[{"_1":2,"_122":-5,"_123":-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",6186197,"mediaKeyId","5078047-a55297b3f97cf3ad22d4934b57691788","parentId",5078047,"title","Commission approves county manager hire; chairman warns of staffing cuts and enforces hiring freeze","audioSeconds",2264,"startMs",2465000,"endMs",4729000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5078047-a55297b3f97cf3ad22d4934b57691788&start=2465&end=4729","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5078047-a55297b3f97cf3ad22d4934b57691788/thumbnail_2465000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6186197/Colfax-County/New-Mexico/Commission-approves-county-manager-hire-chairman-warns-of-staffing-cuts-and-enforces-hiring-freeze","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6186197-3bd0fac4133834ede5fb7ec432ec567d/orig.mp4?Expires=1774963015&Signature=mWteFblUOj5ZFroUKuQ7UrV-9R2YkPGItnHl0udO7dzQ4b2QapkCuqe5xoPufLs1lsNIUMm5aZiCuk7q7USdGWZq4vVT5uQwJgFRS3t8ESAvLWdiSClcFA-7IMT~qrj1TTXFk6LhhQ9sUG5w041VCStm1a97vhVsyA~2BCHY1LY3HZH2wggT~M1lEPP~Jg8FVc4FZVSYLkW8gU~oFJwHWyV2HyRviZQSFXJaAfO~aRvBQQEKU5ZHzNN59nfm7qVGr~VXaMYv32JhFV0Qy08VXu1PhQC9tqE3zZlYsUr5YTUjNsg8palrNviP6~LygHFaUuWj4VVspnL17-SvF~LpHQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Colfax County, NM","date","2025-06-25T04:23:57Z","article","The Colfax County Commission voted Thursday to approve the appointment of Cheryl Navarette as the county's next manager, subject to final contract negotiations with the county attorney.

Commissioners were told the contract draft remained incomplete but that the candidate — identified by staff as Cheryl Navarette — was recommended and would begin near July if negotiations conclude. \"I would make a motion to approve, Miss Navarette, pending the contract negotiation with county attorney Ivy Soto,\" one commissioner said; the motion passed by roll call vote.

In a separate and lengthy statement the chairman addressed county staffing and a hiring freeze. He told elected officials and their assistants that, as county employees serving the public, they must maintain operations amid staffing cuts. \"You as an elected official and your assistant are workers for the county also, not just the other employees, and we all have to work together,\" he said. He reiterated a hiring freeze and said further employee reductions may be necessary if departments do not cooperate to maintain services.

The chairman also said he had consulted attorneys and state officials regarding office performance and requested documentation of qualifications and time in service before approving salary changes or promotions for replacements. \"Before you send something for a raise, a position change... I want to know their qualifications,\" he said.

The commission approved the manager appointment pending final contract language; commissioners also agreed to maintain the existing hiring freeze while they seek cost controls and staff reassignments across departments.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Colfax County Regular Commission Meeting June 24, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The commission approved a pending appointment of Cheryl Navarette as county manager pending contract negotiations. Chairman Tatum reiterated a hiring freeze and warned elected officials and their staff to step up as staffing cuts continue.","taxTitle","Colfax County, New Mexico","taxId",70187,"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},6186204,"Courthouse HVAC failures prompt temporary cooling measures as repairs continue",100,3853000,3953000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5078047-a55297b3f97cf3ad22d4934b57691788&start=3853&end=3953","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5078047-a55297b3f97cf3ad22d4934b57691788/thumbnail_3853000.jpg","/articles/6186204/Colfax-County/New-Mexico/Courthouse-HVAC-failures-prompt-temporary-cooling-measures-as-repairs-continue","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6186204-d5b7aa6e784c1719804018c4889cf60c/orig.mp4?Expires=1774963015&Signature=lsd~KVTJ1YHkRTESCItmAg9-gn6CciQwdjitEOtNl6jrActfpe4JJ~IuBCamgIppQItK~mnn9mjJOhi7cDQaofi3ohpea8xdU1lhmtQe9lbwyNzuRhws0e7DpUP4wnNKICAthSs3Kwi0YpG9kzIb~psOZfPRhJgoAIYVjtFhI4FOmgQ7ArZuSsIZciTBTb2zWM-csTkb8kzkQ9r2jZURjeYbdOWn0txXPL9BywDqPgKs2wGMYZT36TboeB4P6Cq32RWjhvUCXb81GD5r9m8VVVs8568gRccXsoVskJOCnMEHWaHlJ0AlZW0HkxerwmNjeXdd9W9yfMKhZfXtZeexeA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Colfax County officials reported ongoing HVAC failures at the county judicial center and said technicians are continuing efforts to restore reliable cooling.

County staff told commissioners that technicians got the system running briefly after replacement parts were installed but that the system later failed and would not restart. \"They bypassed the exhaust side VFD... the air conditioner was running through the weekend. It went down on Sunday afternoon... it wouldn't reengage,\" a county official said.

Staff said they spent hours on the phone with the vendor and filed an additional help ticket; two technicians were scheduled to be on site the next day to trace bypasses and legacy modifications that have accumulated over 15 years of repairs.

While repairs continue, the county said it obtained rolling evaporative coolers and deployed fans with help from local school staff and others to keep the courtroom environment tolerable. The county also reported a separate equipment issue in the jail — a hood vent repair — and a hot‑water heater leak that had been addressed.

County staff said they have contacted state facilities and submitted an insurance equipment‑breakdown claim for damage related to HVAC equipment; staff noted the county's deductible applies.

Commissioners were advised the county was continuing to operate the court calendar, including a jury trial, with temporary cooling measures in place.

The county did not provide a timetable for full restoration but said additional vendor diagnostics and parts are expected in the near term.","Colfax County staff reported repeated HVAC failures at the judicial center; technicians continue troubleshooting variable frequency drives and staff deployed fans and evaporative coolers to maintain court operations while parts and technicians are scheduled.",{"_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},6186209,"Commission approves senior center ICIP and amends contract language to remove vehicle-use clause",1729,1573000,3302000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5078047-a55297b3f97cf3ad22d4934b57691788&start=1573&end=3302","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5078047-a55297b3f97cf3ad22d4934b57691788/thumbnail_1573000.jpg","/articles/6186209/Colfax-County/New-Mexico/Commission-approves-senior-center-ICIP-and-amends-contract-language-to-remove-vehicle-use-clause","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6186209-53c52e06f2330a978818986011c1a42f/orig.mp4?Expires=1774963015&Signature=aHYpQLH-sfMK0g1FRW3OQe1sMNXV5STkVTYHEiSj4uLDzJfdyrvy3qnW0tcL5zLweiP3UUgqyPpDoQosEUwsziGKSqsCDE2Zfc9ZxE6g8r0zl6SVFL2Soq1M6Bdne5Hs85nspazuJtF3QAlSUpu1~cJQo~A0qcbhFi8ZWa06INDDPcVhs~vd0y~F7pfgt~85SaxwRQoq-XOuYuD7vIY45rG~dXF6d9DyI5orZnYxTUFyC-miacqB88baxqkHSHyTJ-g4FOXalvOnG9ucqr7NJDAD3n6OZjLoEyGIf77jyH-Na~uTUJyDO8ZJBzyry6zC9VUI~t2VJsJCLLJdb8k9cw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Colfax County Commission approved a resolution adopting the Raton/Springer/Cimarron Senior Center ICIP for fiscal years 2027–2031 and later approved a professional services agreement amendment for the Colfax County Senior Center that removes language on use of state vehicles.

At the meeting staff said the ICIP was \"pretty self explanatory\" and recommended approval; commissioners voted yes on the resolution adopting the senior center ICIP. Leroy Sandoval, finance director, told the commission he had met with a senior center board member to review line items and project summaries prior to the meeting. \"I met with Miss Pinkbone this morning. She couldn't make it because of the board meeting she's on with the senior center,\" Sandoval said.

Separately, the commission had earlier tabled the professional services agreement after a question about whether the contract's language barred senior‑center use of county or state vehicles even though the county owns vehicles used by the centers. After staff prepared an edit, county attorney Daniel Ivy Soto recommended striking the phrase \"use of state vehicles\" from the contract. The commission took the item off the table and approved the agreement with that amendment.

Commissioners voted to approve both the ICIP resolution and the amended professional services agreement by roll‑call votes. Staff noted the amendment resolves the immediate operational concern about vehicle wording; the agreement still specifies that the senior center does not have routine use of county‑operated vehicles unless separately authorized.

No change to funding levels for the ICIP was enacted at the meeting; the approvals are procedural steps in the county's capital planning and contract management process.","Colfax County approved the Raton/Springer/Cimarron Senior Center ICIP for FY 2027–2031 and, after tabling earlier, approved a professional services agreement amendment removing a phrase about \"use of state vehicles.\"",{"_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},6186213,"Commission delays vote on new county road policy after dispute over easement width",330,2562000,2892000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5078047-a55297b3f97cf3ad22d4934b57691788&start=2562&end=2892","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5078047-a55297b3f97cf3ad22d4934b57691788/thumbnail_2562000.jpg","/articles/6186213/Colfax-County/New-Mexico/Commission-delays-vote-on-new-county-road-policy-after-dispute-over-easement-width","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6186213-dd139fddc85b8a7933c5ab88a3406bec/orig.mp4?Expires=1774963015&Signature=S4aLgCeJPxMGZewyfQ5GIhqy3cqNLESa~8Pu1U7N9X8m5KVlpiAXLI7TTXDXy~k2sBJkbwc6wkKf~NwbHfuDhwBnL4VlPcVAb~Ml0szvM9zsLbRNyNwlFMnVP9DYoSGZYeytfvsNtqFzktUJMJhPTBOfvT0f5GnXFdqoHzi-wOoprGnTsaOLYewNOArBbzkkR39tlCGUmV9Hi4zwwagKAUe32zHrdb14J9NpijDoswX0xbDZZGoTUKUFS69pQV-iy~Xcey103FUcyBTrURY6ys4PYPduY7NzQjY3vRoWMdH0PJ4oJASIvjtNRGl6iZ-fm3qBBEugbOSQ1GMyEPxKwQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Colfax County Commission on Thursday postponed action on a proposed county road policy after commissioners and staff raised disputes over proposed easement and road-width standards.

The draft policy recommended a 60‑foot easement and a 20‑foot road width for new county roads. Several commissioners objected to the 60‑foot easement and supported a 30‑foot standard with flexibility for specific circumstances. \"I have a problem with your 60 foot easement. So do I. I think 30 foot's more adequate,\" one commissioner said, adding that some locations would still require expansion for turnouts.

Commissioners and road staff discussed exceptions for long turnouts, cattle guards and snow‑removal impacts on fences. Staff noted the policy applies to new roads only and that many existing roads would not meet the proposed dimensions. \"This is only for new roads,\" a county staff member said during the exchange.

One commissioner suggested adding language to permit turnouts where needed but to cap turnout width at 60 feet. Another suggested adding an owner‑responsibility clause for fence damage from snow removal.

After discussion, a motion to postpone the policy passed on a roll‑call vote so staff could revise the draft and return it with redline changes showing proposed exceptions and a 30‑foot option.

The commission asked staff to bring a redline version back at the next meeting that includes turnout exceptions, a possible 30‑foot easement option, and suggested language on fence damage responsibility.","Commissioners discussed a proposed county road policy that would set a 60-foot easement and 20-foot road width for new county roads but agreed to postpone action after disagreement over reducing the easement to 30 feet and exceptions for turnouts.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":104,"_45":115,"_47":116,"_49":117,"_51":118,"_53":119,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":120,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":121,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6186218,"Colfax County approves $4.42 million NMDOT LGRF agreement to gravel Raton-area roads",189,3081000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5078047-a55297b3f97cf3ad22d4934b57691788&start=2892&end=3081","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5078047-a55297b3f97cf3ad22d4934b57691788/thumbnail_2892000.jpg","/articles/6186218/Colfax-County/New-Mexico/Colfax-County-approves-442-million-NMDOT-LGRF-agreement-to-gravel-Raton-area-roads","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6186218-0efc69327d788668fbcb8ad3759725f5/orig.mp4?Expires=1774963015&Signature=GB49ULIlB0k30z6m-R2fVVQ4uh2kzbo47OBMQ~GwzIlNl7t3HKh3qUnHmsosdM-ISLLRltZX7lkOzwNlUwUt9PsEnJLGtMcjI4-35jjPCbqa~qyIY6sEY~WUh8baYTE2pPxClx1ZC0OuIzafu1U3zew6D2rE26lptT1ItMj0wvGe~ccv-yrn8v6pvbZfxmG8rVV~yik498cUP1Jxxd1tOPrw92Cw9dqesX65EjJ~jYZjBt2ljcvAzwReO3XKg~w7CTrSVyOtWeV1zWgALaK6LKGHYkiPkgWwjqOtazw4NC3IaiJMUbPqB5-7-XXYQUbepPPMlVFebI0hHhVjIR3JOg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Colfax County Commission on Thursday approved three resolutions to accept New Mexico Department of Transportation Local Government Road Fund (LGRF) awards totaling $4,417,617 to gravel a group of county roads in the Raton area.

The funding package, described by county staff during the meeting as focused on higher-traffic routes, covers gravel work on roads including Potato Mountain Road and Gardner Road and several shorter roads the county said “have not been graveled for years.” \"The grand total on this total project that we would be awarded is the $4,417,617,\" a county staff member said during the discussion.

County staff told commissioners the award paperwork had been prepared as three resolutions (2025-53, 2025-54 and 2025-55) and recommended accepting the grant and moving the projects forward. The commission approved the resolutions by voice roll call after a motion and second; all commissioners present voted yes.

Commissioners and staff discussed the county share for these projects. \"It has not yet been factored in. We'll include it in the final budget,\" the same staff member said when asked whether the county match had been placed into the draft budget. Staff also said Colfax County typically documents match as in-kind work from the road department but acknowledged the need to reflect the match formally in budget documents.

During discussion commissioners urged that, if funds are approved, projects be completed promptly rather than stretched out. \"I'd like to see these projects... get them done immediately instead of them being prolonged,\" one commissioner said.

The commission's action was a formal acceptance of the awards; staff said the county will add the match to the final budget and proceed with scoping and scheduling. No additional project-specific timelines or contractor awards were decided at the meeting.

The resolutions approved at the meeting were identified by staff as NMDOT FY26 LGRF agreements and were passed by roll call vote.","The Colfax County Commission approved three resolutions to accept a New Mexico Department of Transportation Local Government Road Fund award totaling $4,417,617 to gravel multiple short, high-traffic county roads near Raton; the county match has not yet been included in the budget.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Commission approves county manager hire; chairman warns of staffing cuts and enforces hiring freeze

Courthouse HVAC failures prompt temporary cooling measures as repairs continue

Commission approves senior center ICIP and amends contract language to remove vehicle-use clause

Commission delays vote on new county road policy after dispute over easement width

Colfax County approves $4.42 million NMDOT LGRF agreement to gravel Raton-area roads