Board of County Commissioners - Regular Meeting

Okay, we're gonna call this meeting to order Thank you all for being here We are going to start with an invocation from Commissioner Kane and followed by a pledge from some amazing 4-H students. So Commissioner Cain, whenever you're ready.

We will stand and let's pray. Father, we thank you for this day. We thank you for each one in this room and for what they Do to keep the county running, the community. Got a group of 4-H'ers here as well, Lord. Just thank you for each one here. Just ask that as we go through this meeting today, Lord, and through the rest of the day and the rest of this week, that the things that we say and do are pleasing to you and are beneficial to the county and those around us, Lord. We just thank you for everything you do for us. In your name we pray. Amen.

All right. And so I have four 4-H people here. If y'all wouldn't mind coming up. And if you would tell us who you are, what school you go to, and what grade you're in. What else? Is there anything else you want to do? Do you want to perform any kind of acts or dances or anything like that?

That's for later.

Okay, we'll do it later. Whenever you're ready, tell us who you are and what grade you're in and where you go to school.

My name is Jacob Clark. I'm in ninth grade and I go to school at Texaco.

My name is Robin Porter. I'm 17 years old and I'm homeschooled.

My name is Taylin Wood. I am in the ninth grade and I'm homeschooled.

I'm Kyle Wood. I go to Grady High School and I'm now a senior.

Awesome. Well, thank you all so much for being here. And now we're going to do the Pledge of Allegiance, the state flag, and then we have one more going after that. Is that right? Okay, I don't know who's going to join in, but if anybody knows it, I encourage them to join in. So whenever you're ready, lead us to the pledge, and we'll all join in with you.

I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. I salute the flag of the state of New Mexico, the Z symbol of perfect friendship among United States. I pledge my head to clear thinking, my heart to greater loyalty, my hands for larger service, my health for better living, for my club, my community, my country, and my world.

I love it. That made that that much more special. Thank you all so much for doing that. All right, I'm going to come down there and pass out a couple certificates and give you all some coins here.

I didn't either. I never was a farmer. You never was a farmer. I'm not supposed to be a farmer. What?

Just not a future farmer.

No.

You're not a future farmer. You're not.

Thank you, sir.

Okay, one two three And look at those guys in the back, I don't know about them

Good luck.

Okay, roll call. Chairman Bender? Here. Vice Chairman Leatherwood? Here. Commissioner Madrid? Commissioner Martin? Here. Commissioner King?

Here. At this time, we're going to approve the agenda. Any changes to the agenda? Hearing none. Got a motion to approve and a second. All those in favor, signify by saying aye. Those opposed, same time. the agenda is adopted minutes approval any changes to the minutes chairman no changes to regular or indigent I mean move to approve motion and a second all those in favor signify by saying aye those opposed same sign at this time we'll have recognition of visitors and public input for which no action will be taken is there anybody here that would like to address the Commission this morning All right, seeing none, we are going to move to proclamations. And our first proclamation is declaring a day of remembrance and observance of the 25th anniversary of 9-11-2001. We have Ms. Christian Price with us here.

Chairman Bender and Commission, thank you. I also want to introduce actually the City of Clovis City Clerk, and it's actually my sister, Charlie Massey. She has recently started with the city, and this has been her first project. So her first project with the city and my last with the county will be the 9-11 25th anniversary memorial. So congratulations. We're excited to plan it together. And we are working together, and we have a couple of things up our sleeve. And that will be unveiled tomorrow during the ceremony. So we're really excited. Whereas, 25 years have passed since the morning of September 11, 2001, when the ordinary life of a nation was suddenly broken by acts of violence that took the lives of thousands of innocent people and left a wound upon the hearts of millions. And whereas, on that morning, people who had begun their day as they always had, going to work, traveling, serving others, saying goodbye to loved ones, were confronted with a tragedy that none could have imagined. In the hours that followed, the true measure of a people was not found in anger or fear, but in the courage of those who ran toward danger while others fled from it. And whereas, the firefighters, police officers, emergency medical personnel, military members, public servants, and ordinary citizens who responded that day demonstrated a truth that history has taught us many times, that the worth of a human life is revealed most clearly in what one is willing to sacrifice for another. And whereas, nearly 3,000 souls were lost on September 11th and countless families, friends, colleagues, and communities were changed forever. Their absence has remained with us through 25 years of birthdays, anniversaries, holidays, and quiet moments when those who love them remember the lives that should have continued. And whereas, in the years since that terrible day, we have learned that remembrance is more than looking backward. To remember is to accept a responsibility, to carry forward the lessons of those who were lost, to recognize the courage of those who served, and to refuse to allow hatred, fear, or violence to define the better nature of humanity. And whereas the city of Clovis and Curry County recognize that the passage of time does not diminish the significance of September 11th, 2001, rather as the years pass, the responsibility falls increasingly upon those who did not witness that day themselves to understand what happened, to honor those who have given their lives, and to preserve their memory for generations yet unborn. And whereas, the City of Clovis and Curry County will join together to host the 25th anniversary September 11th Remembrance Ceremony at noon on Friday, September 11th, 2026, in front of the Curry County Courthouse, gathering our community in quiet reflection to remember the fallen and to honor the courage, sacrifice, and service that emerged from one of the darkest days in our nation's history. And whereas we remember that beneath the boundaries of nation, profession, belief, and circumstance, we share the same human capacity for love, grief, courage, and compassion. The names of those who were lost remind us that every life is singular and precious, and that the measure of a community is found in how faithfully it remembers and how willingly it cares for one another.

Now, therefore, I, Brad Bender, Chairman of the Board of Curry County Commission, do hereby proclaim September 11, 2026 as a day of remembrance and observance of the 25th anniversary of September 11, 2001, and call upon all residents of Curry County to pause in remembrance of those who were lost, to honor those who have served and sacrificed, and to extend gratitude to the families and survivors whose lives were forever changed. That we remember not only the destruction of that day, but also the acts of courage and compassion that followed. And that in remembering, we choose not to preserve hatred, but to preserve the human virtues that tragically revealed courage, mercy, sacrifice, unity, and love of our fellow human beings. May we carry it not as a burden of bitterness, but as a solemn duty to live with greater courage, greater compassion, and greater regard for the preciousness of every human life. Thank you all so much. Outside, some amazing 4-H students, I think everybody in here could remember what happened on that day. and where we were. And it doesn't get any easier 25 years later to stop and think about it. So thank you all for your teamwork on this. We're excited to have you as a counterpart on the city. So this is awesome that you guys get to work together on this. We're looking forward to tomorrow.

Thank you.

Okay, our second proclamation for National 4-H Week, October 4th through 10th, 2026, Candy Hutchins.

Good morning. How are you guys this morning?

Great. How are you?

Excellent.

Thank you, Commissioner Bender.

I would like to introduce our 4-H members that we have with us this morning. In October, October 4th through the 11th, we celebrate National 4-H Week. And to do so, our schedules this year kind of aligned differently, and we're going to be gone for several different fairs and whatnot. So this week was the best week for us to come and present this with you guys and go ahead and do the proclamation. So I would like to introduce our members. They have a little bit to stay before they announce the proclamation and go through that with you guys. So if you'll join us in listening to their stories, I would like to introduce Mr. Kyle Wood, Ms. Taylin Wood, Mr. Jacob Clark and Ms. Robin Porter.

When I started my 4-H beef project, I was nine. I didn't know much about beef, just a few things that I had learned from the family ranch. I had learned how to feed them and what was supplements I should give them, what it takes to have high quality hair. I had to ensure that their water wouldn't freeze during the winters while also making sure that they could stay cool environment during the blazing summers. I learned through the 4-H Beef Project that there is so much more than caring for your animals. You must advocate for them, as well as the people who are out there actually producing our beef. Now I understand almost everything about this industry. I've actively pursued programs that would expand my knowledge beyond my family ranch. I've gone to Cattlemen's College, Ranch Management Camp, EQA, and attending several workshops extending several workshops over the years to gain insight into the industry. But more than anything, I understand how important it is to advocate for this industry. I served on the New Mexico State 4-H leadership team, both as a State 4-H ambassador as well as a secretary. Both years, I was able to teach youth about the beef industry and share the importance of beef in New Mexico. I currently sit as New Mexico Cowbells Beef Ambassador, giving me the opportunity to advocate across the state for an industry I have this passion for. This project has taught me so much and brought me so much success through my officer positions. But I will say the icing on the cake was rounding out my show career, winning Grand Champion, Market Steer.

When I started 4-H, I was just learning the basics of everything that there was to learn. It was hard for me whenever I started because I was being brought, there were several things being brought up to me and it was very overwhelming. I tried many different projects with the goal of finding my own passion and purpose. As I got older, I found a love for 4-H and I found a belonging through showing, sewing, jewelry making, and leadership. Now I am very involved in 4-H, and I have found a passion for growing others in 4-H. Now I am stepping out of my comfort zone to learn the skills to lead and teach others and their passions in 4-H. My heart is growing 4-H in Curry County because 4-H does not just teach us about making things, grows us as a person, which I have experienced and has made me a better person and the person I am today. I am looking forward to the next four years in 4-H and how it will shape me even more.

From a young age, I loved to talk. My parents have told me I would never stop as a toddler learning my words. They would kid that I would be an amazing greeter at the age of three at Walmart. I talked to everyone I saw and introduced myself as Jacob Andrew Clark. Growing up, I would always be volunteered to talk in group projects or to answer a question in class. I would sign up to do plays in elementary school or to help by saying something at assembly. Then when I started my agricultural journey, I felt right at home in the speaking contests. For the past two years, I would be the first on the list to compete in any speaking contest. There were videos I would watch to hear how people spoke, emphasize certain words or sentences, and use hand gestures to make the point I was trying to make stick. I would study countless hours of professional speeches and political events to try and better myself. I would stay up at night memorizing and going over speeches with my parents just to make sure I would be ready. Well, all those nights of hard work genuinely paid off greatly. With the work from those long nights, I competed in prepared speech, Parley Pro, club presentations, and the leadership projects within 4-H. Some contests went my way, others frustrated me. Regardless of the outcome, I had to keep pushing, keep working, and keep striving for excellence. That drive got me to where I am today. Today, I'm the Curry County Chaplain who proudly gave the prayer at the livestock sale this year. A confident competitor and a developing speaker, I wish to continue my career in speaking into my adulthood. I would like to follow a career in politics, criminal justice, or even just speaking to crowds. I hope to inspire my peers or those younger to never stop working and to step out of their comfort zone. I would like to show them that sharing their story could be just what someone needs to hear. Hopefully, I can continue to compete in 4-H and possibly go on to be part of the state and national officer teams.

2026 National 4-H Proclamation. Whereas 4-H is an... There as 4-H, America's largest youth development organization supports nearly 6 million youth across the county and whereas 4-H is helping 2000 youth in Curry County to become competent, independent, resilient and compassionate leaders and

Whereas, 4-H is delivered by Cooperative Extension, a community of more than 100 public universities across the nation that provide experiences where young people learn by doing through hands-on projects in the most important areas of health, science, agriculture, and civic engagement. And, whereas, National 4-H Week showcases the incredible ways that 4-H inspires kids to do and highlights the remarkable 4-H youth in Curry County who work each day to make a positive impact on those around them, and.

Whereas, 4-H of nearly 500,000 volunteers and 3,500 professionals provide caring and supporting mentoring to all 4-Hers, helping them grow into true leaders, entrepreneurs, and visionaries.

Sorry. Lost my spot. I apologize. Therefore, be it resolved that I, Brad Bender, Curry County Chairman, do hereby proclaim October 4th through 10th, 2026 as National 4-H Week throughout Curry County and encourage all of our citizens to recognize 4-H for the significant impact that have made and continue to make by empowering youth with the skills they need to lead for a lifetime. I want to just say really quick that it takes a ton of courage to get up and speak in any setting, especially in front of a lot of people sitting in chairs staring at you. And I don't know how much time you all have had with public speaking, but you all did a fantastic job, and I want you all to know that. Public speaking doesn't get easier. It's the nerves that go in, and you can always tell that you have it no matter what. Everybody has it no matter whether they say they don't. But y'all did a fantastic job. I did not know looking at the agenda that I was going to come in and be blessed by you all today and your courage and come up doing this. So I am delighted. Thank you so much. Vice Chairman, you started on 4-H?

Yes, and I got to share a little bit during the fair that we welcomed everybody. But 4-H to me is a huge deal for Curry County. I mean, for youth everywhere. Just your speaking, I mean, leadership growth the things you've learned what we do and not it's not always about what we just learned right here today is it's not always about a goat or a lamb or a pig or whatever cow but it's about speaking it's about sewing it's about learning it's about life just living life it's about the things you can do every day And it is learned through this. And it's just like the public speaking. I mean, we have a very good friend here who now is the president of a bank that he won speaking contests at nationals in FFA. who now is one of our city leaders. But it's just through the passions that we have. And I think that through 4-H and FFA too, but it allows you to grow because, I mean, I wasn't a speaker. I didn't like to speak. And now here I am. I get to speak a lot. I'm now a Bible study teacher. I get up and it's okay. But at one time it was not. I couldn't do it. But understanding that 4-H is, if people, if our whole community would understand just what 4-H has to offer besides farm stuff, it's just life. And that's what I think what 4-H teaches. I would still remember. Yeah, I did remember it. I pledged my head to clear a few more. I do remember the pledges. And it's very important. And I pray that this county would just continue to grow its 4-H project. Thank you.

Thank you all so much. I'm going to come down there. I'll do a picture here for proclamation, if you all don't mind.

Thank you. We have a nice gift for you all.

Now the ball is out.

And before I forget, Mindy and Candy, thank you all so much for your direction, guidance, and leadership with this and putting this together. We really do appreciate you all. I think you all burned a bag of donuts yourselves if Commissioner Kane allows it. No, no donuts for Candy.

Thank you all.

Appreciate you.

Appreciate you.

All right, consent agenda. Items listed below are recommended by the county manager for placement on the consent agenda. These items are placed on the agenda so that the commission, by unanimous consent, can designate those routine agenda items that they wish to be approved or acknowledged by one motion. If any proposal does not meet with the approval of all commission members or if a citizen so requests, that item will be heard when reached in the regular agenda. Any changes to the consent or any questions on the consent agenda?

Okay. Move to replace items one through eight on consent.

We have a motion and a second. Roll call, please. Vice Chairman Leatherwood? Yes.

Commissioner Martin? Yes. Commissioner Kane? Yes. And Chairman Bender?

Yes. Motion to approve and a second.

Roll call, please. Commissioner Martin? Commissioner Kane? Yes. Chairman Bender? Yes. Vice Chairman Leatherwood? Yes.

Okay, that takes us to our action item number one. Action on order to impose the 2026 property tax rates. We have Mr. Sam Kelly with us. Kelly.

Chairman Bender, commissioners, it's that time of year again. didn't write down what page on the packet the tax certificate is at but you will need to impose taxes this year and with that I'll stand for any questions you have okay well

kelly i had a couple questions uh you know and and not to uh last year last year was a a much better year i i believe we go back two years ago we had a we had a little bit of an issue with uh checking on um all the entities for uh for approval if we recall there were some emails that you know one email wrong emails some calls no callbacks and we want to make sure did every was every entity contacted and give give a valid response every entity was contacted and responded sir everything was contacted responded okay you have that on um the last question i have is kind of gauged around uh the school district uh are there going to be some tax changes for those residents in the school districts because i know what they the schools did approve the new construction of the new high school And so there's going to be some property tax change with that, if I'm correct. I wanted to make sure we clarified that now. So in accordance of next year, are we going to see that?

We are, sir. The Clovis tax rate went up about 10% this year. And that was basically due to the Clovis schools raising their rates by two mil.

Hey, we know what's going to happen. There's going to be a lot of phone calls. And we just need to make sure that the record shows. That went through the vote on the elections. Even though they were declined on both of the subsequent, and I forget what that was, just to keep the maintenance piece in line. Even though that failed, we have this new construction. So it is, it's going up. Yes, sir. 10%. Yeah.

We expected it to go up a little bit. for two reasons. First, because I did not raise values this year. And second, because this was the first year that veterans were able to claim the exemption for their percentage disability. And you will see some slight variations in the tax rates as you go down the different categories there but really the only big difference in the tax rate from last year to this year was the clovis schools okay um all right uh commissioner do you have any questions mr martin and just

This isn't towards you at all, but a tax rate or basically a penalty for owning property is what we're voting on today. And then to hit the City of Clovis School District with 10% on top of that, it's a big ask of landowners, property homeowners, business owners. And then when you have DFA that won't even take the time to certify that what they're presenting us to enact for them is correct. There's a lot of questions on why we're even assessed with doing this. I question it every year. And my vote usually is no. as it will be again this year, basically, because there is no rhyme or reason to why we do this to each other, especially if you have a state entity that will not back it up and has basically tried to put the blame back on the county if something's wrong. We're going backwards. And again, Sam, this isn't you. You're just the person in that spot right now. And we're at the mercy of the state. the commission doesn't set this rate our assessor doesn't set this rate the state sets it for us and i just want that on the record thank you sam do we have any any clear direction any any more from the dfa on the questions that were asked previously uh no sir the dfa in my opinion right now they're

trying to cover themselves but we have not had any meetings yet to work out the problems that started back in july okay and based on what uh commissioner martin just said where do you have any opinion in the direction that we're proposing here chairman bender uh agree with most of what Commissioner Martin said except for this I don't look at taxes as a penalty for owning property I look at them as a blessing for living in the United States we live in a country where Nobody shows up at our door with a gun and says, give me your property. We come before governing boards and we make decisions. We decide what roads are going to be worked on, what we want to do together as a community. And so that's, to me, is what taxes mean. Now, I agree that DFA is trying to get out of the responsibility of setting tax rates. And they've sent out letters saying, don't blame us. But that's just bureaucratic nonsense. It's a new staff, and they don't know how to write a letter, basically. So I agree with Commissioner Martin on that, but it's just all the same.

And they're testing, you know, they're testing the waters to see where we fall, right? I mean, how far do they go with it? And it's sad that we've gone this long with that same question.

pending uh commissioners y'all anybody else have anything they'd like to ask so two things Sam um one when it go back to the city of Clovis taxes going up have we I mean I know it wasn't our it wasn't our election it wasn't our our deal but like Brad said we're going to either we or you or or These guys sitting right here, somebody, there's going to be phone calls coming. Have we done something to be proactive to make sure that people understand that this is coming? Because here in a couple months it's coming, and that's when you're going to get them. So that's one question. I guess I'll let you answer that, and then I'll ask another one.

Well, I don't know if it's my job or any of our jobs to speak for the school system. They should be the ones telling the public. And educating them. I mean, I don't mind telling the public. I don't mind speaking before any of them. But all I can tell them is the school system raised their rates by two mil. Now, the school system is not very good, in my opinion, about communicating. But all I can do is stand up here and tell you why the taxes are going up.

I don't really disagree with you for most of that, and it is kind of their deal, and I guess I was kind of just getting that said again, stated here. But I guess as long as you're ready for it, because school or not, you're going to get the phone calls. The second thing is on this page 58, not 85, there's a letter here, and it's the DFA deal. It's already been covered, but... It says that they're not going to verify and stand with this. I mean, they're not even backing their own deal here. So my question is, what happens if we don't pass this? What's the ramifications if we don't pass this?

If you don't pass this, we don't collect taxes. And you don't have money to spend. That's basically what it comes down to, Commissioner Kagan.

There's Paul do you have anything that you would weigh in on this and your opinion and what what direction we need to look here?

I'm in vendor Commission You have this is one of the things the state requires you to do you have to? Instruct the assessor to impose the order You have to do this as a procedure process to collect property taxes. If you don't, county can't operate. And as a result of that, you're impacting all of the taxing entities.

Did you have any other questions regarding any of this or anything that we missed?

Chairman Bender and Commission, I don't believe so. If all the taxing entities have approved their rates and they agree with them, I think you have no other choice but to approve.

Okay. I will say this. One of the best responses we've had since I've been here, Texaco Schools, I sent out the email on a Thursday evening maybe, or I don't remember. The next morning I got an email from Texaco Schools saying, I've sent your email on to our bond advisor. They have replied, everything looks good. I wish every entity would do that and send us that type of response. I want to point them out.

And I'm glad you did. I would encourage, in fact, I think if we go back two years ago to our previous comment, I was just as frustrated with the lack of communication on those that we did send the correct email or the right phone number, the lack of urgency, because it's a requirement for us to do our job properly and you to do your job properly that we need those responses. We're not just expecting them, but we require them. So thank you for doing that. That's great news. With that, I'm going to make a motion that we approve the action order to impose 2026 property tax rates. A motion and a second. All those in favor, signify by saying aye. Aye. Those opposed, same sign. Okay. We are approved. Thank you, Mr. Kelly. Thank you. Motion to enter indigent board. Motion and a second. Roll call, please.

Commissioner Martin. Commissioner King. Chairman Bender.

Yes. Vice Chairman Leatherwood. Yes.

Mr. Powell, how do you handle these? Chairman Bender and Commission, we can do the first four items as one motion and then the last item by itself. First is La Casa Medical Claims for the month of February 2026. Two claims for two patients. $210 was billed, recommending approval at $136.50. Next is La Casa Dental Claims. This is the second partial report for the month of June 2026. One claim, total amount billed $411, recommending approval at the amount of $267.15. Next is La Casa Dental Claims for the month of July 2026. Three claims for three patients, total amount billed $554, recommending approval at $360.10. The last one is La Casa medical claim for the month of July. Two claims for two patients. Total amount billed $210. Recommending approval at the amount of $136.50. Okay.

Motion to approve indigent claims one through four. Second. All those in favor signify by saying aye. Aye. Those opposed, same sign. Okay.

Chairman Bender and Commission, the last is claims for Plains Regional Medical Center. We had eight claims for eight inmates. Total amount billed was $49,546.47 recommending approval at 32%, which is $15,854.87. Move to approve. Second. Motion is second. All those in favor signify by saying aye. Aye. Those opposed, same sign.

Motion to exit indigent board. Second. Motion and second. All those in favor, signify by saying aye. Aye. Those opposed, same sign. Future agenda items. Anybody have anything they would like to add to the next agenda, which comes out, I believe, tomorrow? We've got a meeting Tuesday at 9 a.m., so our agenda will be released sometime tomorrow. Nothing?

Do we have some from yesterday? Is it for Tuesday or for next month?

We have a few project requests for next Tuesday. Okay. And then we'll have some following in October as well. Okay.

Okay. With that, we are adjourned.