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Clovis will act as fiscal agent for Food Bank mobile produce truck application
Summary
The commission unanimously agreed to serve as fiscal agent for the Food Bank of Eastern New Mexico's application for a custom refrigerated 'Mobile Mercado' food truck, which has a $295,000 price tag and may require a 25–50% local match.
The Clovis City Commission voted unanimously to serve as fiscal agent for the Food Bank of Eastern New Mexico's application to secure state and federal matching funds for a custom refrigerated mobile produce truck, a project the food bank calls "Mobile Mercado."
Diana Sprague, executive director of the Food Bank of Eastern New Mexico, told the commission the project cost is $295,000 and that a grant award would likely require a 25% to 50% funding match. "The total project cost for Mobile Mercado ... is $295,000," Sprague said, and she told commissioners that as a nonprofit the food bank was not eligible to apply directly for some state funding and therefore sought a municipal fiscal agent.
City staff and commissioners discussed administrative obligations and reporting when the city serves as fiscal agent. City Manager Justin Hovalt said acting as fiscal agent is a routine role but "does come with additional efforts" including procurement compliance and grant reporting. Leanne, the city grants administrator, said reporting burden varies by grant and can range from a single final report to repeated filings depending on grant terms.
Commissioners asked how the truck would be used. Sprague said the truck is meant to expand access to fresh produce across eastern New Mexico and locally—to serve mobile pop-ups at apartment complexes, neighborhoods and other locations where produce is needed quickly. She said the food bank distributes roughly 2 million pounds of food annually, with 500,000–600,000 pounds of that typically fresh produce.
Commissioner Casaus moved to approve the city serving as fiscal agent; Mayor Pro Tem Bryant seconded. The motion carried by voice vote with no opposition.
City staff said the vehicle, if funded, would be an asset titled to the City of Clovis and that the food bank would be responsible for project sustainability and any costs outside the grant. Staff also said any required memoranda of understanding and insurance certificates would be prepared before use and that the city has experience holding capital assets for nonprofit partners in similar arrangements.
