County discusses capital outlay projects for FY 2019-2023

ALAMOGORDO — Otero County Commissioners discussed and received comments on the existing and proposed Infrastructure Improvement Plan (ICIP) at their July 13 regular county commission meeting.

County Manager Pamela Heltner reminded commissioners that it was time to start thinking about what projects they would include for capital outlay funding before their deadline on Sept. 2.

“It’s that time of year to review our capital improvement plan,” Heltner told commissioners. “This is a plan only, this is not a request for final funding. However, you need to keep in mind when you’re requesting capital outlay this year that those projects must be on the ICIP as well as some of the grants we sometimes apply to.”

The state-coordinated ICIP process encourages entities to plan for the development of capital improvements so that they do not find themselves in emergency situations, but can plan for, fund, and develop infrastructure at a pace that sustains their activities.

Some of the projects that commissioners voted on last year for their ICIP Fiscal Year 2019-2023 include the Emergency Operations Center, the Timberon Fire Station, Florida Avenue improvements and Fairgrounds improvements.

Heltner said the Otero County Fair Board has not provided any input at this time regarding whether or not it wants to apply for funding.

“I do want to point out that Fairgrounds improvements were on last year, however, the Fair Board has not given me anything or given me indication that they want to apply for funding this year or last year,” she said.

According to the ICIP FY 2019-2023 project summary, the Fair Board was requesting funding for improvements that include electrical services, a sound system, parking lot repairs just to name a few.

To date, the Fairgrounds have received $2.3 million in funding. The Emergency Operations Center has received $310,000 and still needs $125,000 to complete the $435,000 project. The Timberon Fire Station project will cost a projected $700,000 and improvements to Florida Avenue will cost $488,000.

Commissioner Susan Flores recommended to remove the Fairgrounds improvements at this time although commissioners are not voting yet.

Heltner said before they discuss removing the Fairgrounds she would contact them first so the Fair Board can have a chance to submit a proposal for consideration.

“I will contact the Fair Board and ask them to submit a proposal like they’ve done in the past so we have current information,” Heltner said. “I don’t know if they still want to use this plan or not.”

Commissioners also discussed removing the Florida Avenue improvements after reviewing the improvements with the County Road Department and Emergency Services Department. Again, an official vote will not be taken until August.

Flores recommended they include adding a bridge on Riatta Road, a county road that is in desperate need of attention due to flooding hazards.

“I would like to add the Riatta Road bridge. I believe it was on before at one point for $2 million,” Flores said.

Heltner said commissioners will need to start prioritizing their list and begin voting in August.

“I’m not asking for a vote today, but the deadline is Sept. 2 and we will need to vote and prioritize this in August,” she said.