Internet, radio top wishlist

Improving internet broadband infrastructure and emergency radio coverage prompted the most discussion Monday during the Quay County Commission’s public hearing for its proposed infrastructure/capital improvement plan.

The final wish list would be submitted to the state after the commission’s next meeting Sept. 14. It gives the New Mexico Legislature an outline on how to award capital-outlay funds during the next session.

County emergency management coordinator Daniel Zamora said he thinks he can improve the county’s radio coverage for first responders for less than $100,000 by buying additional radio repeaters and base stations. He said such improvements also would encourage Harding and San Miguel counties to upgrade their systems.

County Clerk Ellen White said broadband infrastructure boosts are needed in Nara Visa and San Jon.

She said a secure broadband internet connection is required to run a polling place in Nara Visa, which the village doesn’t have. She also said the San Jon Community Center used as a polling place also lacks broadband. Her office brings a portable wireless internet device to make up for that.

White noted because improving broadband throughout the state remains a goal for Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham, the county might land on a higher priority list for such a request.

Commissioner Sue Dowell said it might be wise to contact Plateau to see whether broadband can be added to Nara Visa. Zamora encouraged the county to contact the state about possible broadband grants.

County manager Richard Primrose said he gave to the state information about expanding broadband in the county but hadn’t heard follow-up about it.

Commission Chairman Franklin McCasland and commissioner Mike Cherry, observing the state’s fiscal woes, said it might be wise for the county to include additional less-costly projects on its infrastructure list instead of expensive ones.

Answering a question, county finance director Cheryl Simpson said she was assured the county would receive its $350,000 in capital-outlay money earmarked earlier this year to replace the roof on the main barn at the county fairgrounds. She said the state is scheduled to sell bonds in October, and money for that project should arrive after that.

Primrose said entities in the county that want projects on the infrastructure/capital improvement list should contact Simpson about it.

In other business:

• Commissioners approved a $16,083 annual sub-recipient grant agreement to cover 25% of Zamora’s salary and benefits as county emergency management coordinator.

• C. Renee Hayoz, administrator of Presbyterian Medical Services, said the first shipment of influenza shots should arrive by Aug. 28. She said COVID-19 travel restrictions for PMS employees also were lifted.

• Sheriff’s deputy Dennis Garcia, giving the monthly sheriff’s report, said deputies initially had “backed off” on interactions with interstate travelers because of possible exposure to COVID-19 but had resumed to a more normal level by July.

• Commissioners approved $553.63 in claims in August from the indigent claims board.

• Commissioners went into an executive session to discuss an audit entrance conference with CRI CPAs of Albuquerque. No action was taken after the closed session.