City Manager Manny Gomez and Police Chief August Fawns presented a three-star accreditation plaque to the Community Services Division during the June 2 Hobbs City Commission meeting after the division’s approval by the American Association of Code Enforcement (AACE).

Gomez opened the recognition, saying it was “with great pride” that the city celebrated the division’s accreditation and explaining that the AACE accreditation reviews comprehensive core competencies for code enforcement and related administration.

The nut graf: the commission publicly recognized the division’s accomplishment as a professional milestone for the city’s enforcement and community services functions; staff described the accreditation as evidence of standard-setting policies, training and procedures.

Chief Fawns and Jessica Silva (Community Services lead) joined the presentation. Chief Fawns said the recognition confirms “what we here in Hobbs have always believed and known for a long time,” and said the division is the first agency in New Mexico and the twelfth in the nation to receive the three-star accreditation. Jessica Silva thanked her staff and said preparing the application required extensive documentation; she estimated the submission at “probably about 2, 3000 pages.”

There was no formal vote; the item was a ceremonial recognition and plaque presentation. Commissioners congratulated staff and noted the work necessary to achieve accreditation.

Ending: The recognition concluded with staff and commissioners thanking the Community Services Division and encouraging continued professional development and community engagement.