Paws & Claws given subsidy

Paws & Claws Animal Rescue of Quay County will receive $6,000 upfront from the county government, plus $10,000 annually after the shelter's president pleaded for such aid.

Kathi McClelland, president of the nonprofit shelter on Airport Road east of Tucumcari, told county commissioners during their regular meeting last Tuesday that "we're struggling financially" due to rising costs and that the shelter's ability to acquire grants has been "hit or miss."

She said Paws & Claws is rebuilding nine kennels at a cost of $25,000 and needs to rebuild another nine as soon as possible.

The shelter also needs to replace two climate-control units at $1,500 each that have died. Its dog food bill also runs between $400 and $500 a month.

County manager Daniel Zamora suggested giving $6,000 upfront to pay for the shelter's annual food expenses, plus another $10,000 subsidy for each fiscal year.

He noted Paws & Claws takes in stray dogs that are picked up in the county by sheriff's deputies.

Commissioners approved the donation unanimously.

"I'm all for it," Commissioner Brian Fortner said. "We need to get involved."

Paws & Claws has been a federally recognized nonprofit since 2015. The shelter spays or neuters the animals and provides necessary health care. If homes for the animals aren't found locally, Paws & Claws transfers them to other rescues.

One day after the commission meeting, McClelland said it was the first time Paw & Claws had requested assistance from the county, and she was happy to get it.

"It's a big relief," she said. "We've got lots of bills to pay."

In other business:

- Commissioners authorized the issuance and sale of about $140 million in taxable industrial revenue bonds to improve and expand the Caprock Wind project in southern Quay County

Luis Carrasco, the county's bond attorney, said about $35 million of the bonds would improve the existing wind farm and about $105 million would expand it.

Carrasco said the county would work with Caprock Wind on terms of road maintenance in the area. The bonds will be issued for no more than 30 years at a maximum interest rate of 5%.

- Commissioners approved a preliminary budget for fiscal year 2024-2025 that projects $15.944 million in expenditures and an adjusted ending cash balance of $1.253 million.

"I want you to know I appreciate that you're budgeting conservatively," Commissioner Jerri Rush said.

Commissioners also approved a budgetary increase of $341,000 in state transportation funds in the current fiscal year for the design of road improvements to Quay Road 63.

- Commissioners approved a donation of $2,000 to the Tucumcari Public Library. Director Linda Gonzalez, who made the request, said the funds would be used to distribute school supplies and backpacks to local students and for the library's summer reading program.

Gonzalez said a sound booth would be installed in the library in July, which could be used for telemedicine sessions or as a music room.

She said the summer reading program would conclude on July 26 at the municipal swimming pool with a night swim and movie screening.

- County treasurer Patsy Gresham told commissioners about a fraudulent check of $20,257.63 from her office's checking account.

She said the check, issued to WEX Bank to pay a monthly gasoline card bill, was intercepted and its payee changed to an individual in Ohio.

She said New Mexico Bank & Trust is researching the incident, and she also filed a report with the sheriff's office.

In response, Gresham said the treasurer's office has added a Positive Pay program to safeguard its checking. The monthly cost of the program is $50 for checks and $60 for debits, plus 11 cents per check.

"Though this is the first such potential loss we have incurred in my terms as Treasurer, I believe this product is necessary and the charge justified in today's current environment as to prevent a future incident," Gresham wrote in her report.

- Commissioners approved the county's annual participation in programs by the Eastern Plains Council of Governments for $2,216. Zamora said EPCOG has aided in lobbying efforts and helped organize the annual Quay Day at the beginning of the legislative session.

- Commissioners approved indigent health claims of $10,207.90 in May. In the year to date, the county has approved over $99,000 in such claims.

- Jason Lamb and Erin Smith of the Quay County Extension Office gave quarterly reports. Smith talked about her efforts to rejuvenate the 4-H Cloverbuds program. The Strong Seniors fitness program also has 35 people enrolled, which is near capacity.