8-09-2024 7:32am

Otero County Commission Approved Land Donation for County Courthouse and Other Actions

Chris Edwards Editor

Original Otero County Courthouse

The Otero County Commission met in regular session on July 8, 2024 at 9 an to a packed house of advocates for justice for Elijah Hadley. In a meeting that is typically not well attended most seats were taken and a large amount of public comment time was devoted to questions being asked about the shooting death of a 17 year old Mescalero Apache youth by an Otero County Deputy. Details of those discussions can be found in our story titled, Justice for Elijah Hadley Supporters Speak at County Commissioners Meeting Demand Resignation of Sheriff Black and Deputy.

In other actions by the commissioners approved the request approval of Resolution #08-08-24/113-06 granting the County Manager Pamela Heltner authority to accept a land donation for the future Courthouse and Otero County Sheriffs Office. The courthouse dialogue has gone on for over 20 years and is currently being mived forward with a proposal to build a bew one on donated land. Mesa Verde Land Holdings is donating the land to the county at an appraised value affirmed by an independent auditor of $1.3 Million. Passed 3 to 0.

The commission aporoved a request approval of a grant agreement between the Southeastern New Mexico Economic Development District and Otero County in the amount of $160,000 for programmatic operational costs and resources for the Otero County Sheriff's office for emergency services.

Amy Barela placed on the agenda
Resolution #08-08-24/113-07 opposing the State of New Mexico Construction Industry Division (CID) mandate on electric vehicle (EV) charging equipment in new homes. Mrs. Barela suggested that the impact of this state requirement would drive up home construction costs and negatively impact efforts to build affordable housing in Otero County and across New Mexico. Barela claims "this would be damaging to that process." The nonbinding resolution that acts as a statement of protest by the county to this state rule passed 3 to 0.

Tresa VanWinkle with Capped, Inc is requesting $7,120.99 due to late payment submission for the fourth quarter fiscal year 23/24. The county leaders admitted the money is budgeted yet no action could take place this meeting in reaction to public comment and will be addressed in the September meeting.

Also on the agenda was a request for approval of Resolution #08-08-24/113-02, a grant agreement between the Department of Transportation and Otero County in the amount of $100,000 to plan, design, construct, repair and improve roads, including culverts in the Bent area. Item passed.

A few small expenditures were also approved as well as a job reclassification. Individuals may watch the video of the commission meeting for more details at
https://www.youtube.com/live/ivZx_n0FITc?si=aTYBtjtm002r8k3G