Roosevelt County approves $365,350 jury room renovation contract and approves part-time fairgrounds manager position

Roosevelt County commissioners on March 3 voted to award ITB 2025-01 for the jury deliberation room renovation to EXP New Mexico LLC for $365,350 and approved organizational changes that move the finance administrator under the county manager and create a part-time fairgrounds manager position.

Special Programs Coordinator Carla Weems presented the low bid and asked the commission to approve the award to EXP New Mexico LLC for $365,350. Commissioner Roy Lee Criswell moved to approve the award; Commissioner Fabian Munoz seconded the motion and it passed 4-0. Separately, Human Resources Coordinator Mary Orozco outlined proposed organizational-chart changes, including the part-time fairgrounds manager role reporting to County Manager Meadow Forget; the commission approved the organizational chart changes by unanimous vote.

Community member Wes Weems also told commissioners the Murray Jeffries Stage at the fairgrounds slab needs repairs to ensure performer safety and provided a quote of $1,200–$1,300; the quote was given to the county manager. Commissioners discussed the scope for electrical and water hookups at the fairgrounds; Special Programs Coordinator Weems said the county needs an architect-provided scope of work before publishing an invitation to bid. Commissioner Malin Parker asked that the newly created fairgrounds manager conduct a walk-through to identify needed upgrades; County Attorney Randall Van Vleck reminded the commission that a quorum would require Open Meetings Act notice and an agenda if multiple commissioners attend.

The contract award and organizational changes are procedural approvals; the commission did not discuss funding sources for the jury-room renovation in detail at the March 3 meeting.