Commission Meeting May 15 2025

The Chaves County Commission meeting held on May 15, 2025, included several procurement and budget-related discussions. Key procurement actions included the approval of a legal services contract (Agreement A-25-014) awarded to Stan Riggs for $9,375 monthly plus GRT, with a term from July 1, 2025, to June 30, 2026, and an option to auto-renew up to 2029. The commission also approved a franchise agreement ordinance (O-117) with Leaco Rural Telephone Cooperative Inc. to facilitate a $25 million federally funded fiber optic broadband project in Dexter and Hagerman areas, aiming to improve rural internet access. Budget adjustments and resolutions were approved, including a $75,000 DWI local grant agreement (A-25-015) for a full-time treatment provider, acquisition of a parcel of land adjacent to the Public Health Department for $18,000, and a resolution to pick up a 0.5% PERA employee contribution rate increase. The meeting featured a public hearing for the Infrastructure Capital Improvement Plan (ICIP) for fiscal years 2027-2031, discussing various infrastructure projects such as detention center security upgrades and courthouse roof replacement. Additionally, the commission ratified out-of-state travel for volunteer fire department members and approved annual alcohol distributor tax resolutions. Public comments addressed community events, broadband expansion, and road maintenance concerns. Overall, the meeting focused on advancing infrastructure, broadband expansion, legal services procurement, and budget management to support county operations and development.