FEMA officials to tour damaged roads this week

Quay County's manager said Monday he would show storm damage to Federal Emergency Management Agency officials in an effort to receive a federal disaster declaration in the wake of last month's storms.

County manager Daniel Zamora said state Homeland Security officials were "surprised" by the extent of flood damage to county roads after the May 25-26 storms.

Zamora said he would show storm damage to FEMA officials on Thursday.

He said state officials encouraged him to pursue the federal disaster declaration because it would lower the county and state's financial burden in repairing the damage.

"If we don't get some help, we'll be years behind" in restoring roads, he said, adding the burden would be in the "hundreds of thousands" of dollars.

Road superintendent Stephen Salas said his department has received about 100 calls from residents about damaged roads, and he said that wasn't a complete number.

"If we travel and find them, we fix them," Salas said. "And we're far from done. These roads are just passable."

In other business:

- Commission Chairman Robert Lopez recognized outgoing County Assessor Janie Hoffman for her decades of service in that office.

Hoffman announced several months ago she was resigning because she and her husband were purchasing the Western Plains title company in Tucumcari.

Lopez said Hoffman assumed the assessor position during his earlier tenure with the county commission. He said at the time the assessor's office was "in bad need of leadership. She stepped up and did a wonderful job."

He presented her a gift and a plaque, the latter which was "in appreciation for 32 years of hard work and dedication to Quay County. We wish you the best of luck with your new business."

Immediately after, County Clerk Ellen White administered the oath of office to Dana Leonard as the new assessor, effective July 1.

Leonard, who has been the county's mapper since 2021, will keep that position, as well. He was hired in March from five candidates.

- Commissioners approved the hiring of Hull Consulting of Albuquerque as the county's new lobbyist. The county is splitting the $24,000 annual cost with the Village of Logan.

Lopez said he liked the diversity of Hull's two principals and the prospect of sharing the cost with Logan. Commissioner Brian Fortner agreed with that, and Commissioner Jerri Rush said she was "leaning" to hiring Hull, as well.

The county's attorney, Warren Frost of Logan, and at least one previous commissioner had questioned the loyalties of the now-former lobbyist, Clovis-based Clinton D. Harden & Associates, especially with a proposed racino in Tucumcari and the ongoing Ute Lake water pipeline.

- Alan Daugherty, principal organizer of Tucumcari Rawhide Days, said the recently completed festival was "a great success," with about 200 spectators attending popular rodeo events and about 1,000 people at the gun show. He said he would request use of the fairgrounds again for the event's June 2024 edition.

He also said he may request use of the fairgrounds again in January, February or March for a club calf show. He said he was hoping to have 100 animals for that event.

- Commissioners approved a resolution setting the location of polling places in 2023 and 2024. Polling places will be at the House Community/Senior Citizens Center, Forrest Fire Station, San Jon Community Center, Nara Visa Community Center, Logan Civic Center, Tucumcari Convention Center and absentee and early voting at the Quay County Courthouse.

Serving on the board of registration will be chairman Sylvia Wampler, Betty Munoz and Eleanor Lopez, with Kaylene Jones and Donald Adams as alternates.

- Commissioners authorized Zamora to sign a $219,993.60 contract with DHR Consulting for a summer intern program.

Zamora said about 25 youth were ready to be hired at 15 businesses in the county, with 27 more in process. Though the program will start late due to delays in state funding, the money still can be used for internships in the spring of 2024.

- Commissioners approved two resolutions for budget increases to the general fund and county improvement fund. One for $350,000 for increased expenses by the sheriff's office for fuel, transportation of prisoners, insurance and salaries. The other was $767,696 received from the state to cover additional inflationary costs for the Old Route 66 bridge between Endee and San Jon.

- Commissioners approved a USDA Wildlife Services cooperative program for $43,250 and a USDA Cooperative Service agreement.

- Commissioners approved $4,373 in indigent health claims in April and May.

- Zamora said the county received that morning a $50,000 state grant to update its comprehensive plan.

- Zamora introduced Pierce Gutierrez, a former sheriff's deputy, as the county's new emergency manager.

- Sheriff Dennis Garcia presented his quarterly report. He said the number of traffic stops from April through June was high because of residents' complaints about speeding motorists.