Projects list includes $25M for new hospital

Quay County commissioners on Monday approved an Infrastructure Capital Improvements Plan from 2024 to 2028 that includes a $25 million request to fund a new hospital in Tucumcari at the top of the priority list.

The list goes on to the New Mexico Legislature for its consideration in its January session for capital outlay funds or an outright allocation from state lawmakers.

County leaders anticipate they will use a combination of federal and state money to replace the nearly 60-year-old Dr. Dan C. Trigg Memorial Hospital. Best-case scenario, county leaders hope construction begins sometime in 2023.

In June, commissioners approved a nearly $1 million contract with Arizona-based Stantec Architecture to design a new hospital on land just south of the current facility.

County manager Daniel Zamora clarified a seventh item on the list — $75,000 for a concession stand at the fairgrounds — was placed on the county’s ICIP so it would be eligible for a possible grant.

Commissioner Jerri Rush voiced some reservations about the request, asking at one point: “Do we want to spend somebody else’s money?”

Fellow commissioners Franklin McCasland and Robert Lopez did not share her concern.

“The money is going to be given out somewhere,” Lopez said.

In the end, Rush joined with McCasland and Lopez to approve the plan.

The list also contains a $45 million request for a regional behavior health facility. That is part of a multi-county effort to build a mental-health hospital, probably in the Clovis area. Area leaders also anticipate a combination of state and federal money to make the facility a reality.

Here is the county’s full Infrastructure Capital Improvement Plan, listed by priority:

• Hospital, $25 million;

• Quay Road 63 construction, $1.25 million;

• Quay Road 62.9 construction, $1 million;

• Fire and EMS radio equipment upgrade, $300,000;

• Bridge 1042 on Historic Route 66, $5.25 million;

• Regional behavior health facility, $45 million;

• Fairgrounds concession stand, $75,000;

• Asset management procedure plan, $100,000;

• Quay County Detention Center renovations, $300,000;

• Excavator, $800,000;

• County vehicles, $300,000;

• Pneumatic roller, $250,000;

• Courthouse window replacement, $1.164 million;

• Dump truck equipment, $400,000;

• Quay Road AR construction, $1.5 million;

• Quay Road AP construction, $850,000;

• Ute Reservoir watershed restoration, $500,000.

In other business during the meeting:

• Commissioners approved a resolution of proposed industrial revenue bonds to be used by Delaware-based Leeward Renewable Energy for the Caprock Wind Repower Project and Phase 2 of the Caprock Wind Power project.

The project aims to replace obsolete equipment at the wind farm in southern Quay County and develop more land there for additional wind power. It would involve up to $297 million in bonds. Phase 2 of the project would generate 88 megawatts of wind power.

Two commissioners initially voiced concerns about the county’s responsibility with rights-of-way and easements, but explanations by Leeward officials apparently allayed those. The measure passed unanimously.

• Commissioners approved an order to rescind a burn ban and similar restrictions due to reduced fire danger. County Fire Marshal Lucas Bugg said he checked with rural fire chiefs about the idea, and none objected to it. Citing severe drought conditions and wildfires throughout the state, the county initially imposed a ban on open fires, campfires, fireworks and outdoor smoking in late April.

• Commissioners approved donating a small tract of county land to Tucumcari Public Schools for a ballpark redevelopment project. School district voters in February 2019 approved a $3 million bond issue for the project, and demolition on the baseball and softball fields began last month. The school district still is awaiting for the city to deed over its land for the project.

• Commissioners approved an amendment with Summit Food Service for the Quay County Detention Center that raises prices 8.5% due to inflationary pressures. Jail Lt. Johnny Reid said it would be an increase of about 25 cents per meal for inmates.

• Commissioners approved a reduction of fees for use of the county fairgrounds by the C.R.A.F.T. Fair. Rental now will be $200, which Zamora said is about half the usual amount. Carole Keith of the C.R.A.F.T. Fair said the event needs to replace 50 pegboards used for the event that are stored at the fairgrounds. The fair is marking its 50th year this fall.

• Commissioners approved four resolutions from road superintendent Larry Moore concerning several state funds and waiver requests for county road projects and maintenance.

• During her monthly report, Presbyterian Medical Services administrator C. Renee Hayoz said COVID-19 vaccines are available for children in the six months to 5 years, 6 years to 11 years and 12 years to 18 years age groups. She said local coronavirus rates are high and that its spread will worsen.

Hayoz said she has not received word of when the clinic would receive monkey pox vaccine.

She said seasonal flu vaccine would be available by late September, and a vaccination event likely will be planned at that time.

• During public comments, Tucumcari/Quay County Chamber of Commerce director Scott Crotzer gave a quarterly report. He said the recent Pinata Fiesta generated almost $6,000 in sales.

Crotzer also listed these upcoming events: open house at the visitor center on Sept. 22; Pumpkin Crawl at the Tucumcari Historical Museum and NMSU ag research center on Oct. 29; Light Parade and Parade of Homes on Dec. 3; Pinata Fiesta on June 3; and Wheels on Fire bicycle race in September 2023. Crotzer said he also was planning at least two other events.

• Also during public comments, Greater Tucumcari Economic Development Corp. director Patrick Vanderpool said the New Mexico Environment Department likely will conduct an assessment of the long-closed Tucumcari Truck Terminal on the city’s west side, which then would submit an application to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for funding to clean up the site. The former truck stop is contaminated by leaking fuel lines.

Vanderpool said interest also has been expressed to form a faith-based program like Job Corps and house it in the Trinity Baptist Church site on South First Street near Tucumcari Boulevard.