Serving the High Plains
Serving the High Plains
Quay County commissioners on Monday approved a contract with Wireless Tower Solutions to regulate wireless communications facilities.
Chief training and technology officer Dean Williamson, appearing by videoconference during the meeting, said he anticipates the company would develop a county ordinance for cellular facilities within two months.
Wireless Tower Solutions is based in South Carolina and has an office in Albuquerque.
The contract comes at no cost to the county. Wireless Tower Solutions earns its revenue through application and permit fees from cellular companies via the ordinance.
During presentations at previous meetings, Williamson said the company would ensure on the county’s behalf that new cellular towers would confirm to the area’s character and appearance. Wireless Tower Solutions primarily serves counties with smaller populations.
Williamson said he anticipates many new 5G towers would be erected in the county, especially in rural areas.
In other business:
— During public comments, Mesalands Community College interim president Allen Moss gave an update on the college’s condition and its activities.
He said Mesalands was on a “somewhat firm foundation” financially, with steady cash reserves. He said the college underwent a “much improved” 2022 audit, with a 2023, 2024 and special audit forthcoming by the state auditor’s office.
The college recently hosted an FFA contest that drew more than 400 participants, and Moss said he hopes to it would host a similar event again.
He said the college’s partnership with Impact Wind is providing wind-energy certification training and added nine to 10 jobs to the area. He said Impact is expected to add solar-energy training, as well.
— U.S. Department of Agriculture wildlife specialist Aric Acosta reported he killed 60 coyotes and 69 feral hogs in the county from October through March. Acosta said the number of hogs exterminated was high for him, with most of them along the Canadian River Valley or the caprock.
Acosta also presented a news release about the steady population growth of Mexican wolves, to about a total of 250 animals in New Mexico and Arizona.
“They’ll be here (in Quay County) before you know it,” he said, noting one wolf was found at Santa Rosa Lake last year.
— Commissioners approved an annual resolution that states the county maintains a total of 1,105.64 miles of road, which did not change from the previous year.
Road superintendent Stephen Salas said his crews are filling potholes at Quay Roads AI and AR. He said his department is using a material that costs $100 more per ton but lasts considerably longer.
— Commissioners approved a resolution for a budgetary increase of $183,475.71 for roadway repairs on Quay Road AI. The funds were leftover from the previous fiscal year.
— County fire marshal Lucas Bugg said the Forrest and Jordan fire districts each received improved ISO ratings that ought to lower insurance costs for many residents there.
— During his manager’s report, Daniel Zamora said he was finishing an application for $20 million in federal funding that would complete the construction fund of a new Dr. Daniel C. Trigg Memorial Hospital in Tucumcari. He said he is receiving letters of support from U.S. Sens. Martin Heinrich and Ben Ray Lujan and U.S. Rep. Teresa Leger Fernandez. The hospital project also is receiving $10 million in state funding.
— Zamora said the jail recently hired four new corrections officers. At one point, the county was transporting inmates to other facilities because of low staffing and better certified services.
However, Zamora said, the county was spending up to $120,000 a month to house its inmates in Roosevelt County alone, which was “unsustainable.” Quay County now is keeping more inmates at its jail.
— Early in the meeting, Lopez requested a moment of silence for New Mexico State Police officer Justin Hare of Logan, who was slain west of Tucumcari on March 15.