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Eastern Plains COG outlines regional services, warns of state DOT road‑fund cuts
Summary
Sandy Chancey, executive director of Eastern Plains Council of Governments, updated the commission on FY25 regional services (transportation planning, grant administration, CDBG work), cited a FY24 audit unmodified opinion, and warned that the state DOT budget was reduced by $60 million, likely constraining road funding.
Sandy Chancey, executive director of the Eastern Plains Council of Governments (EPCOG), presented an abbreviated FY25 annual report and described services the COG provides to Curry County and neighboring counties, including transportation planning, economic development support, grant and technical assistance, and regional planning.
"We are your federally recognized economic development district under EDA," Chancey said, summarizing regional programs that help communities apply for road funding, develop ICIPs and pursue CDBG and other grant opportunities. She noted the COG administers a Curry County CDBG grant and provides fiscal-agent services at times for smaller entities.
Chancey reported the COG received an unmodified FY24 audit and an annual budget of $1,226,881; she estimated a return on investment for member dues of more than $126 million in assistance brought into the region. She also warned that the final state budget (House Bill 2) had removed $60 million from the New Mexico Department of Transportation budget, curtailing road funding requests until the state corrects that shortfall.
Commissioners thanked Chancey for the work and asked about legislative priorities and how the COG coordinates capital outlay and RTPO project submissions; Chancey described ongoing coordination with district offices and neighboring COGs.
The presentation was received; commissioners had follow-up discussion about local road funding shortfalls and potential legislative advocacy.
