Cibola County Commission adopts interim budget, approves bridge contracts and backs grant match

The Cibola County Board of County Commissioners on May 25 adopted an interim FY24 budget, approved contract awards for a County Road 18b bridge replacement, and authorized a 15% local match for a USDA Community Connect broadband grant application.

The board — Chairman Daniel Torrez and Commissioners Ralph Lucero, Martha Garcia, Christine Lowery and Robert Windhorst — met in Grants at 5:00 p.m. and moved through a consent-style agenda that included several motions and unanimous votes. Commissioner Robert Windhorst moved to adopt Resolution 2023-30, the FY24 interim budget; Commissioner Christine Lowery seconded and the motion passed 5-0. The board also approved Resolution 2023-27 (FY23 BAR #8) by the same margin.

Following a presentation on the USDA Community Connect grant by Donna Venable (CDEC Regulatory and Rates Manager) and Daniel Stokes (Telecommunications Manager), the commission voted 5-0 to provide a 15% local matching commitment for the county's grant application. County Manager Kate Fletcher and Finance Director Paul Ludi had the budget and finance report on file with the record.

Infrastructure spending featured prominently. The commission awarded IFB #2023-002 (pre-manufactured weathering steel bridge for County Road 18b) to True North Steel for $215,704.00 and IFB #2023-003 (general contractor for the County Road 18b bridge replacement) to Compass Engineering & Construction Services, LLC for $674,376.82; both awards were approved 5-0. The board also adopted Resolution 2023-28, supporting Cibola County's intent to apply to the New Mexico Department of Transportation Transportation Project Fund (TPF) for additional funding for the Moquino Road (CR-5) bridge and road improvements.

Public safety and corrections items included approval of a memorandum of understanding between the Cibola County DWI Program and the 13th Judicial District Adult Treatment Court and Drug Court (approved 5-0) and approval, with agreed changes, of an intergovernmental agreement with the Pueblo of Acoma to house inmates (approved 5-0).

Two requisitions over $20,000 were approved: $29,427.84 to Motorola to move equipment to the public safety building/dispatch and $31,826.81 to Summit for upgrades and replacements to the county's aging CCTV/IT system.

The board convened an executive session at 6:42 p.m. under New Mexico Statutes §10-15-1 to discuss pending or threatened litigation, real property matters (including the Bluewater Village Community Center and the former court/county complex at 515 W. High Street in Grants), personnel matters and other authorized topics. The board returned to open session at 7:28 p.m., stating no final action was taken in closed session. After returning the board took no action on Resolution 2023-29 to transfer the Bluewater Community Center to the Bluewater and Sanitation District but directed staff to publish the county-owned property at 515 W. High Street.

The meeting concluded with routine announcements — county offices closed May 29 for Memorial Day and the next regular meeting scheduled for June 22, 2023 — and adjournment at 7:30 p.m.

Votes at a glance

- Motion to approve agenda: Moved by Commissioner Ralph Lucero; seconded by Commissioner Christine Lowery — outcome: approved 5-0 (SEG 001). - Minutes (4/27/2023): Moved by Commissioner Robert Windhorst; seconded by Commissioner Martha Garcia — approved 5-0 (SEG 001). - 15% match for USDA Community Connect grant: Moved by Commissioner Ralph Lucero; seconded by Commissioner Robert Windhorst — approved 5-0 (SEG 002). - Resolution 2023-30 (FY24 interim budget): Moved by Commissioner Robert Windhorst; seconded by Commissioner Christine Lowery — adopted 5-0 (SEG 002). - Resolution 2023-27 (FY23 BAR #8): Moved by Commissioner Robert Windhorst; seconded by Commissioner Ralph Lucero — approved 5-0 (SEG 002). - IFB #2023-002 (bridge steel): Award to True North Steel, $215,704.00 — Moved by Commissioner Ralph Lucero; seconded by Commissioner Robert Windhorst — approved 5-0 (SEG 002). - IFB #2023-003 (bridge contractor): Award to Compass Engineering & Construction Services, LLC, $674,376.82 — Moved by Commissioner Ralph Lucero; seconded by Commissioner Robert Windhorst — approved 5-0 (SEG 002). - MOU: Cibola County DWI Program & 13th Judicial District Adult Treatment Court and Drug Court — approved 5-0 (SEG 002). - IGA with Pueblo of Acoma for inmate housing (with agreed changes) — approved 5-0 (SEG 002). - Resolution 2023-28 supporting NMDOT TPF application for Moquino Road (CR-5) — approved 5-0 (SEG 002). - Requisitions over $20,000: Motorola $29,427.84; Summit $31,826.81 — approved 5-0 (SEG 002). - Executive session convened for litigation, real property, personnel; returned stating no final action taken (SEG 003). - Resolution 2023-29 (transfer of Bluewater Community Center): No action taken (SEG 003). - Direction to staff to publish 515 W. High Street property: Moved by Commissioner Robert Windhorst; seconded by Commissioner Christine Lowery — approved 5-0 (SEG 003).

What to watch next

- Whether the county submits a formal application to NMDOT for Transportation Project Fund support for Moquino Road improvements and whether the USDA Community Connect grant is funded; both will have budget implications if awarded.

Sources: Meeting transcript and reports on file with the Cibola County Commission (May 25, 2023).