Clovis commission approves citywide pay raises, wastewater study contract and multiple agreements; several grant applications authorized

The Clovis City Commission on Sept. 11 approved a series of personnel, consulting and grant actions, including a $1‑per‑hour across‑the‑board pay increase for city employees, a scope and fee agreement with CDM Smith for a wastewater rate study and capital improvement plan, renewal of a retail consulting contract and participation in a new national opioid manufacturers settlement agreement.

The pay increase will raise every city employee’s hourly wage by $1 and lift starting wages by $1, bringing the city minimum to $14.50 an hour. City Manager Justin Hovalt told the commission the change is intended to improve competitiveness ahead of a full compensation study and cushion the city against future increases in the state minimum wage. Hovalt estimated the fiscal impact for the current year at roughly $1,273,000, with about $1 million from the general fund and the remainder spread across sanitation, wastewater, airport and HR/safety funds. The raises take effect Sept. 14 and will appear in employee paychecks beginning Oct. 3.

The commission also approved a professional services agreement with CDM Smith to complete a wastewater rate study and capital improvement plan. Hovalt said the fee is about $55,000 (approximately $58,000 including gross receipts tax) and that the work will be paid from wastewater fund reserves (Fund 10). The study will review the city’s asset management plan and model rates and capital needs across the wastewater system, which the city has not repriced since 2022.

Other new‑business approvals included a renewal of the city’s retail consulting services with Retail Strategies and the city’s continued participation in a newly issued opioids manufacturers settlement. City Attorney Morris told commissioners that the settlement’s dollar share for Clovis cannot be calculated until the national approval process is complete; he nonetheless recommended approving the local participation as required by earlier settlement paperwork.

The commission handled 17 items on the consent agenda in a single motion. Highlights include authorization to submit a New Mexico Department of Transportation grant application under 49 U.S.C. 5311 for FY 2027 transit assistance and to accept funds if awarded; letters of waiver for payments in lieu of taxes for the Clovis Housing and Redevelopment Authority; reappointments to boards and commissions; a budget transfer of $296,417.20 from general fund reserves to the police department for eForce CAD software shared with fire; and multiple grant applications for parks, trails and shelter upgrades (Regional Recreation Center quality of life grant up to $4.1 million; New Mexico Land and Water Conservation Fund up to $1 million; New Mexico Outdoor Trails Plus up to $100,000 with a $50,000 local match; and a New Mexico Bridal Welfare Program request up to $120,000). The consent motion, and the subsequent motion to approve the consent items, passed unanimously.

Votes at a glance (selected items) • Consent agenda (17 items, motion to place on consent and to approve): motion by Commissioner Jones, second Commissioner Garza; outcome: approved unanimously. Key consent items: NMDOT 49 U.S.C. 5311 grant application; PILT waiver letters for Clovis HRA; reappointments to Parks, Planning and Library boards; $296,417.20 budget transfer for eForce CAD; landfill equipment purchase; various state grant applications for parks, trails and shelter improvements; quarterly lodgers tax disbursements.

• Employee salary increases (new business item 1): motion by Commissioner Garza, second by Commissioner Jones; outcome: approved unanimously. Details: $1 hourly increase across the board; starting wage increase of $1 to $14.50 minimum; estimated fiscal impact $1,273,000 (approx. $1,000,000 general fund; $131,000 sanitation; $52,000 wastewater; $13,000 airport; $8,000 HR/safety). Effective Sept. 14, reflected in Oct. 3 paychecks.

• CDM Smith wastewater rate study and capital improvement plan (new business item 2): motion by Commissioner Jones, second Commissioner Garza; outcome: approved unanimously. Fee ~ $55,000 (about $58,000 with GRT); funded from wastewater cash reserves (Fund 10).

• Retail Strategies professional services agreement renewal (new business item 5): motion by Mayor Pro Tem Bryant, second Commissioner Jones; outcome: approved unanimously by roll call.

• National opioids manufacturers settlement participation (new business final item): motion by Commissioner Jones, second Commissioner Garza; outcome: approved unanimously. City Attorney Morris said the final dollar amount for Clovis will be set later in the national settlement process and depends on opt‑in rates among plaintiffs.

What it means: The pay increase is an immediate, across‑the‑board raise intended to boost hiring competitiveness and minimize wage‑pressure ripples if the state raises its minimum wage. The wastewater study will provide a data‑driven recommendation for future sewer rates and a capital plan tied to the city’s existing asset management effort. The consent agenda moves multiple grant applications and operational items forward without individual debate.

The commission recorded unanimous approval on each of these motions; most votes were by voice/acclamation because the digital voting system intermittently failed, and one item (Retail Strategies renewal) was confirmed by roll call.

Ending: The commission’s actions set near‑term operating and planning priorities: immediate support for employee pay, an engineering study to shape future wastewater rates and a continuing emphasis on securing outside grant funds for parks and infrastructure projects. City staff said they will return to the commission with the formally executed CDM Smith scope, any contract documents that arise from the opioid settlement program, and implementation details tied to the budget impacts of the pay adjustments.