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Ruidoso Downs council approves 10‑year lease renewal with Lincoln County for senior center
Summary
The council approved a county‑backed 10‑year renewal of the cooperative lease for the Ruidoso Downs Senior Center, preserving eligibility for county capital outlays and continuing meals and services provided by Lincoln County Senior Services.
The Ruidoso Downs City Council voted Feb. 24 to approve a renewal of the cooperative agreement and lease that allows Lincoln County to operate the Ruidoso Downs Senior Center in a city facility.
The council accepted the county‑approved 10‑year lease after the city attorney, John Underwood, told the board the contract "provides for an exception within the accounting rules" because the county receives federal funding. Underwood advised, "I think, legally, we're good to go with the contract that the county has approved and sent to us." The motion passed by voice vote.
Renee Montes, program director for Lincoln County Senior Services, told the council the county staffs five centers across the county and provides a mixture of federal, state, county and program income to fund operations. Montes said the county has invested in capital improvements at the Ruidoso Downs site (she cited about $125,796 in past improvements) and argued a multi‑year lease is necessary for the county to remain eligible for capital‑outlay funding. She said the program is "not a fully funded program federally" and described the funding mix as federal, state, county and program income.
Councilors pressed for transparency about costs and who pays for what. Montes said the county pays utilities such as electricity and gas and provides most equipment and insurance, while the city covers water, sewer and trash. One councilor quoted a 10‑year city cost figure of $52,480 in the discussion. Montes described vandalism and building maintenance needs — including doors and refrigeration — and said county staff would pursue capital outlay for significant repairs.
Council members and attendees emphasized the senior center's community value: Montes said the county provides home‑delivered and congregate meals in the Ruidoso Downs area and that the center draws volunteers and serves veterans and older residents. Multiple councilors characterized the center as a major community resource and urged continued support.
The council vote approved the county's 10‑year lease as submitted to the city; the council recorded the motion as carried. The county and center staff said they would remain available to answer follow‑up questions and coordinate any next steps required by the agreement or state funds.
