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Lea County commissioners approve a slate of funding awards and outside-agency contracts
Summary
The Lea County Board of County Commissioners unanimously approved multiple resolutions on April 23, 2026 to fund outside agencies, RFP awards for indigent care and economic development, and contracts tied to the 2026 Lea County Fair and Rodeo, with staff noting grant leverage for several projects.
Lea County commissioners approved a package of funding and contract awards at their April 23 regular meeting, advancing outside-agency support, RFP-based service contracts and fair-related agreements.
Assistant County Manager Kelly Livingston Dunford presented several items the board approved by voice vote. The board renewed government funding to Lea County Cooperative Extension Services, New Mexico State University, the Lea Soil and Water Conservation District and U.S. Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services for fiscal year 2026–27, a program Dunford said the county historically funds as roughly one-third of the Extension budget. The resolution passed after a motion and second.
The board approved awards from RFP No. 72526 for community-wide care and maintenance of the sick and indigent — covering food, behavioral health, protective services and diagnostic testing — with the Evaluation Committee’s recommended allocations presented by Dunford. Commissioners also approved RFP No. 82526, which staff said will provide $910,000 to support county economic development services for FY 2026–27.
Several contracts tied to the 2026 Lea County Fair and Rodeo were approved. Wyatt Duncan, programs director, summarized award recommendations: HD Veterinary Services LLC to provide on-site veterinary services for livestock and rodeo events (estimated cost $15,400, roughly a $400 increase over the previous year) and a four-year contract with Superior Security Services LLC to provide night patrols, gate staffing and rovers at an hourly rate of $48 per security officer. Commissioners noted the multi‑year contracting strategy was intended to lock in rates and manage costs.
Interim Finance Director Anthony Dobbs also presented Budget Adjustment No. 3, detailing reallocations for salaries, hail damage repairs, recruitment, an ADA-compliance audio-visual accessory (CivicPlus/AudioEye) and the roof repair item discussed later in the meeting; Dobbs said the adjustment reflects increased revenues and expenditures of roughly 1.9% with no net change to county cash balances. The board voted to adopt the budget adjustment.
Why it matters: The approvals maintain county support for established public-service partners, allocate roughly $1.5 million in recommended outside-agency and program funding across multiple RFPs, and lock in contracts for the county’s marquee summer event. Several projects presented to the board will be supplemented by federal and state grants, county staff said, lowering Lea County’s net outlay on major capital items such as airport projects.
What’s next: Staff will execute the contracts and bring follow-up materials back to the board as required by grant agreements and procurement rules. For RFPs and awards, the county will publish final contract details in procurement records and track vendor performance in the next fiscal year.
