Quay County gets look at behavioral health facility

The forthcoming Eastern New Mexico Behavioral Health Facility in Clovis will include a Crisis Triage Center of 12 short-term beds in the first phase of the project.

Kate Bailey, a partner for the Denver-based Initium Health consulting firm, gave details about the facility to the Quay County Commission during a virtual presentation on Monday.

The behavioral health facility near Plains Regional Medical Center in Clovis would serve five eastern New Mexico counties, including Quay.

Bailey said later she hoped the facility would be operating in 18 to 24 months.

Bailey said the Crisis Triage Center would contain 10 recliners where patients could be assessed by staff and stay up to 24 hours.

The 12 short-term beds would allow patients to stay up to two weeks if they didn't require inpatient hospital care.

She said construction is expected to cost between $6.8 million and $8.5 million for the 12,500-square-foot facility, plus $425,000 in land costs. A total of $10 million is available from a state capital outlay.

Bailey said a design/build proposal for the facility is expected soon, with a meeting scheduled in October to provide more updates.

Bailey said the facility is projected to incur a total loss of $1.4 million in its first three years of operation before turning a profit in years four and five. She said that loss could be covered by the opioid settlement and managed care reinvestment funds.

The facility is projected to have a payroll of $3.8 million by its fifth year. She said Eastern New Mexico University and Clovis Community College could provide "a pipeline" of workers, and the firm is talking to Mesalands Community College about a similar arrangement.

Commissioner Jerri Rush asked who makes the determination for an involuntary admission to the facility. Bailey responded that law enforcement ultimately makes that decision.

Sheriff Dennis Garcia said having a mental-health facility closer to Quay County "will be great for us." He said deputies transporting such patients often requires a driving time of six hours each way.

In other business:

- Garcia announced the issuance of certificates of promotions to two deputies.

Lt. Larry Cooksey was promoted to undersheriff, or the second in command to Garcia. Cooksey replaces Russell Shafer, who retired in June.

Deputy Daniel Lopez was promoted to sergeant.

During his report from the May to early August period, Garcia said his department had a high number of assists to law enforcement - a sign it is "an asset to surrounding agencies."

- Commissioners approved a $393,750 grant agreement with the state Corrections Officer Recruitment Fund. The money will be used to fill vacancies at the Quay County Detention center.

Jail administrator Johnny Reid said the facility has filled 16 of 18 positions, though county manager Daniel Zamora said the grant may prompt it to raise the total to 20.

Commissioners also approved housing agreements with jails in San Juan and Lea counties. The daily rate for housing inmates in San Juan County is $475, while the rate in Lea is $150.

Commissioners approved an agreement with South Dakota-based Summit Food Services for feeding inmates at the jail. The rates, which vary with the jail's population, ranges from $2.69 to $3.54. Summit raised its prices by 12.5%.

- Commissioners approved a certification of its capital asset inventory, its fourth-quarter financial report for fiscal year 2024 and a final budget adoption for fiscal year 2025.

Later, during his manager's report, Zamora said the county was "in a good spot" before annual audits begin in September. He said department heads also have been undergoing internal audits.

- Commissioners gave initial approval to an ordinance that regulates cellphone towers in the county.

The ordinance will be advertised and allow to public comment before its anticipated final approval in September.

Fees would range from $100 for modifications of small wireless facilities to $17,500 for a new tower.

- Renee Hayoz, administrator of the Quay County Family Health Center in Tucumcari, reported a few COVID-19 cases locally, but numbers were leveling off. She said her clinic has seen a rise in strep cases.

Commissioners approved a July invoice of $21,885 for clinic operations and an agreement with the state Department of Health.

- County DWI coordinator Rico Marano said he likely would bring the New Mexico National Guard's Joint Counterdrug Task Force outreach program to Tucumcari in February or March, with all county schools invited. The program holds drunken-driving simulations and "walk the line" assessments.

- During his manager's report, Zamora said Park Place Technologies and Henry Rodriguez have been taking steps to eventually take over the county's information technology service from Plateau Telecommunications.

Zamora also said the county has taken steps to secure its elections and is going over protocols in case of intruders or disruptions at polling places. He said the FBI told him it is "looking for trends" of possible problems before the election.