Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Administration And Operations topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Eunice council approves emergency plan, procurement policy and IPRA coordinator; tables Waterworth contract
Summary
The Eunice City Council on March 9 approved an all-hazards emergency operations plan, a procurement and P-card policy, an MOA with Hobbs for animal care, and added an IPRA coordinator position. The council tabled a Waterworth contract and postponed a hiring-policy vote.
EUNICE, N.M. — The Eunice City Council on March 9, 2026 approved several administrative resolutions intended to strengthen emergency planning, procurement controls and records management while tabling a proposed contract for utility-rate services.
By unanimous roll call, the council adopted Resolution No. 3533, the City of Eunice All-Hazard Emergency Operations Plan. Councilors said the plan clarifies roles for preventing, responding to and recovering from disasters and improves coordination with county and state partners.
The council also approved Resolution No. 3536, establishing a Procurement and Purchasing Card (P-Card) Policy to align purchasing with the New Mexico Procurement Code and to strengthen internal controls. Council members said the policy is intended to improve transparency and fiscal responsibility for routine purchases.
Council approved Resolution No. 3534, a Memorandum of Agreement with the City of Hobbs to house and care for seized dogs and cats at the Hobbs Animal Adoption Center. Under the MOA Eunice will transport animals to Hobbs and pay for care; Hobbs will provide housing and medical attention.
Councilors added a dedicated IPRA (Inspection of Public Records Act) Coordinator/Administrator position by motion of Councilor Edward Charo, seconded by Councilor Curtis Rouse. The council said the coordinator will centralize public-records processing, help meet statutory deadlines and reduce the risk of improper disclosure of sensitive law-enforcement material.
Two agenda items were postponed or tabled: Council tabled Resolution No. 3535, entering a contract with Waterworth, after staff said a representative was unable to join by Zoom and the vendor needed to answer technical questions. Council also postponed Resolution No. 3532 (Hiring, Recruitment, Volunteer/Seasonal Staffing Policy) to allow language changes requested by councilors.
Votes at a glance (roll-call tallies as read into the record): - Consent agenda (minutes, Feb. 23, 2026): motion by Councilor Gustavo Castaneda, second by Councilor Erica Jones — APPROVED (Curtis Rouse Yes; Edward Charo Yes; Steve Almager Yes; Ty Chanley Yes; Roxie Luster Yes; Erica Jones Yes; Gustavo Castaneda Yes; Sheryl Allen Yes). - Resolution No. 3531 (support Annual Youth Fishing Derby): motion by Councilor Erica Jones, second by Councilor Steve Almager — APPROVED (all councilors recorded Yes). - Resolution No. 3533 (Emergency Operations Plan): motion by Councilor Curtis Rouse — APPROVED (all councilors recorded Yes). - Resolution No. 3536 (Procurement Policy): motion by Councilor Erica Jones, second by Councilor Gustavo Castaneda — APPROVED (all councilors recorded Yes). - Resolution No. 3534 (MOA with Hobbs): motion by Councilor Gustavo Castaneda, second by Councilor Ty Chanley — APPROVED (all councilors recorded Yes). - IPRA Coordinator position: motion by Councilor Edward Charo, second by Councilor Curtis Rouse — APPROVED (all councilors recorded Yes). - Resolution No. 3535 (enter contract with Waterworth): TABLED (requested by staff; no vote to adopt). - Resolution No. 3532 (Hiring Policy): POSTPONED (motion by Councilor Steve Almager, second by Councilor Gustavo Castaneda).
During public comment related to Resolution 3531, Jesse Gregson and a child speaker identified as Swayzee Gregson asked the city to pay $4,206.25 to stock fish for the Kennedy Woods Memorial Youth Fishing Derby and to close the lake March 12–14 for the event; Jesse said prizes are privately funded. City Clerk Candelaria Brito accepted a copy of the speaker’s letter for the minutes and the council approved the supporting resolution clarifying anti-donation compliance under Article IX, Section 14 of the New Mexico Constitution.
Manager Cummins also presented FY2027 proposed expenses (after an initial round of cuts) and Finance Director Rocio Garcia said departmental quarter reports and end-of-March forecasts will be provided to council for review. No final budget action was taken at the March 9 meeting.
The meeting adjourned at 8:13 p.m.
