Serving the High Plains
Serving the High Plains
Quay County is seeking alternate funding to finish the design and construction of a new Dr. Daniel C. Trigg Memorial Hospital in Tucumcari.
County commissioners on Monday approved a resolution authorizing an application for financial aid from the New Mexico Finance Authority for the project.
The county had applied for $20 million in grants or loans from the U.S. Department of Agriculture for the hospital, but county manager Daniel Zamora said that has faced numerous delays. He said with the recent change in the presidential administration, activity with the USDA has been delayed or halted.
With the county facing a June 30 deadline to use $10 million in state appropriations for a new hospital, Zamora said applying for a loan from the NMFA is the “second-best” option.
Zamora said he was unsure whether the application would be approved, but it is “prudent” to apply.
The application states the county wants to begin construction in July. The hospital’s cost is budgeted at $36.7 million, or $828 per square foot.
County commissioner Brian Fortner agreed with the resolution.
“I think it’s great we’re looking at another option,” he said.
The resolution passed unanimously.
The county for several years has been seeking to build a new Trigg Memorial Hospital on land just south of the current facility. The current hospital, nearly 60 years old, is beset by plumbing, electrical, climate control and other code problems.
In other action:
— Commissioners approved a resolution and a letter to New Mexico’s congressional delegation regarding the U.S. Department of Energy’s proposal to use over 500,000 acres in the county for a National Interest Electrical Transmission Corridor.
The letter reiterates the county’s history with wind farms and other renewable energy, but “we strongly oppose the US government taking actions to bypass the legal and obviously successful mechanisms that are in place to build and service the wind generators and the transmission infrastructure.”
“The people whose farms, ranches and homes are in the direct path of this monstrous idea had no idea that their homes and livelihoods are in jeopardy. It appears that the US government is teaming up with energy companies to simply take whatever they want without due process to the people who have lived and worked this land for generations.”
It asks the delegation to use its legislative or oversight tools to look at the DOE’s proposal and prevent possible government overreach.
County commissioner Dallas Dowell said the letter also should be sent to the new Department of Energy chief.
The resolution expresses support for “local government control and participation” under the National Environmental Policy Act that would “ensure that local concerns and priorities are addressed.”
During the commission’s previous meeting, about 30 people — many from the Nara Visa or San Jon region — expressed concerns or opposition to the proposed corridor.
— During his manager’s report, Zamora said Presbyterian Medical Services will be awarded state rural healthcare funds to establish a new dental-care facility in Tucumcari in leased space once used by retired dentist Gary Balzano.
Zamora said Tucumcari’s only dentist, Matthew Pacheco, is “maxed out” the number of patients he cares for and doesn’t object to the project of a second dentist in town.
State health officials previously have noted a lack of dental-care access in Tucumcari and the region.
— Zamora, noting Route 66 turns 100 years old in 2026, said he recently had a meeting with state transportation officials where they indicated they were receptive about conducting a safety study of the highway in Tucumcari.
He said many tourists take photographs of the city’s Route 66 sites from the roadway, leading to possible safety hazards.
He said state officials also indicated that finding funds to restore a destroyed bridge on Old Route 66 between San Jon and Endee would be a high priority.
— Zamora said he recently had a meeting in the governor’s office to talk about the lack of housing for Mesalands Community College students.
Zamora said a representative from the governor will come to Tucumcari to assess the situation — not only for the students, but also to possible address a lack of housing for the college’s faculty, Tucumcari Public Schools teachers and staffers at Trigg Memorial Hospital.
— Commissioners approved an amendment to a Cooperative Project Agreement for Bridge 1042 on Old Route 66 between San Jon and Endee.
Road superintendent Stephen Salas said the amendment acts as an extension for the $2.5 million federal project until January 2026 because of lack of bids. He said one potential bidder, however, is putting together a proposal.
— Salas said Pacheco Construction of Tucumcari recently laid eight miles of millings on Quay Road M. The road south of Bard was damaged by flash flooding in May 2023.
Fortner praised county highway crews for their efforts in removing snow from roads on the caprock in southern Quay County after a recent storm.
“County roads were cleared when state highways weren’t,” Fortner said.
— Zamora said the county’s share of gross-receipts tax revenue in the most recent month was $331,000. He said the county has seen it consistently clear $300,000 in recent months, when just a few years ago it would have been happy with $150,000 or $200,000.
He predicted a recent voter-approved state constitutional amendment that would increase the property tax exemption for veterans and their spouses would have a minimal effect because of the robust GRT numbers.
“We’ll see a reduction in revenue, but GRT will be our saving grace,” he said.
— During public comments, county extension agents Jason Lamb and Erin Smith give a report on their office’s activities from September through December.
Smith said its Strong Seniors program recently added a yoga instructor who has added chair yoga classes each Wednesday.
Lamb said he soon will be given a Distinguished Service Award from the National Association of County Agricultural Agents for his 17 years of service.
Also, Kristine Olsen of the Tucumcari/Quay County Chamber of Commerce praised county government officials for their extensive participation in Quay Day in Santa Fe last week.