County OKs 'minuscule' tax changes

The Quay County Commission on Monday approved property tax rates for 2024 that showed “minuscule” changes from the previous year, according to its assessor.

County Assessor Dana Leonard said his office’s role is to assess property values only.

He said the local property tax rates are supplied by the state after the county sets its annual budget.

“The assessor’s office doesn’t have control of the rates,” he said, contrary to some residents’ opinions.

Describing the changes in property tax rates as “minuscule,” Leonard said no parts of the county saw whole-number increases for the current year.

Commissioner Jerri Rush agreed, noting some property tax changes were “in the thousandths.”

Leonard said the county’s overall valuation increased by $6 million. He said it would have been higher, except Ute Lake Ranch protested its valuation.

County manager Daniel Zamora noted with higher overall property valuations in the county, that could result in property tax decreases for some residents.

After the meeting, Leonard said the largest property tax increases occurred in the Tucumcari, San Jon and House school districts because of voter-approved bond issues there.

In other business:

— Commissioners approved a resolution authorizing a budget increase of $750,000 to account for New Mexico Legislature capital-outlay awards earlier this year.

Of that, $650,000 is earmarked for a dump truck and pneumatic roller for the road department and $100,000 for new vehicles for the sheriff’s office.

— Road superintendent Stephen Salas said the county was turned down for more than $2 million in state road funds for a Quay Road 63 project. He said it received about $327,000 for Quay Road AR from Pajarito Creek to Highway 104.

— Zamora said local gross-receipts tax revenue for the August reporting period was “strong,” with increases in manufacturing, construction and retail trade.