The Lea County Board of Commissioners addressed issues of long-term importance at their regular meeting on Thursday, March 10.
The commission routinely meets to discuss a variety of issues involving the county. On Thursday’s meeting, a range of topics were covered, from the new congressional redistricting to cannabis regulation.
Congressional Redistricting Opposed
Commissioners from Eddy County, the Mayor of Artesia Raye Miller and New Mexico state representatives attended Thursday’s meeting to express their opposition to the new congressional redistricting signed into law by Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham in December of 2021.
The new redistricting affects Lea County by splitting the county into more than one district. “As a result of the redistricting, portions of Lea County are in the same district as parts of Albuquerque and other northern parts of New Mexico,” states Lea County Manager Mike Gallagher during a video summary of commissioners’ March 10 meeting. Gallagher’s video was uploaded to his Facebook page.
Coupled with the new redistricting comes “a lot of implications and consequences,” says Gallagher.
At a previous meeting the Lea County Board of Commissioners supported a resolution opposing the state’s new congressional districts. At its March 10 meeting after hearing comments and concerns raised by state representatives and local officials, the board doubled down on its opposition to the state’s new redistricting plan and approved participating in litigation to oppose it.
The cost to the county of joining into this litigation was not mentioned by Gallagher.
Ordinance 98 Regulating Cannabis Activity in Lea County
At their March 10 meeting county commissioners approved, after conducting a public hearing, Ordinance 98. The ordinance regulates cannabis activity in Lea County. “The State of New Mexico passed cannabis legislation permitting some cannabis type activity though it did give cities and counties some discretion on regulating time, manner and place,” said County Manager Gallagher.
Gallagher did not outline the specifics of Ordinance 98. However, the ordinance is available at the Lea County Clerk’s office and will be published on the Lea County website, says Gallagher. However, the ordinance is not live on the Lea County website as of this article’s publication.
Ordinances 95, 96 and 97
The board of commissioners approved three other ordinances at Thursday’s meeting. A public hearing was conducted before the approval of each ordinance. All are available at the Lea County website.
Ordinance 95 deals with nuisances in the county. According to Gallagher, the new ordinance expands the authority of county staff to keep the county clean and free of litter.
Ordinance 96 deals with noise control outside of the city limits. The ordinance provides staff with more flexibility to deal with loud noise and music late at night and during the early morning hours.
Ordinance 97 is all about assuring that Lea County structures, some of which are in residential areas, are safe. The ordinance supersedes a former one and assures that “… abandoned, dangerous buildings are removed,” says Gallagher. The ordinance is important because Lea County has not before “had a process or law that allowed county staff to work on those kinds of properties.” Now county staff will be able to network with neighbors, property owners and concerned individuals to address the problem. “Staff can now mediate or remove those dangerous buildings,” states Gallagher.
Freeze On 22 Jobs Lifted
Of great importance to Lea County is the commissioners’ approval on March 10 of lifting the freeze on the filling of 22 county positions. According County Manager Gallagher, some $1.1 million has been budgeted to pay for the new workers.
Staff will be hired at the detention center, the road department, the fairgrounds, the events center and the planning department. Administrative and public safety roles will also be filled.
According to Gallagher, about 18 months ago the county, as a result of the pandemic and the slipping of oil prices, froze 36 positions. “It was the prudent thing to do,” he said. Over time 14 of these positions have been unfrozen and filled. Now with the pandemic situation less severe and oil prices stronger, the time is here to unfreeze the remaining 22 jobs. All of this is good news for Lea County folk.
Other Actions
Commissioners approved the survey and design work for the refurbishing of the portion of Wyoming street outside of the city limits of Jal. The firm Square Root Services will do the work.
Commissioners also approved measures about the construction of two new volunteer fire station buildings that the county will own – one in the Knowles Fire District and the other in the Maljamar & Monument Fire District. NCA Architects will be paid $170,000 for the design phase of the Maljamar fire station.
