Voters approve $3 million bond issue

Voters in the Tucumcari school district on Feb. 18 approved by more than a 2-to-1 margin a $3 million bond issue that will be used for a proposed redevelopment of its baseball and softball diamonds.

A total of 815 people cast a "yes" vote, or more than 68%, while 371 voted against it during the special mail-in election.

Turnout was 27%, which was 2 percentage points lower than the first-ever mail-in election a year ago for renewal of the school district's two-mill capital-improvement property tax.

Tucumcari Public Schools superintendent Aaron McKinney learned about the bond issue's passage a few minutes after polls closed at 7 p.m.

"I'm very excited," McKinney said by phone that night. "I had a good feeling about it."

The redevelopment would construct new baseball and softball fields, parking and a building that would host a commercial kitchen and restrooms.

McKinney previously said "time has taken its toll" on the ballfields, with bad plumbing, deteriorated structures and even some areas on the diamonds that might be unsafe.

The revamped diamonds also would meet New Mexico School Activities Association requirements to host regional high-school tournaments. Additionally, the diamonds could be used for community sports.

The general-obligation bond question on the ballot stated money could be used "for the purpose of erecting, remodeling, making additions to and furnishing school buildings, purchasing computer software and hardware for student use in public schools, providing matching funds for capital outlay projects."

McKinney had said the ballot language includes other items if money is left over from the ballfields project. He said its cost "is in the ballpark" where it would use up almost all of the $3 million.

McKinney repeatedly said the passage of the bond issue would not increase property taxes.

County Clerk Ellen White said she saw no problems with the mail-in election, though she expressed irritation over 705 ballots that were undeliverable.

"My only complaint is the 705 people who didn't update their mailing addresses, which makes it more expensive for the school district," she said.

White said 35 voters personally brought their completed ballots to her office after 2 p.m. Election Day, and about another 30 were delivered by mail that morning.

White reported Monday afternoon the total cost for the election will be $13,943.73. The school district missed a deadline to file paperwork for the November election, forcing it to schedule a costly special election. McKinney blamed the missed filing on a communication problem with its bonding company.

The Quay County Commission on Monday approved the canvass of the election. White said in her report before the commission she received 47 mailed ballots her office couldn't accept because they were unsigned.