 450,000 acres nationwide\") and recommended the county be prepared to pursue parcels of interest. Derek told commissioners he would try to return in September with more-detailed recommendations.

Commissioners and staff thanked Derek and agreed the plan needed revision; several members said they wanted more detail and a draft to consider in a future meeting. The commission did not take formal action on the presentation; Derek framed it as an initial overview and asked staff to coordinate next steps.","A lengthy discussion led by Louis Derek urged the county to overhaul its land-use ordinance—last updated about 22 years ago—to address federal land disposals, BLM resource management plans, payments in lieu of taxes, FEMA flood agreements, wildfire mitigation and species protections being debated at the federal level.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6234262,"LifeHouse reports services expansion after Eddy County opioid-settlement grant",305,759000,1064000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3411661-78aa3b4990961afc8fc8932f73e07516&start=759&end=1064","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3411661-78aa3b4990961afc8fc8932f73e07516/thumbnail_759000.jpg","/articles/6234262/Eddy-County/New-Mexico/LifeHouse-reports-services-expansion-after-Eddy-County-opioid-settlement-grant","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6234262-5ef126c899bcfd77f17a39ad4968fdb7/orig.mp4?Expires=1771163553&Signature=hJ~yFdANWYK1FDhZmWMKF-0Fdt~ScLW5wDgH5R7e4u5w5rYC6w7Yeau49aYNEXLcfWVZxZB6aqhZgeLLKrLzFsSndI36AaauhS9ssOTTICmxu9-8VC0rZ~LMyuizFjvrr9ZhF1n3ZCCcpTcPHKdck8GMs0bsUrTLXaDw1NLUGTOwjaG0Uu06T4cD0FEHr5n35Mt6a8g7gOzoa3Bzoh6De9HAUwiqEClXjfTBRk~4Ckl2H5pWlXY42HyIrpThuH9Lj0qhyBIYGedBMvxqyYw~I9zp3lGKF~zaRP1yqWjNwkjl2VTODmVcllxHICduFjOvBTQZJTogtgfyDnMfXVFrvQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Eddy County commissioners heard an update May 27 on services funded by the county’s opioid-settlement award to Carlsbad Lighthouse, presented by county manager Mike Gallagher and Phil Houston, executive director of LifeHouse.

LifeHouse told the commission it is serving more than 500 clients a month for mental health and substance-use needs and is using settlement funds to support an overdose response program, a crisis-diversion/remodel project and community education and training.

The update explained why the work matters: the county’s award was intended to expand local behavioral-health supports so people who overdose or experience a behavioral crisis can be routed to treatment rather than jail or a hospital. \"Our mission is to change the mental health and substance use outcomes here in our community by building a continuum of care for those type of services,\" Phil Houston, executive director at LifeHouse, said. \"We're serving over 500 clients a month right now for various mental health and substance use needs here in our facilities in Eddy County.\"

Houston described several program elements supported by the settlement funds. An overdose response program deploys a community response team to follow up after nonfatal overdoses and offer services; LifeHouse said it has trained \"virtually all the first responders in the county\" on that follow-up process but has not yet seen wide community uptake. The grant will also underwrite a remodel to create a crisis receiving/diversion space — intended to let law enforcement or other first responders bring people for treatment instead of jail or emergency departments. \"We're gonna start the remodel next month. Should only take a couple of months,\" Houston said, adding the work involves repurposing existing space rather than major construction.

LifeHouse also said the funding supports a full-time community-education position. Houston noted the hire has provided seven Mental Health First Aid courses and trained more than 65 county residents; the staffer has also been trained in youth Mental Health First Aid. He said the organization is producing print and digital education materials and continuing staff training to adopt promising new treatments.

Houston noted LifeHouse recently learned its RISE grant — a program providing peer-led groups and transition support in detention centers — was renewed; the renewal will support a full-time staff member assigned to work in the county detention center. He invited commissioners and county staff to a local behavioral-health summit the same day, and said LifeHouse will hold a ribbon cutting for its new Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic (CCBHC) designation later in the day.

Commissioners thanked LifeHouse for the national recognition and for services expansion. No formal action was taken; the presentation was recorded as an informational update to the county about how opioid-settlement and related grant funds are being used.

LifeHouse and county staff provided timelines and enrollment figures but also noted uptake on some new services remains low so far; commissioners and staff asked for continued tracking of usage and outcomes.","LifeHouse (formerly Carlsbad Lighthouse) told Eddy County commissioners it is using opioid settlement funds to expand overdose response, a diversion/crisis receiving area and community education; the group reports serving about 500 clients a month and plans a remodel to open crisis receiving space later this year.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6234245,"Eddy County approves midyear budget adjustments and reallocates $85,000 for landfill tipping‑station fencing",99,3729000,3828000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3411661-78aa3b4990961afc8fc8932f73e07516&start=3729&end=3828","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3411661-78aa3b4990961afc8fc8932f73e07516/thumbnail_3729000.jpg","/articles/6234245/Eddy-County/New-Mexico/Eddy-County-approves-midyear-budget-adjustments-and-reallocates-85000-for-landfill-tippingstation-fencing","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6234245-4d94312b2bac8d069a78e72fc42ed305/orig.mp4?Expires=1771163553&Signature=B7nh7txDbA5h5OoKUJrSGuyoQ9HSgDCosiPuopD0aqjB4CXXZvcG95TUr2-fk4xEc83U6TSxodBbX076-orAAZnavHzxMLmJz1ddDRZ18lfJ16tZbY~jLWobWI6tI8-BZgIBD95kZ0l8fQVrIqZJAzwlqUE3vumEbnw-xv3BdQVcThjGIeej4-hrhzXVDFvYkup5yknu3ZwKzccr2D5jFpSEfBIuid7afwrgWKcFoqoVePQAJgs8tLTBuy~fvzMFWWPWvvd2fLIsJFPMq91oXcXKn147rATAtcjFIxrdg1bx0SJ30346sSDIrLrz4nv3nNIGxLPbTCYHkjxY4PmWtQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Eddy County commissioners on May 27 approved routine midyear budget adjustments and a separate reallocation to build a fence at the county landfill’s tipping station.

The board voted to adopt Resolution R‑25‑39, the fiscal‑year 2024–25 budget adjustment. A county finance staff member who filled in for the finance director said the adjustments were standard year‑to‑date items and that operational expenditures remain within revenue. The motion passed with an affirmative vote from Commissioners Bowen, Carlson, Trost, Klein and Cordova.

After discussion of landfill operations, Public Works staff proposed reallocating roughly $85,000 from Cell 6 budgeted funds to build a wind‑block fence at the tipping station to reduce litter. The staff member presenting the item described additional steps planned at the landfill, including netting around the exterior and work on an 80‑acre acquisition that staff said is underway. The commissioners approved the $85,000 reallocation; the motion passed unanimously.

No increased operating appropriation beyond the reallocation was introduced in the meeting. Commissioners expressed support for the landfill improvements and asked staff to continue assessing other needs and return with further proposals as necessary.","Commissioners approved resolution R‑25‑39 to authorize routine midyear budget adjustments and separately approved a reallocation of about $85,000 (from Cell 6 miscellaneous funds) to build a fence at the landfill’s tipping station to reduce wind‑blown litter; both votes passed unanimously.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Eddy County releases proposed 2027–2031 ICIP with dispatch center, medical facility and bridges among top projects

Eddy County considers $2 million to support 268‑child daycare bought by Carlsbad schools

Eddy County official urges rewrite of 22-year-old land-use policy; cites federal land, fire and species issues

LifeHouse reports services expansion after Eddy County opioid-settlement grant

Eddy County approves midyear budget adjustments and reallocates $85,000 for landfill tipping‑station fencing