Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Commission Votes topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Lea County commission approves a slate of budget, infrastructure and administrative actions
Summary
In a largely unanimous session, the commission approved multiple discretionary grants, road contracts, airport subsidy extension, procurement actions, adoption of an emergency operations plan, travel authorizations, a land option agreement, and the appointment of an interim finance director.
At its Nov. 2 meeting, the Lea County Board of Commissioners voted on a broad package of motions that included discretionary funding for municipalities, road construction contracts, an airport subsidy extension, procurement awards, adoption of an emergency operations plan and a personnel appointment.
Key votes and outcomes:
- Discretionary appropriations: commissioners approved a set of district discretionary allocations including $150,000 to the Bridal Adoption Center (Hobbs) for shade canopies, new fencing and turf; $60,000 to complete Lovington ballfields; $10,000 for a Lovington bucket truck; $21,000 for a digital sign at Lano Elementary School; and $170,000 to the Town of Tatum to assist with purchasing an ambulance. Each motion was moved, seconded and approved by roll call.
- Airport subsidy and service extension: the commission approved allocating an additional $760,000 toward a two‑year revenue guarantee amendment with the City of Hobbs to extend JSX flights to Dallas and increase weekly flights, a condition tied to an awarded NMDOT RAISE grant.
- Road and maintenance contracts: the commission approved task orders for road construction and overlay work: Constructors Inc. for 2.82 miles of Maljimar Road ($871,502); Ramirez & Sons for 12.2 miles of Maljimar Road (about $2,930,105); and Ramirez & Sons for 5.55 miles of West Stiles Road (about $2,350,000). Commissioners discussed phasing work in pieces to avoid excessively long construction zones.
- Procurement and capital items: the board approved an HVAC maintenance contract award to Honeywell (result of RFP), a carnival ride RFP award for the 2026 fair, and Fair & PRCA Rodeo artist fee recommendations (roughly $1.1 million recommended). The commission also approved change order #10 with Lascaux Construction for the detention center shower and dishwashing upgrade ($250,437).
- Emergency operations plan: commissioners adopted an updated all‑hazard emergency operations plan presented by public safety staff; the document includes an agricultural annex and is available for municipalities to adopt.
- Planning actions: the board approved a block length variance and several right‑of‑way dedications related to the Ozro Subdivision and other plats previously approved by the planning board and cities.
- Budget adjustment and finance appointment: commissioners approved budget adjustment #1 (allocations across departments including airline subsidy, IT, facilities and grant adjustments) and, following a closed session, voted to appoint Anthony Dobbs as interim finance director.
- Land option agreement: the commission approved an option/purchase agreement with Excelsior Hobbs Power LLC for approximately 1,920 acres in central Lea County; terms include option payments of $45,000 quarterly up to three years, with half of the option fee applied to purchase if exercised, and contingencies including State Board of Finance approval.
All listed motions were recorded as moved, seconded and approved in roll‑call votes where recorded; no dissenting votes were recorded in the meeting transcript.
