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Eddy County outlines top projects for 2028'032 ICIP, including McDonald Ridge Road and courthouse upgrades

Eddy County Board of Commissioners · May 5, 2026
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Summary

County staff reviewed the proposed 2028'032 Infrastructure Capital Improvement Plan, highlighting projects such as courthouse HVAC and interior work, a consolidated dispatch center, an $11 million McDonald Ridge Road replacement, detention medical-unit equipment and a proposed North Regional Fire Station; staff said projects could be eligible for state capital outlay funding.

County staff presented the draft 2028'032 Infrastructure Capital Improvement Plan and walked commissioners through top projects and rationale for keeping certain items in the ICIP to maintain eligibility for state funding.

Key projects noted: - Courthouse HVAC: the current boiler-chiller system is aging, inefficient and increasingly costly to maintain; staff are evaluating whether to repair, retrofit or replace the system and will base recommendations on life-cycle cost analysis. - Courthouse interior renovations: tied to the recently reissued exterior RFP, interior work would address structural cracking, windows, carpet and lighting to improve safety and accessibility. - Consolidated dispatch center: planning funding ($1,000,000 shown in the state budget) remains listed to support a county/Artesia/Carlsbad regional dispatch project; staff said details on agreements remain to be worked out. - McDonald Ridge Road replacement: proposed as an $11 million connector and bridge between US 285 and NM 128; staff said a design would strengthen competitiveness for state capital funding. - Detention medical unit and equipment: the new detention design includes 16 intake beds, negative-pressure rooms and specialized beds (including for pregnant detainees); staff noted equipment costs and capital outlay hopes to support the plan. - North Regional Fire Station and training grounds improvements: projects intended to expand response capacity and training facilities; part of the ICIP conversation alongside partnerships with local colleges for training.

Staff recommended retaining these projects on the ICIP so the county remains eligible for capital outlay funding and will return to the board for action after further refinement and department head input.