Cibola County Commission approves resolutions, accepts $2M bridge award and directs staff to market county property
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Summary
At its Oct. 26 meeting the Cibola County Commission unanimously approved a package of financial resolutions and requisitions, accepted an additional $2,000,000 for the Moquino Llano Bridge through an NMDOT program, and directed staff to publish interest in county-owned property at 515 W. High Street.
The Cibola County Board of County Commissioners on Oct. 26 unanimously approved multiple fiscal and administrative measures, accepted additional state transportation funding for a bridge project and directed staff to solicit interest in county-owned property.
Chairman Daniel Torrez presided over the meeting, which began at 5:00 p.m. and recorded 1st Vice Chairman Martha Garcia as absent. Commissioners Christine Lowery, Robert Windhorst and Ralph Lucero voted with the chair on actions taken during the session.
The commission approved routine and fiscal items by unanimous votes, including Resolution 2023-47 (FY24 BAR 2) and Resolution 2023-55 (first quarter financial report). Budget Analyst Gloria Pargas and Finance Director Paul Ludi filed the budget and finance report; Thomas Whelan, chief executive officer of Cibola General Hospital, presented the hospital’s annual report and provided an update to the board.
The commission approved Resolution 2023-50 to participate in the NMDOT-administered Transportation Project Fund for County Project 5 (Moquino Llano Bridge), accepting an additional $2,000,000 award. Commissioner Ralph Lucero moved the measure; Commissioner Robert Windhorst seconded and the motion carried 4-0.
Commissioners also approved several requisitions and purchases over $20,000, including network engineering services ($33,700), computer equipment ($35,311.90), firearms and ammunition for the sheriff’s office ($26,635.50), radio equipment ($53,488.44), safety equipment for Laguna Fire Department ($45,276.00) and a 2024 brush truck (2024 Chevy Silverado 5500 MD) priced at $171,682. All procurement motions passed unanimously.
The board approved three LGRF CO‑OP grant agreement extensions (controls L600208, L600214 and L600216) and passed Resolution 23-54 supporting the New Mexico Counties 2024 legislative priorities after adding language on the floor. The commission also approved Resolution 23-56 amending an appointment to the Board of Registration.
The commission voted to enter an executive session at 6:59 p.m. under New Mexico Statutes § 10‑15‑1 to discuss pending or threatened litigation, real property (specifically 515 W. High Street), personnel matters and other limited topics. The body returned to open session at 7:15 p.m., stating no final action was taken in closed session.
Immediately after returning to open session the commission, on a 4-0 vote (mover: Commissioner Ralph Lucero; second: Commissioner Christine Lowery), directed staff to publish and solicit interest in the county-owned property located at 515 W. High Street in Grants, N.M.
The meeting concluded with announcements that county offices would be closed Nov. 10 in observance of Veterans Day and that the next regular commission meeting would take place Nov. 16 at 5:00 p.m. The meeting adjourned at 7:17 p.m.
Votes at a glance: Resolution 2023-47 (FY24 BAR 2) — approved 4-0; Resolution 2023-55 (1st Quarter Financial Report) — approved 4-0; Resolution 2023-48 (election worker compensation) — approved 4-0; Resolution 2023-49 (2024 holiday schedule) — approved 4-0; Resolution 2023-50 (NMDOT Transportation Project Fund participation, Moquino Llano Bridge, +$2,000,000) — approved 4-0; Resolutions 23-51/23-52/23-53 (LGRF CO‑OP extensions) — approved 4-0; Resolution 23-54 (support for NM Counties 2024 legislative priorities) — approved 4-0; Resolution 23-56 (Board of Registration appointment amendment) — approved 4-0; Requisitions over $20,000 (listed in minutes) — approved 4-0.
The commission filed the budget and hospital reports with the clerk and approved memoranda of agreement to share medical director services through the University of New Mexico Department of Emergency Medicine with the City of Grants and the Village of Milan; the Village MOA payment was amended on the floor from $1,000 to $1,500 before approval.