Board adopts debarment procedures under New Mexico procurement code after forensic-audit trigger

Director of finance Dr. Rainer Martin presented a proposed debarment-procedure workflow designed to protect procurement integrity and to streamline debarment and suspension steps for the district in alignment with the New Mexico procurement code. The flowchart and articles (purpose, authority, grounds, investigation, hearings, board decision and sanctions) were discussed and tied to an underlying forensic audit that prompted staff review.

Dr. Martin said the forensic audit was the trigger for pursuing debarment analysis, described the CFO—s role in compiling a legally sound memo and records, and explained legal counsel would review the work before the board considered action. After board discussion and an unsuccessful motion to table, the board voted to approve the department procedures. The roll call recorded one abstention; staff were asked to update vendor lists and consider a separate review of existing vendor metrics outside the debarment procedure discussion.