MCC reduces its request for state aid

The acting interim president of Mesalands Community College told Quay County commissioners on Monday the financially distressed college has reduced its request of emergency state money from $3.7 million to $2 million, though he warned of “hard decisions” ahead even if it is granted.

Allen Moss was appointed to as acting president in February after current president Gregg Busch left town in the wake of no-confidence votes from staff and faculty. Busch, citing complications from COVID-19 and Parkinson’s disease, took a medical leave of absence about that time.

Moss, a former school superintendent from southern Missouri who oversaw the college’s dual credit and inmate-education programs before his appointment, said Busch and his staff were informed of “a financial disaster” in November or December.

“Our financial records weren’t kept like they should have been,” Moss said, blaming it on a lack of staffing and pay raises. He said Mesalands is about 12 months behind on reconciling its bank statements.

Moss said the college recently received more than $600,000 to reimplement its Jenzabar student-information system. It also will use the money to help catch up on financial statements and finish audits for the 2021 and 2022 fiscal years.

He said after the college imposed pay and program cuts last month, along with several staff resignations, it will require only about $1.25 million to get through the end of the fiscal year in June.

Moss said he is requesting $2 million from the state to pay for a state audit of the college and have a “minimal” cash cushion to begin the next fiscal year, though he acknowledged the request has met some opposition from several state senators.

He said because the college has burned through its cash reserves, it will have to confront “drastic steps” and “hard decisions” for the next fiscal year.

Moss said Mesalands’ solvency plan has improved its finances somewhat, and it will meet its payroll through March 10. At one point a few weeks ago, Mesalands was set to run out of money in late February.

Moss said “our staff and faculty are scared” about the college’s future, and residents are concerned. He expressed optimism that Mesalands will fully meet its potential once its finances are stable.

Moss said one thing residents and local officials can do is contact their state legislators and stress the importance of Mesalands to Tucumcari and the county.

Commissioner Brian Fortner, noting the commission had been trying to get someone from the college at its meetings for some time, said: “Coming here and talking to us means a lot.”

Commission Chairman Robert Lopez said he appreciated Moss for taking the acting president position during the crisis.

In other business:

— Commissioners approved a series of opioid settlements with Albertson’s, CVS, Kroger and Walmart for a total of $400,000, said county manager Daniel Zamora. He said he hopes the money can be used to help leverage the construction of a regional mental-health facility in Clovis in addition to addressing area substance abuse.

— Commissioners approved a resolution that clarifies the county’s drug and alcohol policy for safety-sensitive employees. On a related note, commissioners also approved a contract with Dr. Ross Hastie of Tucumcari to conduct its random drug and alcohol tests.

— Commissioners approved two budget-adjustment resolutions, including a total of $830,000 in fire protection grants so Fire District 1, Fire District 2 and Jordan Fire District can purchase vehicles.

— Commissioners approved a resolution in support of Senate Bill 7, the Rural Health Care Delivery Fund that would allocate $200 million. Zamora said the fund could be used to build a regional mental-health facility in Clovis and might be usable for a new Trigg Memorial Hospital in Tucumcari.

— Commissioners approved the transfer of a 1999 Chevrolet brush truck from Fire District 1 to Fire District 2.

— County Clerk Ellen White reported the county’s election board was meeting this week to update its voter rolls. She anticipated 527 voters would be purged after they went inactive over two full election cycles.

— Scott Crotzer, director of the Tucumcari/Quay County Chamber of Commerce, said the Tucumcari Visitors Center has greeted 900 people since it was renovated and reopened. He said that number can reach 3,000 if it were open for more hours. He also said the chamber was about to update its website and membership packages and has applied for a grant to repair the city’s murals.

— Constance Williams, a field representative for U.S. Sen. Ben Ray Lujan’s office in Portales, gave an overview of constituent services. Commissioner Jerri Rush asked about federal endangered-species regulations regarding the lesser prairie chicken that sparks concern from eastern New Mexico ranchers. Williams said the designation can’t be repealed, but she could have the senator push federal agencies to be more responsive.

— Zamora reported that gross-receipts tax revenue remained “really strong,” with increases in construction and retail.

— Commissions approved $13,981.04 in indigent healthcare claims.