911 board OKs deal for former pharmacy

The Tucumcari/Quay Regional Emergency Communications Board last week recommended entering into a $190,000 purchase agreement for the former Bob’s Budget Pharmacy building as a future home for its dispatch center.

The action during the Nov. 27 meeting came after a closed 15-minute executive session to discuss the possible purchase.

Sheriff Dennis Garcia made the initial motion for the agreement, and Tucumcari Police Chief Patti Lopez seconded.

The agreement requires final approval by the Quay County Commission during its next meeting on Dec. 11.

If the county finalizes the pact, board Chairman Rodney Paris said after the meeting he anticipated it would take at least a year for the 911 center to move into the building.

Paris said it likely would have to hire an engineer to oversee the move due to the complexity of moving high-tech equipment into the building without any down time by the dispatch center.

Justin Knight had appraised the former Bob’s Budget Pharmacy at 511 S. Second St. at $190,000. It has been owned by Tucumcari-based Rafter E LLC since May.

The appraisal stated the recently remodeled building is 2,000 square feet with a 1,000-square-foot carport and storage area.

The 911 center is housed in less than 400-square-foot room at the Tucumcari Police Department.

Bob’s Budget Pharmacy, built in 1983, became Bestcare Pharmacy in 2018 after the death of longtime pharmacist and co-owner Bob McClelland earlier that year.

The pharmacy closed in September 2022 after the store could not find another pharmacist to replace one who moved away.

The board also tabled approval of a memorandum of understanding with the City of Tucumcari.

The pact would have the dispatch center pay $1,349 a month in rent, plus 30% of the police department’s utilities. It also could split the cost of the purchase of an electrical generator.

Noting the termination part of the agreement was left blank, Paris recommended a 90-day notice.

Quay County manager Daniel Zamora voiced no opposition to the MOU but noted it could be simplified by paying the difference between expenses and what the city pays into the dispatch system.

Board members agreed and directed that change in the pact before the board’s January meeting.