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Local farmer asks commission to consider reclaimed-water contract for winter wheat; mayor says item will return to agenda
Summary
A Hobbs-area farmer asked the commission to consider a reclaimed-water contract for a winter-wheat operation; staff said the contract exists, the farmer has signed his portion and the mayor said the matter will be on the agenda within two weeks for commission consideration.
A Hobbs-area farmer told the City Commission on Feb. 18 he has been working with the city's water department on a reclaimed-water contract to irrigate winter wheat on a farm near Nadine and asked the commission to review the agreement.
The speaker, identified in the meeting as Mr. Ontiveros, said he grows winter wheat for cattle and signed his portion of the city contract in September. He asked the commission to consider letting reclaimed water that the city is not using during winter months be diverted to farms for irrigation; he said the proposed arrangement would not interfere with an existing neighboring farm's 10-year contract because his use would be mostly during months when the city is not using reclaimed water for parks or golf course irrigation.
Mr. Ontiveros said he had discussed contract details with city staff and that the contract addresses priority questions if water is scarce: “If you guys look at the contract, they did a great job stipulating all that. What happens if there's not plenty of water? I think I would be the one biting the bullet on that one,” he said.
Mayor Cobb responded that city staff (legal, the city manager and acting city attorney) will review outstanding contract questions and that the item will be back on the commission agenda within two weeks for formal consideration.
Ending: No formal action was taken at the Feb. 18 meeting; the mayor said the matter will return to the agenda for the commission to act on after staff review.
