The McKinley County Board of Commissioners discussed a pair of amendments to a resolution from last year that pertains to the New Mexico Department of Transportation’s Local Government Road Fund. County Manager Anthony Dimas Jr. spoke for the item at the Feb. 5 regular meeting.
According to information given during the meeting, the FY19 CAP Funding prior to the amendment was $472,357, with $354,268 coming from a grant and $110,089 coming from a match.
The amount for FY19 CAP Funding after the amendments are approved will be $766,610, with $574,958.00 coming from a grant and $191,652 from a match.
Potential issues that could come up involve utility companies that the county has to work with. County Roads Superintendent Jeff Irving said that some of those companies could take months to respond to provide the proper certification for the work to be done.
According to Irving, the county has until June 30 to submit any applications needed for certification, but the county is actually aiming to have it submitted by April 30. The county will then have until the end of 2019 to finish projects with the funding.
Irving said that he believes that the county can get the required work done in time.
The Board of Commissioners shared his enthusiasm to use this opportunity to its fullest.
“[This funding] fell into our laps,” Commissioner Bill Lee said. “Let’s not lose it.”
Commissioner Billy Moore echoed that message to the room.
“I don’t want to give this money back when we are capable of finishing projects and spending that money,” he said.
The item was approved with a 3-0 vote.
Other items that were discussed at the meeting:
Budget amendments that include $50,000 to increase expenses for additional money granted to the Greater Gallup Economic Development Corporation, and $185,000 to increase budgeted revenues and expenses for the purchase of a Tender fire truck for McKinley West VFD were approved with a 3-0 vote.
Deputy County Manager Brian Money was appointed to the 2019 Rehoboth McKinley Christian Health Care Services Board with a 3-0 vote.
By Cody Begaye
Sun Correspondent
