Eddy County commissioners approve staff pay and benefits, accept clean audit, award economic development contracts and clear surplus properties

Eddy County commissioners on a regular meeting held in April approved a package of personnel and budget measures, accepted the county’s 2023–24 financial audit, awarded a two-vendor economic development services contract and authorized the sale of several former county fire stations.

The actions follow a detailed presentation of the county’s year‑end financial statements and a wide-ranging preliminary review of the fiscal 2025–26 budget. Commissioners voted on multiple resolutions and routine items during the meeting; key decisions included a 5% cost‑of‑living adjustment for county employees, adding a county contribution to employee health insurance premiums and granting 40 hours of personal leave credit to employees effective July 1.

The audit presentation, delivered by AJ, a partner with the county’s auditing firm, described the independent opinion as “unmodified,” meaning the auditor concluded the financial statements were fairly presented in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP). The auditors reported no findings rising to the level of reported internal‑control deficiencies under Government Auditing Standards, and no findings related to the federal program they tested (COVID‑19 local assistance and tribal consistency fund). Commissioners voted to accept the audit and file it with the state.

Why it matters: The budget and benefit decisions set the county’s compensation and staffing posture for the coming year and affect recruitment, particularly for detention, sheriff and fire positions that the county said are hard to fill. The audit acceptance confirms external reviewers found the county’s statements reliable, which matters for transparency and any future financing.

County finance highlights and budget direction

County finance staff presented a preliminary countywide revenue figure of about $236 million for fiscal 2025–26. The proposal includes about $67 million in gross‑receipts tax (GRT) and an oil‑and‑gas projection of approximately $65.8 million in production receipts under the countywide numbers then presented. Officials said transfers from other funds are projected at roughly $57 million and that capital spending dominates the expense side, with a proposed countywide expense budget of about $444 million (of which roughly $225 million is capital). Major capital items cited included a detention center ($144 million), courthouse work ($15 million) and site work south of town ($8 million).

Roberta Gonzales, who presented revenue and budget details to the commission, told commissioners the county had collected “roughly $6,800,000” in gross‑receipts tax for February and that oil production receipts were running ahead of earlier budgets in recent years, though staff reduced per‑barrel price assumptions from March projections.

On personnel, the interim budget package includes four new positions in the manager’s office and detention center, 18 reclassifications approved for the interim budget, a $200,000 compensation study to evaluate countywide pay structures, and a 5% COLA effective July 1. The package would also move the county to pay 100% of employee insurance for the employee (and increase the county share above current levels for dependent coverage), increase an employer contribution toward retirement plan payments for certain public‑safety plans to 75% of the employee share (the presenter said this is the maximum permitted by law), and provide a one‑year up‑front 40‑hour personal leave allotment (use it or lose it by fiscal year end). Staff and the county manager explained those benefit changes are intended to improve recruitment and retention.

Audit acceptance

AJ, the audit partner, briefed the commission on the 06/30/2024 audit timeline, scope and conclusions and explained the timing of the state review process that delayed public release until March. He said the firm rendered an unmodified opinion on the county’s financial statements and an unmodified opinion on the federal program tested; the auditors reported one “other‑matter” item in the state reporting package but no reportable Yellow Book internal‑control findings. Commissioners voted to accept and file the audit.

Economic development services contract award

The commission approved RFP 25‑05, a multi‑vendor economic development services solicitation, awarding contracts to two local bidders: the Carlsbad Department of Development for $66,000 and the Artesia Chamber of Commerce for $125,000. Staff recommended both vendors for the multi‑award contract; the motion passed with one recorded abstention.

Surplus properties and property sales

Commissioners found several former county fire stations no longer needed for county operations and authorized sale processes (private sale/auction) for multiple properties, including the former La Horta/La Porta fire station at 115 N. La Horta Circle and other stations identified by staff (addresses discussed at the meeting included sites on Howard Road, Happy Valley/West Texas and the Joel station). County counsel explained the sales will be submitted to the State Board of Finance as required for approval of property sales over the statutory threshold and that the county will seek at least appraised value.

Other actions and routine business

Commissioners approved minutes, expense and purchasing reports, revenue and budget vs. actual reports, a number of budget adjustments and a small reprogramming modification for a BRIDAL grant program, and the county’s annual state fire fund application. The board also approved personnel reclassifications requested by several offices, a proclamation recognizing Public Safety Telecommunicator Week, and a revised regular meeting schedule to reduce the number of meetings in certain months so commissioners and staff can attend conferences. The assessor presented the annual property‑valuation plan and discussed notice‑of‑value mailing and protest timelines.

Votes at a glance (selected items): - Acceptance of Eddy County 2023–24 audit (R‑25‑38): approved (unmodified opinion; vote recorded in meeting as approved). - RFP 25‑05 (economic development services): awarded to Carlsbad Department of Development ($66,000) and Artesia Chamber of Commerce ($125,000); motion approved with one abstention. - Resolution R‑25‑43 (5% COLA effective July 1): approved; estimated FY cost just under $2 million. - Resolution to increase county share of employee health insurance premiums (identified in packet): approved; estimated FY cost about $6.4 million (assumes full staffing for the year). - Resolution R‑25‑45 (credit 40 hours personal leave to employees July 1): approved. - Approval of multiple budget adjustments for FY 2024–25 (finance, PIO, community services, farm and range and indigent burial): approved. - Reprogramming amendment for G‑24 grant (BRIDAL program): approved. - Authorization to begin sale process (private sale/auction, at not less than appraised value) of multiple former county fire stations (including 115 N. La Horta Circle and other listed properties): approved; sales subject to State Board of Finance approval where required. - State fire fund application: authorized for electronic signature and submission by the chair; approved. - Personnel reclassifications and departmental position changes (multiple offices): approved (details in staff packet). - Consent agenda (routine agreements, resolutions and travel requests): approved (one item pulled for discussion and handled separately).

What’s next

Staff will return the preliminary budget for formal interim approval on May 6 and present a final budget for adoption in July. Several property sales require State Board of Finance review before closing. The finance office will post the accepted audit to required state and federal clearinghouses as part of the regular filing process.

Ending

Commissioners and staff framed the package of actions as measures to support county operations, strengthen recruitment and retention for critical staffing areas and preserve the county’s capital plans while maintaining reserves; the board directed staff to proceed with the next procedural steps for the approved items.