Clovis mayor highlights water security, new airport terminal and regional behavioral health center in State of the City address

The mayor of Clovis (name not specified) delivered a State of the City address focusing on water security, infrastructure projects, health care and economic development, and said the city’s FY 2025 budget includes $19,000,000 in grant funding to support capital projects.

The mayor framed water security as the most urgent long-term challenge, saying the community currently depends on groundwater from the Ogallala Aquifer and must shift to a “portfolio” of water sources. He summarized three tactics the city is using: expanded reclaimed-water (effluent) reuse, participation in regional conservation led by the Oglala Land and Water Conservancy (OLWC), and connection to surface water through the Eastern New Mexico Water Utility Authority’s Ute pipeline.

The address included progress updates on several multi‑year projects. The mayor said the city will break ground in June on the Horizon Regional Behavioral Health Center, a crisis triage facility that will provide 23‑hour observation stations and inpatient beds up to 14 days and will be operated by Community Bridges. He also noted a $26,000,000 Clovis Regional Airport terminal project that began last fall and is expected to open in 2026; the new terminal will include two gates and other improvements supported by FAA and state aviation grants.

On public safety, the mayor praised the Clovis Police Department and noted the recent return of the school resource officer program, which the city commission approved last Thursday (vote tally not specified). He also described expanded Public Safety Aide roles, adoption of license-plate recognition technology and Mobile Crisis Response as tools the department is using. The mayor welcomed Trevor Throne as the new police chief following the retirement of Roy Rice, and he highlighted Clovis Fire Department staffing and grant-supported EMS positions.

The mayor said health-care capacity improved in 2024 at Plains Regional Medical Center (PRMC), which he said provided more than 9,800 inpatient services, performed over 2,700 surgeries and delivered 733 babies in the year cited. PRMC has added cardiology and other specialty services, telemedicine offerings and plans for added exam rooms to expand OB/GYN capacity.

Economic development, downtown revitalization and housing were also featured. The mayor said private investment has exceeded $6,000,000 in downtown building renovations over the past two years and described the "Great Blocks" Main Street project (sidewalks, decorative lighting, landscaping and utilities) that aims to increase walkability and support new retail. He said 251 new business registrations and 16 new construction permits accounting for $114,000,000 in residential and commercial construction were reported for the period cited. The commission recently adopted an affordable housing plan to encourage more housing stock.

On community and military partnerships, the mayor thanked Cannon Air Force Base and its leadership, including representatives from the 27th Special Operations Wing, and described an Armed Forces Support Committee formed to coordinate local support. He said the committee applied for a Readiness Review Grant from the Office of Local Defense Community Cooperation (OLDCC) to identify infrastructure and quality‑of‑life investments that support the base.

The mayor closed by reiterating a vision for growth, an emphasis on partnerships and a request for continued community engagement. He characterized Clovis’ outlook as optimistic while warning that long‑term water scarcity requires the city’s sustained attention.