County policies to be reviewed

The governing policies for the various departments under the purview of the Quay County Commissioners will be reviewed in upcoming regular meetings.

“In the five years I have been sitting at this table, we have not pulled out county policy for us to review as a commission,” said Sue Dowell, District 1 commissioner.

Dowell said these policies need to be reviewed, amended for the most efficient use and actively followed by county employees and commissioners.

“It should be the charge of the county manager, commissioners and department heads to make sure these policies put in place are being followed and met,” Dowell said.

Dowell said while reviewing the written policy for driving county vehicles, she discovered county employees are required to take a defensive driving course every three years. She said to avoid any liability or legal issues the employees that drive the county’s vehicles need to have this certification.

“This made me wonder, what employees have this certification and who needs to obtain it in order to be compliant,” Dowell said.

Dowell said a James Chavez of the New Mexico Association of Counties can assist the county in holding the classes or helping the employees meet the certification. She said it would be in the county’s best interest to contact Chavez to address this issue.

“This policy as an example, it would behoove this commission to take the time to bring out the policies of this county, discuss, refresh and make sure they say what we want them to say,” Dowell said. “We also need to make sure that we are enforcing compliance with the policies.”

County Manager Richard Primrose said personnel policies have been reviewed by the New Mexico Associated of Counties and are currently being reviewed by the county’s attorney. He said those changes can be submitted to the commissioners for their review.

“We have discussed in the past that with the changing laws and statues passed by the state their is a need to review or update policies,” said Mike Cherry, District 2 Commissioner.

Cherry said the commission has reviewed several policies including the detention center policies and law enforcement policies.

Dowell said made a motion during Monday’s regular meeting for the commission to begin the process of reviewing all written policies.

“I remind this commission, it is our responsibility to review, look over policies,” Dowell said.

Chair Franklin McCasland seconded the motion, stating each month a policy would be reviewed by the commission and placed on the agenda to be discussed by the commissioners during the regular meeting.

“I would not have a problem with addressing different policies each month,” McCasland said.

Dowell and McCasland voted in favor of the motion that passed.

Cherry voted against the motion.

“This would be addressed during separate work sessions,” Cherry said. “The commissioners could review the policies, discusses changes and have them placed on an upcoming agenda.”

The commission will start reviewing policies at the Nov. 13 regular meeting.