Joe Lutz
daily press staff
Thursday’s regular meeting of the Grant County Commission included the adoption of the ordinance, the drafting of six proclamations, hearings from legislators and three potential hospital trustees, and hearings of reports from hospitals, the Sheriff’s Department and the Treasurer. , a long list of agenda items was submitted in a relatively short time. We will consider seven new business items and adopt four agreements and four resolutions.
The ordinance paved the way for future wireless infrastructure development by establishing a review process for the construction of new telecommunications facilities. As discussed at previous meetings, hearings on the ordinance started and ended in seconds, no one testified, and no discussion by the commissioner.
The committee also heard from several candidates for the new board of directors of the Gila Regional Medical Center.
Rancher Patricia McIntyre, who moved to Grant County in 1993, detailed her background in nursing, especially critical care, and her work in nursing education at Western New Mexico University.
“We came to the conclusion that all care is important, not just when a patient is critically ill,” she said. .”
She said this is a value that she makes sure to pass on to her students.
Applicant John Robert “Bob” McMullen opened his remarks by stating that he was impressed with McIntyre, and said that if it came down to two people for a single position, she should be chosen. continued to talk about his career as an orderly physician’s assistant in the medical field, spending years in rural health care in Texas and Maine, where he lived for 10 years and was the only health care provider on a small island. He then trained as a Physician Assistant in Arizona, where he established a free clinic. He is working on his PA education at an Arizona school online from his home in Silver City, giving him free time to serve on the board.
Applicant Simon Wheaton Smith said his great-grandfather moved to the area in the 1890s. His medical-related experience included providing air transportation for doctors and patients, where he became a certified inspector, advocating for better bloodborne pathogen preparations after avoiding nasty accidents. said to have succeeded in
His government experience includes his current service as Vice Chair of the Silver City Planning and Zoning Commission, and previous work as a Town Councilor, Town Clerk, and Public Works Commissioner. He has also published an area his COVID report for the past 18 months and says this will be the last month of the report.
Committee chair Chris Pons announced that the committee would hold a special meeting on April 25 to discuss the hospital board presentations and candidates, but did not promise a decision would be made at that time. I didn’t.
Hospital staff also submitted monthly reports to the committee, and Chief Financial Officer Patrick Banks reported 109 days of cash on hand in February. This is up from his 104 days last month, but he hasn’t returned to his 119 days level last year. With his down to 100 days in recent months and increased contract costs, the hospital is now out of that quandary. He also praised the hospital’s $30,000 operating profit.
“Positive operating margins are a key factor in making sure we have a hospital here indefinitely,” Banks said.
Interim CEO Margie Molitor said the hospital’s recent joint committee investigation went well, but noted several shortcomings, with a May 19 deadline to post a fix plan. said it is day. The goal of reducing reliance on traveling nurses and replacing retired doctors.
Sheriff Raul Villanueva reported six robberies and 20 domestic disturbances last month, which he said was appropriate for this time of year last year. He said the agency continues its partnership with the U.S. Border Patrol under Operation Stonegarden and has seen a recent increase in foreigners arrested around NM 26 — including for organized trafficking. -Human Trafficking and Weapons.
District 2 Commissioner Eloy Medina asked about contingency plans for declining staff levels within the department. Villanueva replied that we should be dropped off for the 8am-5pm service instead of the 24 hour service if needed, but that would be a last resort. He said 11 positions were vacant when he arrived at the division earlier this year, and he has since opened four more.
County Treasurer Patrick Cohn reports uncollected taxes totaling $8,668,800.48 and is considering ways to collect from trailer owners who moved home without obtaining the necessary permits. said.
“This is a lot of uncollected taxes that can do a lot in the community,” said District 3 Commissioner Alicia Edwards. “This high is shocking, especially when we are talking about shortages in law enforcement and jails,” she said. [and] Not paying competitive salaries. “
Cohn provided Edwards with data on the percentage of various taxes that were not collected and agreed to work toward collection. According to him, the total amount of arrears on the mobile home is about $130,000.
After making arrangements for moving the Lake Roberts right-of-way and approving the county courthouse’s needs assessment and traffic survey, the commission reached several agreements with the recommendations of the sheriff’s office. One mutual aid agreement with Doña Ana County to work together as part of Operation Stone Garden and to allow the county access to SWAT teams as needed.
The final major item on the agenda was a loan agreement to build a fire station for the Pinos Altos Fire Station in the Dos Grigos district. County General Services Director Randy Villa and Pinos Altos Fire Chief Ed Downard assured the commission that a new station was needed due to the area’s remote location and rugged roads, and lived nearby. He said existing staff could be placed there.
County manager Charlene Webb assured commissioners during Tuesday’s work session that the loan would be repaid through state funds regardless of the level of use of the new fire station.
Several commissioners have reportedly raised concerns about equitable access to riverside camps for Grant County residents caused by the closure and uncertain fate of Grapevine Campground, U.S. Senator Martin・He stated that he had a discussion with Heinrich.
District 5 Commissioner Harry Brown announced that the Forest Service will hold a public meeting on May 1 from 4-7 p.m. at the Grant County Veterans Memorial Business and Conference Center to discuss the future of Grapevine.
“We are working hard to protect. [a river] It won’t be accessible or usable any time soon,” lamented Ponce. “It’s heartbreaking for me.”
The proclamation was endorsed on Toddler Day, Public Safety Telegraph Week, Fair Housing Month, Correctional Officers Week, School Lunch Hero Day, and the Martin Pearson and Alex Olsen Memorial Tour of Gila. A tour of Jack Brennan, the organizer of Gila Monster.
Democratic 28th District State Senator Siah Correa Hemphill also addressed the committee about her job in Santa Fe.
“We had a very busy 60-day session,” she said. “We passed her historic $9.5 billion budget.As a member of the Finance Committee, I am very proud to have maintained a reserve of 30%. We have made some progress towards diversifying the
Of the 211 bills signed, one of Correa Hemphill’s biggest efforts is to provide local government councils with $600,000 over four years to give applicants access to Arizona Water’s New Mexico Unit Fund. to provide technical support, water project management, and coordination to The Settlement Act, reserved for local water projects, is difficult to access due to the state’s complex and technical application process.
She also supported the Blackfire Recovery Act, which allocated $2 million to repair the damage caused by the black fires and subsequent floods, the Local Health Care Provisions Fund, the new statewide requirement for universal school meals, and mental health. , stressed medical expenses that require insurance to cover. Effective prostheses, and an education bill to fund schools in high need and a national history day in schools.
Congress also spent $400 million on capital spending and $600 million on junior funds. These budgets are part of the budget that each legislator allocates to projects in their respective districts. Of these funds, Correa Hemphill said $1 million went to build a mental health crisis intervention center at the county’s Tu Casa Center, $325,000 to improve telecommunications at the Hilla Regional Medical Center, and $75,000 to the Hilla Community Center. $500,000 has been allocated to law enforcement agencies. Vehicles and security systems, approximately $32,000 for Mimbres Medical Center vehicles and $75,000 for wastewater treatment. Correa Hemphill said he used a portion of his junior quota of $100,000 to tour Gila and $100,000 to expand a healthy meal distribution program.
To contact Jo Lutz: [email protected]