Good morning everybody. I know we're
going to get started here in a few
minutes. So, um
just wanted to have everyone I know
probably seats are all taken, but get
everybody ready, but we'll start here in
the next uh 3 to four minutes.
Good morning everybody.
That's not a That's a pretty weak one
there.
There we go. Good morning, everybody. It
is 9:05 a.m. here on Tuesday, July 28th,
2026,
and we'll begin our uh regularly
scheduled agenda for the meeting for the
board of county commissioners. Our first
order of business is the invocation and
moment of silence. If you will join us
for that moment of silence, please
Thank you.
And if you're able to stand, please join
us in the pledge of
allegiance.
Pledge
algiance to the flag
of America to the stands.
All right, Randy, if you'll do a roll
call vote to determine quorum.
Commissioner Sheldo Ornandez
present.
Commissioner Kimble
present.
Commissioner Chaparo
present.
Vice Chair Gomedos.
Chair Sanchez
present. Right. The commission convenes
as the county board of county
commissioners and the county board of
finance in open session. Uh there will
be a couple of changes to the agenda.
Um, agenda item number five under
consent is going to be moved after
agenda item number 13 under action
items. And then agenda item number 11 is
being pulled from the agenda. It's a
presentation uh that will be rescheduled
for uh August meeting.
ACMS, are there any other changes to the
agenda?
No. No, sir.
All right. Then we'll move on. We got
our consent agenda items, items 1
through 4 and number six. If there's uh
any items that need to be pulled for
separate consideration.
Mr. Chair, I move that we approve the
consent agenda.
Second.
All right. I have a motion and a second
to approve the consent agenda items one
through four and number six.
There is no comment or questions. Randy,
if you'll do a roll call vote on agenda
items one through four and six.
Commissioner Sheldo Ornandez,
yes.
Commissioner Kimble,
yes.
Commissioner Chavaro,
yes.
Chair Sanchez,
yes.
We have two resolutions. Item number two
is resolution number 2026-91.
Item number 42026-92.
Thank you. All right. Next up is under
proclamations, agenda item number seven.
It's a recognition for Miss Debbie
Moore. It's for outstanding leadership
and service to the community.
And this is a recognition I almost
regret having to read despite it being
welld deserved. In this case, um, you
know, the the saying is parting is such
sweet sorrow. And in this case, it truly
is. Debbie, every community has people
who leave it better than they found it.
And Debbie Moore is one of those people.
As Debbie prepares to retire and leave
our community, we didn't want her to
leave without us acknowledging all she
has meant to Dona County.
Her accomplishments he are long as and
as you can measure, but with Debbie, it
has not just been about showing up to
add lines to her resume. Everything she
participates in, she believes in, stands
boldly in support of, this is what she
does for our community. and she has
cared for Donena County and the city of
Los Cusus and our entire Messiah Valley
wherever she went to advocate for us.
Debbie is her brings her ability to
bring people together. She's never been
interested in who gets the credit. Her
focus has always been in finding common
ground and moving the community forward.
That kind of leadership cannot be
measured on a resume. It's measured by
the trust the people place in you, the
respect you earn, and the relationships
you build over time. And Debbie has
earned all three. And if anybody has
ever worked with or around Debbie, you
see exactly those things, whether it's
working here locally in the community or
across the state. Debbie has
just has the respect of so many. and all
you have to do is say her name and
people's eyes light up because as soon
as you know and you mention her name,
they know who she is and how the type of
person she is.
We celebrate today not only an
outstanding career but also a person
who's made an unforgettable difference
in the lives of so many people
throughout Dona County and across
southern New Mexico. Debbie, I want to
say thank you for your professionalism,
for your personal investment of
yourself, into our community, and your
friendship uh through all these years. I
know you were one of the first people I
had the pleasure of meeting after
getting appointed back in 2019 to this
seat. And really, your example that
you've set for all of us, and you leave
some big shoes for Stacy to fill at the
Greater Las Chamber of Commerce.
It's a privilege to honor you today and
say have a a chance to say thank you for
all the contributions,
all the advocacy,
and I know there's a long list of of
superlatives that we can say next to
your name, but just want to say thank
you.
Stephen, if you Oh, sorry. Before there
any other comments before we read the
proclamation?
Oh, me. Okay. Mr. Chair, um Debbie, I
just want to say it is such an honor to
have you here today. Um we are going to
miss you deeply. Um, I we became very
close during the Los Cusus Economic
Recovery uh council through the city of
Los Cusus. And I think you and I talked
on the phone probably three times a week
for many months. And I will always
remember those because we we got a lot
of good work done. We were able to
collaborate. We were able to help small
business um through a really difficult
time. and the work that you've done in
Los Cusus and you know sitting on boards
with you and just being able to hear
what you think of and how you kind of
handle yourself and handle the ideas um
that flow through the chamber and throw
through business here. I think it's just
fantastic and you know I will deeply
miss you. This is going to be a hard one
for us, but I am so excited for the for
the work that you've done and to see
this community be able to carry it on in
the future. I just want to say you are
um an outstanding human. So, thank you
for being a part of our family and our
community.
Mr. Chair,
thank you. Good morning, everyone. and
Debbie, thank you so much for your
tireless contributions and for truly
recognize recognizing what this county
is all about. Small businesses, three
employees, five employees, 10, 20
employees at a time until we hire more
and more people. And you truly recognize
that and I appreciate you so much.
Mr. Chair, if I could, Debbie, I I've
known you quite a long time and I know
there are so many good things saying
being said about you and I I agree with
all of them, but what I'd like to see
most of all is enjoy your retirement. It
is very welld deserved. Good luck and
thank you for everything you've done for
this county and the city and even
changing Santa Fe days in S in Las Cruz
days in Santa Fe to Miss Valley days in
in Santa Fe. That was an important step,
too. So, thank you for everything and
enjoy.
Clerk.
Sure. Thank you, uh, Commissioner Chair
Sanchez. Um, Debbie, I would just like
to personally thank you for being so
welcoming. I remember when I was
appointed at clerk in 2018, you and I
went to lunch and we talked about how
relationships being the cornerstone of
leadership and connecting. And I know
during your time, your tenure here in
Las Cusus, you um experienced one of the
biggest tragedies that a person should
have to, but instead of um going inward,
you went outward and I think you
received so much love and support and
appreciation for the dedication you have
and continue and will continue to have.
I will miss you and the good news is I
do not think we will uh necessarily lose
contact but know that you have earned
the right to relax and have my ties on
the beach and read and do whatever you
want. We will miss you dearly but your
impact will be felt um for generations
here in Los Cruus. So thank you very
much
Stephen.
All right. Thank you Mr. Chair. I am uh
pleased but saddened to read this.
Presented to Debbie Moore in special
recognition for a legacy of leadership.
Debbie Moore is recognized for her
outstanding leadership and dedicated
service as president and chief executive
officer of the Greater Los Cru's Chamber
of Commerce.
Throughout her career, she has
strengthened businesses, championed
economic development, and fostered
partnerships that have benefited Donana
County and communities across New
Mexico. Her unwavering commitment to
workforce development, including her
support of the high school summer
internship program has helped connect
local students with meaningful career
opportunities while building a stronger
future workforce. Through her ability to
bring people together, she has inspired
collaboration, encouraged innovation,
and strengthened relationships across
the public and private sectors.
Whether mentoring a small business
owner, encouraging an emerging community
leader, or bringing community partners
together, Debbie has always led with
grace, humility, and a servant's heart.
As Debbie begins a well-earned
retirement, Donana County expresses its
deepest gratitude for her lasting
contributions. While her leadership will
be greatly missed, her legacy will
continue through countless businesses,
community leaders, and young people
whose lives she has positively
influenced. We wish her many years of
happiness with her family and every
success in this next chapter. Debbie,
come on up.
[applause]
Yeah, it doesn't matter.
Yes, I had to get a box of Kleenexes.
First of all, thank you for your kind
words.
You know, they say there are moments
that take your breath away. This is one
of those.
And Amanda, thank you for talking about
the greatest loss. Bill, this community
surrounded me in 2018 when uh Bill
passed away. And I think that made this
community always a strong part of my
future, my present. And people in the
grocery store would ask me how I was
doing. I got cars from people I didn't
know. But more than anything, when we
came here in 2016, we did want to make a
difference, impact lives, help
businesses, but more than anything,
influence our young people in so many
ways. And I think that's why I just
dearly love the internship program
because it does make a difference. And
so as I look at 10 years here, 40-year
career, I'm not sure what I'm going to
do on on September 1st when I don't get
up and get get ready. You know, they
said you have to retire something to to
something. Well, I'm retiring to a knee
replacement. Um moving to be in Oklahoma
with my children. Lots of changes going
on. [snorts]
But it's so great to have finished my
career here.
The love I felt for this community,
there's no words to describe it. And the
kind words you all said and means so
much to me. I would just say carry on,
move forward. And yes, Commissioner
Shaparo, there's so many wonderful small
businesses out there. when we worked
with COVID with the grants. Um,
ironically, Stacy worked with me and now
she's my successor on that and so
there's so many so small business as you
know is a heartbeat of of who we are as
Americans and of our nation and we we
made it through co and now's the time to
grow. So I wish you the best of luck.
Thank you for your support, for your
kindness all through my tenure here. So,
thank you very much.
[applause]
Uh, it cannot be moved.
Yes. Ready? One, two, three. Another
one.
Don't go anywhere.
All right.
Yeah, that's it.
Yeah.
Okay.
Next order of on the agenda is to do
public input. Uh during public input,
each person that will be called up the
will be given two minutes to speak. If
you're here for a specific agenda item
for action items, we ask that you please
wait for that action item to be up for
discussion.
We ask that everybody be professional,
respectful conduct and require and when
when really is required when addressing
the commission, attending these
meetings.
Uh if there's any degrading,
threatening, slanderous, or disruptive
behavior, that is strictly prohibited
and violation of these guidelines may
result in removal from the meeting at
the chair's discretion.
We I know there's a lot of people here
for public input. We did have the sheet
out for the signup sheet out. Uh we are
going to be given the the large number
of folks here. We're going to be
allowing 30 people to speak. Uh it'll be
had and a first come from the top to the
bottom. First come first serve. Like I
said, each person will have two minutes.
And so with that, uh, Randy,
if there please, no disruptions during
this time. Please,
Randy, if you'll go ahead and start with
the first name and we'll ask that person
to come up and speak for uh, two
minutes.
Members of the commission, Chair
Sanchez, if you're a worker on Project
Jupiter, please stand up. What you see
behind us are your constituents, the
people that were asking who is
benefiting from this project. Last two
weeks ago when I came before you, I
asked if we could do it in the night
time so you could see your constituents.
This time, everybody who's standing
voluntarily came so you guys could get a
visual who's actually benefiting from
this project. People like Roxanna Madon,
a first period apprentice who is a
graduate from Chaparal High School who
just started this week working with her
dad on project Jupiter as a construction
worker as a union carpenter. We're
talking about how are we benefiting from
it? Let's talk about gross receipts tax.
Donana County used to average 1.2 a
month in GRT.
Now, since this project has started, it
has skyrocketed to 13.2 million dollars
a month.
That's that is how a community benefits
from this. That is how the county is
benefiting from this. Talk to every
person that owns a restaurant near that
project. The hotel workers
with this GRT tax that that gives the
county now money to do what? Give
teachers raises, firefighters raises,
police officers raises. This is what
we're talking about.
Stop the disruptions, please.
The disruption is just listen to your
constituents who are actually benefiting
from this. People are going to come up
and speak against it. What are we
replacing those $13 million with? Dona
Anna is benefiting from it. This is just
the beginning. Thank you guys for the
commissioners who have supported this
project. Behind us is your constituents
that are not able to come all the time.
But trust me when I tell you, New Mexico
and Dona County is benefiting from this.
This is changing for us. Thank you guys
for supporting this project. Thank you.
[applause]
Sarah Morales.
Good morning.
Good morning. I'm Sarah Morales. I live
in District 4. Thank you for this
opportunity. Um, I have read the project
governance and compliance documents
posted on the county website. After all
of this, I still have two questions
about the project. Number one, what will
Project Jupiter's data collection be
used for? When I look at Oracle's
primary functions, those are listed as
training and operating of AI models,
cloud computing, and storage and
enterprise databases. In other words, it
is a utility used by other companies to
meet their AI and storage needs. There
are a lot of good things that AI can do,
but it is also used for such programs as
graphite, the program acquired by DHS to
take control of people's phones and
search their devices and social media
without their consent. Oracle just
signed a contract with the DoD. It could
be used to analyze intelligence data or
it could be used for automated weapons
deployment. It could be used to mine
cryptocurrency for the benefit of
corporations. The truth is the
commission does not know how the data
will be used and I doubt that they will
share that information with us. My
second question, what penalties are in
place for yaka growth infrastructure and
red chili's A throughD um if they don't
meet their promises to us? Um I have
read the county documents like I said
they do state there are some clawing
back and non-dispersement of funds
should the companies not meet certain
requirements. However, those include
references to reports and not to actual
numbers such as failure to actually
provide the minimum 750 FTE jobs to hire
loc and to hire locally. My research
shows as few as 540 employees can um can
run a data center the size of project
Jupiter. What if the companies decide
that a closed loop cooling system will
be too expensive once they've already
started installation or that the fuel
cells are insufficient to meet the
energy requirements for the project?
What if the air quality permit or future
environmental studies make the project
infeasible? What happens if they go out
of business? Are there penalties in
place for these scenarios?
Thank you.
Marco Valjo.
Good morning, commissioners.
Good morning.
Uh, my name is Marco Ajo Jr. Uh I'm the
director of partner relations for combat
fighting championship or CFC which has
grown to become the fifth largest sports
organization in the borderlex alongside
Chihuahua locomotive braos and the
rhinos. I'm also the executive director
of the CC Foundation where our mission
is simple building champions in the
community through MMA by providing uh
scholarships, mentorships and
opportunities for young people. When I
look at project Jupiter I don't just see
a new data center. I see families moving
here, young professionals starting
careers and businesses choosing to
invest in our community. As someone who
spent the last several years building
relationships with local businesses,
nonprofits, and community leaders, I
believe projects like this create
incredible opportunity, not just for
econom e economic growth, but for
community growth. One thing is important
to me is making sure these these
employees and their families become part
of the southern New Mexico. We have
incredible local businesses,
restaurants, nonprofits, schools,
community organizations that make this
region special. The sooner we connect
new employ new companies with those
organizations, the stronger our
community becomes. At CFC, I've seen
firsthand what happens when people come
together. Every every event brings
together thousands of fans, business
owners, first responders, veterans,
sponsors, and community partners. Those
relationships often turn into business
opportunities, friendships, and
long-term partnerships. Growth shouldn't
benefit just one company or one
industry. It should create opportunities
for local restaurants, hotels, services,
uh, providers, nonprofits, small
businesses, and organizations that are
already investing in the community every
day. For me, this is about more than
infrastructure. It's about creating a
place where people want to stay, raise
their families, build businesses, and
become active members in the community.
In closing, projects like Jupiter aren't
just investments in technology. They're
investments in people. If we welcome
these new companies, build uh
relationships early, intentionally
connect with them to our local
organizations and businesses, will
create stronger southern New Mexico for
everyone. And that's the kind of
community we're all trying to build.
Thank you.
[cheering]
[applause]
Raymond Madson.
Good morning.
Thank you for the time. Um, one, I would
like to let you know that I was born and
raised in New Mexico. I I am an avid
capitalist, okay? which means that um I
like money. I like money investments. I
probably have an investment in each one
of your districts. But what I have to
say is that this project Jupiter is in
the wrong place. It's using the wrong
resources and it should not be put in
here. Whoever let that come in is
obviously getting, you know, what could
I say? Um there's there's they're
getting money. There's grift going on.
So, whoever brought in this project and
rushed it through definitely needs to
answer to the public. The last thing
that I have to say is
I love New Mexico. I love Los Cruus. I
was born and raised here and I want to
see all of us profit. I want to see all
of us healthy and I want to see all of
us growing. And this project is actually
not going to give this to you. Okay?
There is no guarantee for the jobs. Uh
there is no guarantee for any of the
investments and they can pull out at any
time and leave the county stuck with
this infrastructure that we don't know
what to do with. So please please reject
it. I'm not saying I'm against I'm not
saying that [clears throat]
let's stop the interruption. I'm sorry
sir. I just you have people interrupting
so I apologize.
Okay. I'm not against data centers. I'm
against the one we're putting in here
and it's going to damage the people and
the eventually it's not going to be good
for us. It's going to be short-term
gain. I'm glad people are getting jobs
off of it now. But are they going to
invest in back into the community or are
they going to move out? That's all I
have to say. Thanks.
Thank you.
[applause]
Cindy Haber.
Good morning.
Good morning, commissioners.
Um, I just really want to mention to you
guys,
um, to those of you who voted to approve
Project Jupiter, you had been played.
And for those of you who vote voted
against it, thank you for your
thoughtful consideration
on whether they
are going to be an honorable company.
Um, I have found that they have not been
transparent
about anything they've told us about the
water usage, the air, our economy,
payer rates, and that I want to go on to
my other page because I don't have long
to talk and tell you what I'm asking of
you. I am asking for you to ask the
developer or New Mexico to wait put a
moratorum on this until we evaluate the
water use, the energy use, emission
demands,
rate payer impact and community
uh impact.
I also want to mention something about
the word trust.
We trusted you.
You trusted them.
We've made mistakes.
Let's all correct our mistakes.
Um,
and I forgot my closing.
Oh, we the pe people of New Mexico
believe we have we need strong
guardrails to protect our environment,
livelihood, health, democratic rights.
Thank you,
Sher Reinhardt.
Good morning.
Hello, my name is Sheri Reinhardt and I
spent 38 years of my work life in tech,
bringing new technologies to employees
and consumers. I'm not against
technological advancement and I've
always seen tech as tools to improve our
lives. But we also know that for every
application there is potential for
misuse and abuse. We don't learn from
our mistakes. I remember when the
internet exploded and there were no
guardrails. I was in tech then. Do you?
I can only speak for myself. But this is
not about AI which has the potential for
some positive applications. No doubt.
But there are no guard rails in place at
this time.
The reason I oppose this behemoth and
that's what it is data center is that we
don't yet know what we don't know and
you are experimenting without knowing
all the potential dangers. You can
advance technology without harming the
environment. There is absolutely no
reason to build a 1400 acre spread. You
have yet to release data on the noise
and vibration decimal thresholds because
either you don't know or because no one
has ever built something this huge or or
you do know and you're afraid of scaring
people with this information.
Either way, you have tried to sneak this
in under the radar and people have a
right to know what you are doing.
The developers, Oracle, made some rookie
mistakes. Everyone knows that you use
focus groups to determine the best way
to sell a product and get su consumers
to buy in. Perhaps they underestimated
their audience, but you don't use a New
York access actress to do your
commercials and use AI to make it look
like you shot it in New Mexico.
Marketing 101.
Thank you, ma'am. Thank you, ma'am.
Thank you, ma'am. Your time is done.
Thank you.
Thank you, ma'am. You're done. Thank
you. Thank you, ma'am. That's enough.
[cheering]
Daniel
Bambulas.
[applause]
Good morning, chair, commissioners,
county managers, and committee members.
U my name is Daniel Bambulis. Thank you
for allowing me to come here to speak
today.
I'm here today in support of reasonable
data center development in Dona Ana
County and throughout southern New
Mexico.
This simply isn't about building another
large facility. It's about creating
opportunity for our community to attract
investment, create good paying jobs,
strengthen our infrastructure, and give
the people of southern New Mexico a
chance to participate in the
technologydriven economy of the future.
Products of this scale can create
opportunities for local construction
workers, electricians, plumbers, fire
sprinkler fitters, equipment operators,
engineers, technicians, and many other
skilled trades. And beyond construction,
they can create long-term careers and
bring new businesses, investments into
our community.
But supporting development does not mean
ignoring our environment. Quite the
opposite, actually. We should expect
modern data centers to use the best
technology available to reduce their
environmental impact. Today's facilities
can be designed around highly efficient
cooling systems, advanced energy
management, improved power usage
effectiveness, water saving
technologies, and renewable energy. The
Department of Energy notes that highly
efficient data centers can approach a
PUE of 1.0. While advanced cooling
technologies are specifically developed
to reduce energy consumption and carbon
emissions,
Los Cusus has an opportunity to demand
this development be done the right way
with transparency, reasonable water
management, efficiency energy usage,
clean power, and meaningful and
meaningful opportunities for local
workers. We should not be afraid of the
progress. We should make sure or we
should make sure progress works for the
people who already call southern New
Mexico home. Let's welcome investment,
protect our resources, create
opportunity, and build a stronger future
for Los Cusus. Thank you guys for your
time today. Thank you for your
consideration. Have a great afternoon.
[cheering]
Sebastian Martinez,
Vaba,
sorry.
Good morning.
Good morning. Uh my name is Sebastian
Martinez Vijva. Uh as an attorney, I'm
paid to think critically. I look at
trends and immediately search for the
liability, the catch, and the hidden
risks. So when the conversation around
Project Jupiter began to dominate the
news, my first instinct was caution.
When reviewing the reality of Project
Jupiter, the conclusions are clear. We
aren't voting on a science fiction
concept that may or may not happen. We
are voting on the type of critical
infrastructure that's already been
constructed all over the country.
Data centers are the physical engines
that make AI work and AI is already
here. The practical benefits of AI are
incredibly real. It is the technology
allowing our local health care systems
to diagnose patients faster with greater
accuracy. It is a tool helping our
regional small businesses predict
inventory and cut costs. It is what will
eventually allow our city services to
operate with the unprecedented
efficiency saving taxpayers dollars.
In my professions,
we consistently weigh risk against
reward. Today, the greatest economic
liability our community faces isn't
embracing artificial intelligence. It is
being left behind by it. Even if you
disagree with me about the merits of AI,
it's already here. Project Jupiter
ensures our region isn't just a
spectator in the future economy, but a
foundational part of it as well as a
beneficiary.
It is a sound verdict for our area, and
I strongly urge you to support it.
Thank you.
[cheering]
[applause]
Renee is
good morning.
Good morning, commissioners. Uh, my name
is Renee Mas. I um I have been working
in telecommunications for over 30 years.
So, I've seen um technology evolve
from um you know the first years of uh
cellular technology to what has become
now. So as uh the previous person said
you know AI is here um and it will uh
bring a lot of benefits but outside of
the technology
um project Jupiter is not just a data
center what I see is it's a foundation
um investment project that will bring a
lot of benefits to the community. uh
what will follow with the improvements
to the infrastructure, highways, uh
other investments,
uh everything else that comes along with
it. So, just to make it, you know, uh
short, there's a popular saying that
says, uh build it and they will come.
So, that's uh how I see project Jupiter
and how it will benefit the community.
Thank you.
[cheering]
[applause]
Veronica Rosales.
Good morning.
My name is Veronica Rosales and thank
you for the opportunity speak as support
of Project Jupiter.
When people hear the term data center,
they may not immediately see its value,
but for our community, it represents
long-term economic growth and
opportunity.
Project Jupiter is more than a building.
It will generate significant
project
property tax revenue to help support
schools, first responders, and essential
public services. all about creating
minimal traffic and placing little
demand on local infrastructure.
Please
with stop of the
the next the next time I'm hearing that
we'll have to start asking people to to
leave. This is a second
chance Mr. Chair if
Thank you. Ladies and gentlemen,
this is going to be a long meeting and
this is your house.
Whether we oppose or whether we're for
whatever issue that this commission will
be voting on today, but this is our
house. So, let us proceed with respect
and courtesy for all of us.
Everyone that signed up will be given
the opportunity to speak, but remember,
we're here and it is our house. So let
us proceed with respect. Thank you.
[applause]
Thank you. Commissioners, please
proceed.
The project will also create
opportunities for local businesses
including electricians, AVA AC
contractors, security companies, and
other skilled trades. This is a chance
to turn vacant land into a long-term
economic asset that will benefit our
community for years to come. I
respectfully ask for your support for
Project Jupiter. Thank you.
Thank you.
[applause]
Cesaros
Good morning.
Good morning. Uh, thank you for the
opportunity to speak with you guys and
for considering our opinions. I'm here
today because I support Project Jupiter
and the opportunity it represents for
Donaya County. Like many people, I care
deeply about our community. I am part of
this community. Me and my family,
including my 5-year-old, is part of this
community. our natural resources and the
future we're building for our families
is of the utmost importance to all of
us. I understand why people have
questions about this project. Concerns
about the water, energy, and growth that
serves honest answers and strong
oversight. But I also believe we can pro
protect what makes our community special
while with welcoming, responsible
investments.
Project Jupiter will create construction
jobs. We see all the guys here that took
time out of their busy day to come here
and and and speak their mind.
Permanent technical positions and
opportunities for local businesses that
support projects like this. It will also
strengthen our tax base helping fund
infrastructure and public services are
growing community needs. If we expect
companies to be transparent,
environment, environmentally
responsible, and committed to our
community, then projects like this can
become a long-term asset for Dana
County. I believe our community can
embrace innovation without losing a
sight of our values.
Let'si continue asking tough questions,
hold this project accountable, and make
sure it delivers real benefits for the
people who live here. Thank you. Thank
you. [applause]
[applause]
Bonnie Idalgo.
Good morning.
Good morning, commissioners.
I work on this project, but I'm also a
resident of the Donana community.
Because I live here, I care about the
long-term future of our county just as
much as anyone else. I support this
project because I believe it represents
responsible investment in our community.
It creates good paying jobs for skilled
workers
and supports local businesses. If you've
ever worked in local government, as I
did in the past,
you know that securing state or federal
funding is often a lengthy and highly
competitive pro process. Projects like
this help reduce that reliance by
creating long-term economic growth at
the local level.
Over time, they expand the county's tax
base, generating additional revenue to
support essential public services such
as roads, schools, and emergency
services while also diversifying where
that revenue comes from
and strengthening the county's financial
stability.
As someone who works on this project and
goes home here every day, I want to see
it built I want to see it built
responsibly and in a way that benefits
the community we all share. Thank you.
Thank you. [applause]
[applause]
Angel Mendula.
[cheering]
Good morning.
Good morning everybody. Like to thank
everybody for taking our time. So my
name is Mendosa. I'm one of the locals
to the project. I'd like to start off by
saying that I'm speaking for myself, but
I'm sure that many in this room can hold
truth that this project has been a
positive impact to us, our families, and
the community. So, I served eight years
in the military. I came back from a
deployment last year where I swapped
over to the reserve side and
transitioning to civilian life. It was I
found it difficult to find employment
that would make ends meet. While I went
on orders earlier this year, my wife was
able to attend a local career fair where
we were presented with countless
employment opportunities. I chose one
that would benefit us the most. We have
a home in Santa Teresa where we now live
comfortably because of many financial
stressors being alleviated.
To end, I just like to say that we are
thankful for this opportunity and would
like for everyone to think about how
many locals would be negatively impacted
if loss of employment if this project
did not move forward. Thank you. Thank
you, [applause]
[cheering]
Alexis Rodelas.
Good morning.
Good morning and thank you for the
opportunity. My name is Alexis and I'm
here to express my support for Project
Jupiter and the opportunity it
represents for this entire region.
We all know it has already created a
significant amount of construction jobs
and will create long-term employment,
workforce training, and new
opportunities by diversifying our
regional economy and bringing us into
the AI era. The impact will expand from
Santa Teresa to Las Cruises, El Paso,
Ensil Huarees, which is where I come
from.
which are a workforce, supply chains,
educational institutions, and most
importantly, an economic future. While I
may not agree with every concern that
has been raised or every conclusion that
has been drawn, I want to speak directly
to the people who have raised questions
about water, energy, air quality, and
transparency. Your concerns are
legitimate, and your fighting spirit is
reasonable up to a point. We live in a
harsh ecosystem where scarcity is second
nature. I understand why when a project
of this scale arrives, parts of the
community start asking how natural res
resources will be protected. And I've
seen the project answered those very
concerns in several forums.
And even then, I understand why some of
you choose distrust over facts because
that is the nature of profound change
and every generation has faced their own
scary crossroads. So my message to all
of you attending meetings, organizing,
and asking difficult questions is
simple. Your input matters, but not as a
way to stop it from happening, but as a
way to refine the project and adapt it
to this community. I strongly believe
that your continued involvement will
ultimately help project Jupiter. And in
many ways, it already has. Because
supporting Project Jupiter is welcoming
the opportunity while asking questions,
reviewing all the environmental
safeguards already set by the project
and a long-term commitment to oversee
the benefits for everyone. Thank you.
Thank you.
Dario Leaga
Good morning.
Good morning, commissioners. I'm
speaking as a private individual. I live
in Seduarees and I say that on purpose.
This region doesn't stop at a river or a
state line. Las Cruzes, El Paso, Donana
County, Huarees, we are one region with
with borders drawn through the middle of
it. What happens here doesn't stay here.
I understand the concern about Project
Jupiter. I share this desert, too. I
know what water means here and that this
land is survival, identity, and home.
I'm sorry. Can you pull them? Can we
have the individual here with the green
tape removed, please? This is the third
time she's interrupted or they've
interrupted and
[applause]
This we're not
the continued disruptions are not going.
We've asked, we've warned we cannot
continue to have disruptions during the
meeting.
How come they can't interrupt and that
lady can't
you can
Amen.
I
We want a hospital nearby but complain
about the construction. We want better
roads but resend the detour. We demand
modern technology with while rejecting
the foundations behind it. We blindly if
when we blindly say no to projects like
this we tell our community that they
have to leave to find modern careers
because we refuse to build the
foundation here. I see praise Jupiter as
a border plex investment. Jobs here jobs
here reach Lasuses El Paso and Huarez
alike. When one part of the region grows
we all feel it. That doesn't mean we
stop asking hard questions about water
energy or accountability. We shall keep
asking. Support isn't a blank shake.
It's trust and every step of the way. We
don't have to choose between the home we
love and the future we build. This
region can do both together. Thank you.
Thank you.
[applause and cheering]
Eric Montgomery.
Good morning.
Good morning, Mr. Chair. Good morning,
commissioners. Thank you for the
opportunity to come and speak before
you. I wear many hats. The one that I'm
going to wear today is chair of the
board of directors for the Messia Valley
Economic Development Alliance. Just
wanted to take a moment to uh uh give
you an update. We had our board retreat
this last week.
I got time to burn.
We had a board retreat this last week.
Um, and the board of directors met uh in
addition to doing a tour of uh project
Jupiter and uh learning about the scale
and scope of construction. Um the
numbers do the numbers do not
the numbers do not do the project
justice. uh the scale of the buildings,
the employment, the investment,
absolutely incredible. But in addition
to that, we did our annual review of
Mvita's marketing efforts, uh staff
performance, organizational performance.
We set this year's uh board metrics. Uh
also uh really doubled down the focus
for this year, which is relationships
between our public partners and our
private sector partners. And so to that
extent it's a val valuable opportunity
for me to be here today and to uh ask
knowing that um in August we'll be
coming before you to do a year-end close
out on our contract and beyond
performance metrics if there are other
trends or uh concepts that you're
wanting to see or hear as a part of that
I encourage each and every one of you to
reach out to me and we'll make sure to
incorporate that in the presentation.
for your benefit. Thank you so much for
your time. Appreciate you.
Thank you. [applause]
[cheering]
Bethany Williams.
Good morning.
Good morning, chair and commissioners.
As you know, my name is Beth Williams. I
am the president and CEO of the Bridge
of Southern New Mexico. Every day I work
alongside employers, educators, and
students to create career pathways that
allow southern New Mexicans to build
meaningful careers right here at home.
However, I grew up in eastern New
Mexico, where the oil and gas industry
has been a major part of the economy for
generations, as well as a significant
portion of our state's revenue.
Like many transformational industries,
it has generated debate. But what I
witnessed growing up was opportunity.
People found good paying jobs whether
they entered the workforce after high
school, [snorts]
learned a skilled trade, earned a
certificate, or pursued a college
degree. Those careers allowed families
to stay in New Mexico, buy homes, and
build better futures. I believe southern
New Mexico now has the same opportunity.
The Oracle data center project has
already created hundreds of construction
jobs and thousands to be expected, which
I have witnessed recently as I was
fortunate enough to be part of the MVita
tour,
as well as hundreds
of highpaying jobs that will range from
electricians, heavy equipment operators,
welders, other skilled trades to IT
professionals, engineers, cyber security
specialists, data center technicians,
operations managers, and business
professionals
at the bridge. We're already working
with school districts, higher education
partners, apprenticeship programs, and
employers to prep prepare southern New
Mexico for these careers. I respectfully
urge you to support this project, but it
because it res represents more than a
data center. It represents opportunity.
Thank you for your time.
Thank you.
[applause]
Rammon Hakobo.
Lyn more.
Good morning.
I'm Lyn Mo. I note that there is no
agenda packet information to support
agenda item 8 related to what's termed
Project Jupiter's presentation and
update. We've been promised detailed
information on Project Jupiter's jobs
numbers at today's meeting. We've been
promised at a minimum two overdue
quarterly reports. Commissioner Gomero
said at the last commission meeting that
she expected Project Jupiter's written
materials to be posted on the county's
website prior to the meeting so everyone
could study them. A check of the website
shows nothing that could possibly be
called documentation supporting jobs
numbers or this presentation today.
Where is the documentation to support
what these project Jupiter
representatives say today?
This gives the impression that the
project Jupiter people are just making
it up. It also gives an impression of
disrespect and disdain for the residents
of Donana County and the board of county
commissioners. Whether we support the
project or whether we oppose the
project, project Jupiter representatives
are not providing the required
documentation to us. Unfortunately, this
does not bode well from a compliance
perspective. failure to submit to the
county something as straightforward as a
quarterly jobs report, one of the first
compliance deadlines in the agreements
project Jupiter representatives signed
with the county, raises the spectre of a
pattern of non-compliance ahead.
Creation of good jobs was one of the
chief reasons touted for supporting the
project. But now it appears that project
Jupiter representatives are
uncooperative in providing required
documentary evidence of whatever jobs
have been created. This is not
sufficient. This is not sufficient for
the folks of Donana County. Thank you
for this opportunity to speak.
Thank you.
[cheering]
All right.
[applause]
Orin
Orin Pernell,
Orin Parnell.
Hi, my name is Orin Pernell.
She's been removed.
Okay.
Today I want to speak
Pernella is not here.
You're Hannah.
I'm Hannah.
So you're not prell. [clears throat]
I'm not. I'm very I'm very um I'm very
upset that I am not going to be given a
chance to speak today. Um and I heard
from Susanna Chaparo.
And I'm sorry. We've got to go down the
list of those that signed up or signed
up for the public input.
So
that that's enough.
I'm sorry. I'm sorry. This is We're
following the process. I'm sorry,
Hannah. What is the next?
That's enough of this.
She is later.
Let's
be respectful of each other so that we
can continue this. This is a public
meeting. We want you guys to
participate, but everyone here is an
adult. Please be respectful.
I
We have continued to warn those that are
disrupting this meeting that they can
will and will be removed from this
chambers. We are trying to conduct a
meeting. We ask for respect
and that is exactly what we've done.
Thank you. The next name, please.
Heraldo.
All right. Next.
Heraldo Munoz.
Gustavo Munoz.
Gustavo Mos
Pedro Gonzalez.
Mr. Chair, if I may, I know that there
is an overflow overflow room.
Is are the persons there able to hear
us? call out their names.
There's no They're outside.
I've been notified that there is nobody
in the overflow room.
Oh, thank you.
I'm not sure for I'm not for sure if
somebody showed up later.
Thank you. Thank you, Brandy.
Francisco Gonzalez,
Javier Alberto Lopez,
Raul Baron,
How's it going?
Good morning.
My name is Rahul Baronal, local 1319
Carpenters Union. Originally from El
Paso, moved to Albuquerque for work. Got
the chance to work at a data center out
there. When out there, I did notice all
the jobs it brought to the community.
But now with project Jupiter happening,
it gave me the opportunity to move back
home, be closer to my family, and help
others uh
help others learn a trade around me with
a good pay. I support Project Jupiter.
Thank you.
Thank you. [screaming]
Marco Choa.
Good morning.
My name is uh Marcos Oshoa. I come from
Albuquerque, New Mexico. I work here at
this project.
Sir, excuse me, Mr. Would you mind
removing your glasses? Thank you. All
right. My my name is Marcos Oshoa and
I'm come from uh Albuquerque, New
Mexico. I work here at this project. I
support Project Jupiter and I would like
for this country to grow and thrive and
want to thank everyone for this project
and all the opportunities. It's helped
me and my family with a steady paycheck.
Let's build this project and all the
future data centers and projects coming
up. Thank you. Thank you.
Rocky Rocky Bagos.
I'm sorry. You know, I'm sorry.
The the gentleman here that keeps that's
yelling on the left.
Yvani.
Hey. Hey. There was a threat.
He he needs to be removed now.
organized
labor. Amen. All
right. Next name, please.
Rocky Rocky Baggers.
That's a That's enough from Please,
before we move other people, please.
Rocky,
go ahead, Brandy.
Say it again. Say it again.
He's right there.
I know, but just for the
Rocky Bagas.
Yes, that's me. Okay.
Good morning.
My name is Rocky Bakus.
Commissioners, chair, ladies and
gentlemen. I'm not here to talk about
Project Jupiter. So, I I just a
different topic if that's allowed. And
uh I want to thank you commissioners for
what you've done to provide funds for
the case with El Paso Electric. That
case is over 6,000 pages. There are
multiple uh expert witnesses. Uh there's
a lot of testimony that's being done and
uh I just want to thank you for putting
up the funds to be able to have a very
valid and good cross examination and so
forth. And without what you've done and
your stepping forward with funds for the
attorneys that you've hired and the
experts that you've hired, it would be a
very one-sided situation uh trying to
fight with both arms tied behind you.
So, I just wanted to come here and thank
you today. Your leadership is very
impressive. The fact that a 73.1%
residential rate increase was filed
would be devastating to this community.
It's not over yet. There's a long ways
to go. There was a extension recently of
at least another 20 days before
testimony is due. But I just want to
give you an update and say thank you. I
appreciate it. The community will thank
you. It's important. Thank you very
much.
Robert Albert.
[snorts]
Good morning.
Good morning, Chair Sanchez and
commissioners. My name is Robert Ober
and I'm here today to speak in strong
support of project Jupiter. New Mexico
stands at a historic crossroads. For
generations, our communities have looked
for ways to build a stronger econom
economic future without losing our
identity. Project Jupiter offers a
transformative opportunity with the
massive investment that finally brings
real tangible benefits to our region.
From the thousands of construction jobs
and hundreds of permanent high-paying
technical careers to long-term auxiliary
services that will support the data
center and subsequent economy.
This project has committed millions
directly to our local schools,
infrastructure upgrades, and public
services.
It means that our young people will no
longer have to leave New Mexico to find
great jobs in the modern tech economy.
They can build their lives and careers
right here at home. We have also seen
the project developers listen and adapt
by shifting their power plans to cleaner
fuel cell technology and utilizing
closed loop cooling systems with
non-pottable water. They have shown a
clear commitment to respecting our
environment and our resources.
Project Jupiter is an investment in our
future, our workforce, and our
communities. We should continue to
support smart growth and a brighter
tomorrow for New Mexico. Thank you,
chair and commissioners.
Thank you.
Uriel Aparaka.
Good morning, chair, county
commissioners. My name is Uriela
[snorts] Podaka and every day I have the
privilege of representing hardworking
men and women in the international unit
of painters and alley trades across New
Mexico. Every day I fight for one thing,
creating opportunities for New Mexico
families to earn a good living, buy a
home, and build a better future. That
mission is personal to me. I was a high
school dropout. I didn't know what my
future looked like. 10 years ago, I was
given the opportunity to work on a data
center project. And joining the union
was the best decision I have ever made.
That opportunity changed my life. It
gave me a career instead of just a job.
It allowed me to buy my first home at
just 20 years old. And it gave me hope
for my future. That's why Project
Jupiter means so much to me. I spent the
last 10 years working around data
centers. And I seen firsthand the
opportunities they create, not just for
workers, but for entire communities.
They create careers that allow families
to stay in New Mexico, buy homes, and
build a future. Today, we hear that
housing is becoming less affordable, and
that New Mexico needs more good paying
jobs. Then, an opportunity like Project
Jupiter comes along. I believe we should
do everything we can to make sure New
Mexico workers are the ones who benefit
from it. The project has gone through
the required review process and expected
to meet the environmental standards that
have been established. As a union, we're
committed to working with everyone
involved to help ensure New Mexico
workers and apprentices have every
opportunity to build this project. I
know there's a lot of information being
shared about Project Jupiter. My hope is
that we continue asking tough questions,
looking at the facts, and making
decisions based on evidence. I is here
I'm standing here today because someone
gave me an opportunity 10 years ago. My
hope is that Project Jupiter gives that
same opportunity to thousands of other
New Mexicans. Thank you. Thank you.
Derek Bachco.
Good morning.
I haven't started talking. Please reset
the clock.
Please reset the clock.
This is Derek Pacheco. I need you all to
know how dangerous NM Borderlex is. Sha
Joe Hernandez is on the board. Our
former uh manager was on the board. This
story starts in Eagle Mountain, Utah
with Iicani Tamba and Epho Peely. They
brought Meta to Mountain uh Desert
Mountain Utah. Now they are dealing with
eight data center projects total. If
anyone goes online and looks at their
air quality, it is worse than here. They
are 1.2 uh times over the limit that the
World Health Organization recommends is
safe. You let one data center in and you
let the floodgates open. I call on New
Mexico borderlex to abolish the people
that make the decisions on this dis and
on the city DIS USING TAXPAYER MONEY.
You paid $250,000
TO YOURSELVES TO SHOP THIS PLACE AROUND.
You almost brought Project Star Fox here
and now Meta is in El Paso dealing with
um angry neighbors over there that were
not disclosed to this mess. You people
knew about this a long time before the
PUBLIC BECAUSE YOU SIT ON THE BOARD THAT
BROUGHT THIS crap here using our money.
That's right. You need to step down. New
Mexico Borderlex needs to get off this
data center crap. And you all need to
stop looking at us funny like we're
idiots. You're putting New Mexicans
against New Mexicans. You're treating
everyone as stupid Mexicans.
Those are my words. That's the action
from this dis. You're treating us as
stupid.
Albert Lei.
What? Are you kidding me?
There was Don't forget
council
people here. I first want to notice that
I am not anti-UN.
Um I appreciate union workers. However,
with Project Jupiter, everybody keeps
talking about jobs, but we don't talk
about the jobs that may be displaced by
the amount of water and whatnot used by
Project Jupiter in terms of farmland, in
terms of the crops that are grown and
how much agriculture we may you lose
because of this project. The other thing
I want to mention is everybody keeps
talking about jobs. I don't know if any
of you ever know anybody who worked in
data centers. How many jobs are done by
remote that are not jobs here that will
take place in Dana County? I hear union
workers talk about uh jobs being
created. But how many of those folks
actually live in Dana County? How many
of them actually live in Santa Teresa?
You you don't hear that. My problem is I
don't know if any of you ever worked
with anybody in a data center. I used to
run I had my own computer company back
in Maryland where if you look at
Virginia, they have the most data
centers of any place in the country. I
had people work for me and data centers
doing building service for me. They
don't need a lot of people. You keep
talking about jobs, but they don't
exist. I get they do a lot of remote
work. The people I had worked for me
didn't work in Virginia. They worked in
Baltimore. They worked in other parts of
Maryland. They didn't work in Virginia.
And the problem I see with everybody
talking about all these jobs and how
they're going to create stuff. You don't
have actually people living in New
Mexico with those jobs operating data
centers. And that is something you all
need.
Thank you, SIR.
[applause]
A DELGADO MARTINEZ.
Delgado Martinez.
Good morning.
Good morning. [clears throat]
52 years ago, I took my first oath
and in the military like all of you who
took an oath for an office.
Okay? You took an oath to the people,
not to corporations,
not to presidents, not to parties, to
people, to your constituents, to me, to
those people.
What about you? You all you guys who
took money and all you guys who are
happy about, oh, you got your jobs. No,
I can tell you, I live long all long
enough to tell you that a lot of you,
your kids are going to not enjoy it.
Look at the environmental processing
that's going on happening in our area.
Are you blind? Are you that ignorant?
Are you money? Are you?
Cuz that's what you're doing. You're not
killing me. Hell, I'll be dating another
10 years. But there's a lot of kids and
and grandkids that are that will pay the
price.
Okay. I have a plan B
because when this goes wrong, I'm out of
here. But how many people are for so
fortunate? So how many New Mexicans are
so fortunate to have that plan B?
They don't.
And they depended on you. They depended
on you. They depended on you and on you
for your honesty,
your moral courage.
Not your chicken attitudes.
That's it.
Work.
Good morning.
Good morning. My name is Rick Varel and
I'm here on behalf of Quantis Services.
I lived in this region for most of my
life. After graduating high school, I
entered the workforce as an electrician
where I climbed the ranks getting my
journeyman license, working as a
foreman, project manager, and eventually
getting my master license. After that, I
spent 5 years in public education
teaching electrical technology and a CTE
program, training our community's youth
and providing them opportunities within
the electrical industry. Quantum
Services is partnering to launch a new
electrical school directly in support of
Project Minor and the broader
infrastructure. These electricians will
go on to feed our subsidiaries doing
high demand infrastructure work in the
region and throughout the nation. This
isn't a pro a program where students
take on debt and hope it pays off. This
is an earn while you learn model where
students earn a wage while they train.
Once they graduate, they are placed into
a job. One of those jobs being project
minor. I want to reiterate, we are not a
tech school that charges. We hire you,
train you, and put you to work. This
initiative will give opportunities to
those who do not see your four-year
degree in their path. It'll provide them
with well-paid, respected route into the
skillet of trades. These aren't just
jobs. These are careers. Careers that
build the infrastructure the state and
the surrounding region depend on power,
communications, and the electrical
systems that keep the area running and
growing. A strong trained labor force is
one of the most direct ways a city can
attract and support industry. When
employers know New Mexico has a pipeline
of skilled electricians, that's a
competitive advantage for economic
development. I stood on both sides of
this, as a working electrician and as a
teacher trying to prepare students for
that work. This partners uh this
partnership is how we close that gap.
Real training, real wages, and a
guaranteed job waiting at the end. Thank
you for your time.
Thank you,
Richard Ortega.
Cynthia Mendula.
Good morning.
I just want to say all this is so tiring
and so sad. I would just like to say
that the people shouldn't complain when
their children and the generations after
them get affected from the many
pollutants that this Danish center will
create. Thank you.
Thank you.
Jr. Gonzalez,
Wendy Shipley.
Good morning.
Good morning. Having only two minutes,
I'll get right to it. I respect our
local workers who benefit from solid
jobs. But what happens when the
construction of this project is
complete? Where do those jobs go?
What NOR's ordinances are in place
currently and how will the county manage
them? Do you have a fully funded
decommissioned bond in place for when
Open AI and Oracle abandon the currently
nonprofitable race for AI?
Do you have a plan for the five mile
bubble for when pets, family members,
cattle, children begin to suffer
illnesses or die?
Have you considered that Aaron
Brochovich has begun fighting each and
every company pushing for data centers?
She proved all of the propaganda wrong
once. Do you want to risk our
community's well-being this early in the
game? What happens when methane turbines
begin to show up to help facilitate the
heat transfers?
What is your plan for when local
residents cannot sell their properties
because of the AI centers? Memphis
already has this happening from Space
Colossus XAI and Colossus and Colossus
2. People cannot sell their homes or
move elsewhere for their health and
well-being.
Have you been in a server room? If you
know a server room, it is hot. How water
cooling in a closed circuit in a hot
desert? That's a recipe for disaster.
Sterling, Virginia, has a high-pitched
wine destroying sleep patterns for all
of their residents. This community, our
community, does not need these issues in
our backyard.
Only 14% of communities throughout the
United States say a data center is a
benefit to their community. And there
are currently
Thank you. [applause]
And with that, that'll be the last
participant in public input this time.
I [cheering]
I JUST
be returning from recess.
The next item on the agenda is
commission input. Commissioners, any
input at this time?
Sorry. Yes. Thank you.
My mic keeps going in and out.
I just uh wanted to let the commission
know that um I will have my surgery on
Monday. Uh so I will be um gone for
about a month up in Albuquerque.
I just um wanted to let the constituents
know as well district that I do have uh
an assistant that will be helping me out
and will be answering my emails and my
phone calls.
Thank you, Madam Vice Chair.
Any other input?
Mr. Chair,
uh, Commissioner Chap.
Thank you.
Thank you everyone for those of you who
showed up. I am
keenly aware that you have taken time
away from your families,
from doctor's appointments, from your
children, from school,
and some of you have traveled from the
southern part of the county
uh to be here with us today.
And I just wanted to recognize that
you've attended our meeting. Thank you,
Mr. Chair.
Thank you, Commissioner Spra.
I just wanted to
express if I can
the kind of the sentiments I have at the
moment, which
is kind of a mixture of
frustration,
sadness.
Um
because I understand
that
there's strong opinions
regarding
Project Jupiter, which is the the
dominant
subject that that happens here during
public input.
And a lot of it is because I get the
emotions
that where people are trying to express
from each side where they're from, how
and why.
And along with that comes sometimes the
the need or that emotion to just, you
know, whatever, shout out or do
something like that. But it creates this
disruption that doesn't allow us to
conduct these meetings. And that is at
the end of the day what we're trying to
do here
and trying to be I understand that the
you know we've had more there were more
than I think we had 50ome people that
had signed up before we pulled the book
and we limited to 30 people and I
understand
that there was a lot of people here that
wanted to have their voice heard.
But in the in as this is something we've
started with trying to manage the length
of our trying to manage the length of of
public input along with uh the rest of
the action items this is something that
is that we have started to implement
and so what I encourage those that
weren't that whose voices were not heard
please feel free to email us or call us
our contact information is on our
website.
I know for me personally, I do try to
reach out to to the people that do send
me an email or a text message or a phone
call and try to have those have those
conversations
so that they're not something that I try
to ignore or,
you know, just not hear your voices.
I understand that you know I like I said
I've asked for your patience. I
understand this is not how I wanted this
meeting to be held
but again it's in the you know trying to
conduct this meeting in an orderly
manner as best as we can in a respectful
way as we can. So hopefully we can move
forward. I know we've got several
presentations
um but you know we'll continue on with
that
but thank you uh for allowing me just an
opportunity to express um a couple of my
thoughts
and uh also to Sheriff Stewart and to
Dasso thank you for your support here.
Um, I understand this is a very tough
role, but I want to say thank you for
uh your presence and uh and with this uh
as we try to maintain control. So, thank
you.
Our next up is county elected officials
input.
Okay,
move on to staff input. Uh, first up
from staff will be Mary Lou Ward.
Good morning, commission, um, chair,
commissioners, um, Mary Lou Ward, county
man or uh, Dona County um, animal
control manager. And today I wanted to
give the commission and the community an
update on the spay and neuter um
progress. As we all know, we've been
working behind the scenes to get our
program up and running in a safe
sterilization program with the animals
for the unincorporated areas of Dona
County.
Um so today I have Dr. McKenzie who was
challenged to start this program from
the ground up and she's um tackled many
mountains and today she's happy to
report um that she's got a new schedule
of events for our community and with
that I'll let her go over the events so
far.
Thank you.
[snorts]
Morning Dr. McKenzie.
Can you hear me?
Yes.
Okay.
Hello, I'm Zoe McKenzie. I'm born for
the um Red Running Into the Water Clan,
Zouri Zouri Black Street Division. Um
born for the Red House clan. Uh my chase
uh my maternal grandfathers are the
yellow medals people and my paternal
grandfathers are the [snorts]
red streak um clan. Um and I'm the
veterinarian for the Denna County Animal
Control. [snorts] So I wanted to give
you our most recent update for our
spayneuter program. Um, so [snorts] so
far since we've started, we've um
done 22 surgeries. Uh, we've done 17
vaccines and we've done 20 microchips
just in our spayneuter. Um, when we're
taking the the RV out to the
communities, we've uh taken the RV out
to Oregon. We started in Oregon and we
were there for three days. We are right
now um yesterday we went to La Mesa.
We'll be there again tomorrow and next
week we'll be in Da. So we are trying to
get a lot of our processes in place um
working together as a team and um we
will be putting out our one-year
schedule in a couple of weeks. In
addition to the spayneuter, we've also
done a vaccine events. We've been doing
the vaccine events for the last two
years, but our most recent one was in
Tortugas on July 11th, and we had about
19 animals from nine households. We did
19 rabies vaccinations and nine
microchips.
[clears throat]
And I just wanted to thank all the folks
that have helped um us along the way,
the count, the commissioners, and the
county management. Um, [snorts] I'd also
like to thank the county departments
that have helped us in a lot of
different ways. I would also like to
thank our my veterary colleagues that
have helped me with um
their experience and their guidance um
community our community partners and of
course my colleagues at animal control
all the animal control officers and the
veterary team Manuel and Esmeralda.
Thank you.
[applause]
And for that we'll stand for any
questions.
Mr. Chair,
uh, Commissioner Sheldon.
Um, Mary Lou and I, Zoe. Um, but I just
want to say thank you so much for the
work that you're doing. I know that you
guys are
really hurting right now being
understaffed. Um, and I know we talked
about a little bit at the animal
services meeting uh last week, but I
just want to say thank you for doing the
work that you're doing. It's great.
People are loving the fact that we're
going out into the rural communities and
being able to offer these services. I
know this has been a dream of yours,
Marylu, for many, many years. And I want
to say that I'm excited to see where
this goes. And I'm hoping that we can
expand this program um to really hit
people where they are, meet people in
the community, and make sure that we're
offering these spay and neuter services
as much as possible. Um but also with
that being said, I want to let you know
if you need anything um to help get your
uh staff rights sided, um please let us
know. We're here to help. Um, we're just
I know that it's a big undertaking and I
know that this county is huge and with
how big this county is, it takes a lot
of people to go out there and get the
job done. So, let us know if we can help
you. Thank you.
Thank you,
Commissioner.
Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Chair. Mary
Lou, thank you. And Dr. McKenzie, thank
you for the work that you're doing in
the community. So, I I got a phone call
a couple of days ago um inquiring about
the next vaccination round. Um, so if we
could pro probably post it on the
website, that'd be very helpful. I know
you're short staffed and I know the
budget's coming up and maybe we can
commissioners help a little bit with
that. I know you're missing what, five
positions, maybe more.
Um, currently we are this week. We got
several more officers on board. Thank
you. We're working on filling the rest
of the positions.
How many positions are you short?
Um, right now we're still short three.
But we're training still. They need
about at least an eightweek training to
be out on their own.
Thank you. And thank you for the work
that you're doing. I appreciate it.
Thank you.
I I know we we talked uh a little bit on
as as uh Commissioner Shel on this had
noted on during the animal service
center meeting, but uh super excited
that
this has finally come to fruition and
that you've had the maiden voyage of the
RV um and in Oregon and then onto
Lamesa. And so I'm excited that we're
going into into Donana next. Um, you
know, this is potentially a gamecher for
um our communities in the way that
hopefully we can address the pet
populations that because we continue to
see the the the amount of numbers that
the ACOs and calls they have to report
to for strays or any other um you know
animal cruelty case. I mean, we know
there's a lot that the ACOs deal with um
and and then ultimately a lot of that
ends up in the animal service center
here and potentially get euthanized. So,
if there's a way that you know we can
bring those services into the the rural
communities and the colonas,
um I said I think it has an a great
opportunity to be a gamecher. So, I'm
excited. I know it's I know it's been a
lot of time and effort to get to this
point, but but congratulations. I'm
excited for this.
Thank you. and and I do appreciate that
and that kind of goes along with the
ACES. So, I think the commission knows
um I'm very passionate about community
outreach and community um resources,
bringing that to the rural areas of the
community. So, I know we just started
with these three communities right now
and that's really just to iron out all
the details to see what works and what
doesn't work. Once we do that, we'll
like Dr. Mackenzie said we'll have more
of a iron schedule out there for the
year and our goal is to hit all the
townships within this this county. So
we're not lacking any communities. We're
including all communities and everyone
throughout the county.
Awesome.
Thank you.
Thank you all.
[applause]
U Mr. chair. Next up, we have Brian
Baker with Detention Center.
[clears throat]
Good morning, Dr. Baker.
Good morning, chair, commissioners. This
is just a quick update on our medical
provider and for the detainees.
Everything seems to be doing really
well. Uh uh the command staff at the
detention center are very pleased with
how it is working. They work with us
great. Their executive team is out on
site frequently and currently they have
in inducted 26 individuals on
which we still have 16 in custody and
it's only going to continue to expand
from there.
Awesome.
That's all I have.
Thank you. Commissioners questions.
All right. Thank you.
Thank you.
And Mr. Chair, we also have Jamie
Michael from HHS for staff input today.
Good morning. Jamie Michael Countyy's
Health and Human Services Department.
Several months ago, uh, I showed you all
a video about a project called create or
an organization called Creative Kids and
let you know that the New Mexico
Department of Health granted us some
violence prevention funds to do some um,
artwork projects at the detention center
with the young people there. It was very
successful and now we're going to have
an art exhibit. So, on August 7th from
4:00 to 6:00, we're going to um exhibit
the art that the young people did and
you'll get to meet some of them, their
families, and folks from Creative Kids.
I hope you're able to come. I will give
you the invitations. And I also wanted
just to let Director Baker know that
this was a great partnership with his
staff and the officers over there were
extremely supportive and asked for us to
seek funding to bring this back. So, it
was a a good project, something for us
to celebrate, and you'll get to see the
artwork hung here. um in the government
center. Thank you.
Thank you,
Mr. Chair. We just have one more item. I
just wanted to make sure everyone is
aware uh that uh you and I chair met
with Lynn Moore yesterday. had a very
productive meeting and I just want
everybody to be aware that next Tuesday
during the work session uh Lynmore will
be presenting an idea for a community
monitoring committee related to project
Jupiter and encourage people to come on
out and listen to the idea.
Thank you uh Stephen.
All right.
All right. Commission appointed board
report backs. Commissioners, any board
reports,
Mr. Chair?
Yes, Commissioner Sheldon.
Um, I guess I'll talk about animal
services really quickly. Um, we did meet
last Thursday and our quarterly meeting.
I know that we are uh working on the the
budget has been finalized. We're working
on how to make sure that the animal
services center has some longevity to
it. Besides that, there's been some
really great uh information. We do have
our new executive director who is well
underway. Um she is fantastic and and it
seems like staff is really doing well up
there. We continue to see the need for
spay and neuter services in our
community. So that was a large
conversation that we had as well. Uh we
had Dr. Carver um come and talk to us
about her work in the community. She has
been a veterinary here locally for
decades. Um, and it it was really great
to see the community come out and
support her. I know that there is always
more to be done at the animal services
center. I know that we're always looking
for more grant funding, especially for
spay and neuter, microchip, and
vaccines. So, that's something that
we've been talking about a lot lately.
Now that I think our executive director
has been hitting the road running and is
able to really see what's going on at
the animal services,
um, she's going to be looking into other
funding mechanisms to help us with that.
Also, I believe we're starting to look
at a second medical
suite unit,
the t uh surgery table,
surgery table to be able to assist more
and double kind of what we're doing
currently um at the animal services
center. So, a lot of good work there and
I just want to say thank you again to
Marylu and team for everything that
we're doing here locally at the county.
Um, I think we're we're ahead of the
eight-ball on that one and I think the
animal services center sees that. So,
it's always really good to be able to
shine at those meetings with everything
that we're doing. Um, so that was Animal
Services Center. Thank you, Mr. Chair.
Thank you, Commissioner Shelandez. And I
think one of the one of the big things
that the animal service center right now
I if I'm not mistaken and maybe I
misheard this but um they are pushing is
the um going to be moving to free
microchipping so that residents don't
have to pay for microchipping their
pets. Um, one piece though that that uh
came up and maybe a discussion for
future with our um maybe our utilities
and all the utilities uh within Donana
County is um when people move here and
get new service, there's not necessarily
um you know, you get the reminder, hey,
did you did you start your electricity?
Did you do has all these like
checklists, but one of those items not
on the checklist is did you update your
microchip information for your pet? And
that's usually like the last thing
people think about when they when they
move. Um, and so that was something that
was, you know, perhaps brought up is
maybe we have that and we can work with
them as part of a PSA when people move.
Make sure you update your microchip
information because it's it's important
if your pet happens to get out and one
of an animal control officer, whether
that's Dona County or uh city of Los
Cusus, um, happens to to scan that
microchip. if it's not a local address
or a local phone number, sometimes we
don't reach the person and so the animal
gets taken into the animal service
center and uh versus an opportunity to
do a a return to owner in the field and
it's a quicker response obviously easier
for everybody and less traumatic for the
animal as well. So you know hopefully
that's something we can start working on
is is kind of how how do we start better
effectively using the microchips. So,
um
I did have one report from the uh South
Central Regional Transit District. We
did meet uh last last Wednesday. Um we
approved the the final budget for the
2027 fiscal year. Um, one of the key
things though is I guess some of the
updates around was uh they're we're
working on creating a paratransit
uh bus system within so they're working
on trying to get grant application to
provide that service. Uh the other item
was uh within uh more particularly
within my district, the green line which
[clears throat] does not have uh weekend
service at the moment. And so that will
be returning here in in the next uh
month and a half in the fall. So that
will we will start having u uh weekend
service again on the bus route, but it's
something we'll continue to look at
operate as we do all of the uh routes
for uh SCTD. And then one that they were
highlighting is that they have been
going all the way into uh TRC and into
the Elephant but State Park, but it's
just to the entrance. We're still I
guess they're still working on trying to
get some spots within the park where
they can drop off, but um should anybody
need or have the want to pick up a uh a
bus to Elephant But the the um you can
connect with that stop at the uh Circle
K in the village of Hatch um and switch
either or take the the green line all
the way up to the blue line and the blue
line will connect all the way north into
Sierra County. So, um, just kind of
highlighting some of that new services
that we've been doing with the bus
service. And I think uh one last thing
that they highlighted as we um are
reaching the last quarter of the federal
fiscal year is the SCRTD is is nearly
there to finally for them hitting a big
milestone which is 200,000
uh writers
uh for the SCRTD which uh you know going
back five six years ago um was something
that they could never have seen I think
at that point but they have increased
that writership significantly. So it's
good to see that uh residents are taking
fair taking uh um are using the system.
So
all right.
Okay. If that uh there are no other uh
board reports then move under
presentations.
Agenda item number eight which will be a
presentation and update by project
Jupiter representatives.
Morning
Denise.
Good morning chair and good morning
commissioners. Um we have
representatives from project Jupiter
from Oracle and stock infrastructure. I
will allow our presenters to introduce
theirelves.
[applause]
Good morning.
Good morning. It's been a It's been an
interesting morning, but first
I want to thank the commissioners and
the county staff for the Titus work and
this great opportunity to present. Um,
I'm Mahesh. I lead the cloud
infrastructure business at Oracle. Um,
and I've been with Oracle for over 10
years and I'm very excited to talk about
Project Jupiter and what we're doing and
what has actually changed for the
community. Right. And I want to Yeah, go
ahead. And I'm Bobby Hollis. I'm the
chief development officer at stack
infrastructure and we are partner very
closely with Oracle on the project
Jupiter data center. So very much
aligned and here to answer the questions
and speak to this presentation for
everything that's going on right now.
All right.
Okay. All right. We'll speak loudly
and then if you need to pull the
microphone down, then you can do that,
too.
Okay.
And Mr. Chair,
is this better?
Yes. Commissioner,
thank you. Is there a copy of the
presentation for the board?
Besides the one on the screen, something
that I can write on.
Uh DCM Latrell said he's going to go
make a copy right now for each of the
board members.
Thank you.
Okay.
Can I proceed?
Please go ahead.
Awesome. All right. Cool. Um, first I
want to start by saying that project
Jupiter is a long-term partnership with
Donana County. This is not a short-term
transaction. Oracle is making commitment
to be here in the county for decades.
And we understand that this commitment
should be matched with accountability,
with transparency,
ongoing communication, which is why I'm
personally here with you today.
And for people who don't know, Oracle is
a publicly traded company that has been
in the industry for over five decades
and building clouds and data centers for
over 10 years. We know what it means to
be a good neighbor. That includes four
things. creating good pay good paying
jobs, investing and creating economic
benefit for the community that we're
part of, protecting the natural
resources, land, water, and air, and
using them very carefully and empowering
future generations. And so, we're
excited to share uh how Pro Oracle and
Project Jupiter are going to be a good
neighbor today. And I thought a lot
about the best way to introduce the
project and I thought it may be better
heard through a story of a union worker
uh that's actually at the site and how
it has changed their lives.
There was there was an email sent
maybe it's just my commission. There was
an email sent to us by Denise Carter uh
to the commissioners uh yesterday. So,
um
that's the presentation.
Yes, correct. We do have that.
All right, let me play the video.
I work there as as a pipe fitter. Been
working there for seven going on seven
months, I believe. I missed a lot of
birthdays, a lot of anniversaries and 20
years I've been traveling a lot and
not more not less than 12 hours away
from from the house. So, this became a
good opportunity for me to be here at
the at my hometown with the family,
waking up with my wife every day, being
with the kids, the grandkids. We start
at 6:00 and then we finish at 4:30. So
10 hours every day. We work 60 hours a
week. I'm grateful for Project Jupiter
because it's given me a good opportunity
to be here as well as my friends and my
family that they get to see me every
day. And I'm I'm grateful for that. I'm
so happy.
And this is just one story among many
hundreds and possibly thousand plus
stories that is probably going to come
true as this project comes alive.
A quick brief on Project Jupiter.
Project Jupiter is one of the largest
private investments in New Mexico's
history. We're building digital
infrastructure right here in New Mexico
that supports AI technology. As an
engineer, as an executive, as a husband,
and as a human, I've not been more
personally excited about this technology
and what this could do for humanity.
Project Jupiter could very well be the
location where cancer or Alzheimer's can
get cured. New Mexico has a storied
history for being at the cutting edge of
the next wave of innovation. Project
Jupiter will very much be one of those
investments that the New Mexican
historians could potentially talk about
in the future.
And we're creating opportunities right
here in Donian County through new
investment and long-term growth.
Oracle's committed to building this
responsibility,
protecting our natural resources,
recognizing the local environment, which
includes our updated designs for power.
Please, if we can watch the uh the the
disturbance from the from the crowd,
please. Thank you.
All right. Um, today we're officially
talking and sharing a lot of the details
around the economic benefits that could
be, you know, that'll be possible by
building Project Jupiter here in New
Mexico.
The total estimated economic benefit for
New Mexico is $4.7 billion in taxes,
investments, and economic activity over
the life of the project. During
construction, which is about a
three-year period, this will generate
approximately $600 million in gross tax
receipts and about 1.15 billion in
related economic activity. During the
ongoing operations of the site for
multiple years, the project is going to
generate approximately $680 million in
gross receipt sales tax and
approximately 1.92 billion in economic
activity over 17 years. The IRB
structure includes $360 million for
school and infrastructure over 30 years.
And the community benefits agreement
adds an additional $6.9 million for
workforce development. Put it all
together,
this is a $5 billion in economic impact
for New Mexico. And this is what we want
to be able to build here and be a good
neighbor.
And I want to dive a little deeper and
talk about not just numbers that are
possible, what's actually happening in
the county today. And that is
approximately since the project has
started and construction work activity
has started, $10 million of taxes have
been paid to Donana County.
We had made a commitment for about $50
million in investment for improving the
water infrastructure for Donana County.
And today I can report that over 80% of
that is already funded enabling you know
the county to actually drive the water
infrastructure improvements. These are
tangible benefits that is already
flowing into the county today and not
just promised for the future.
And you know it is very understandable
and and and I appreciate this a lot when
there are a lot of data centers out
there and there's a lot of
misinformation out there. We spend a ton
of time explicitly talking about
building data centers responsibly. So
I'm going to take a moment to talk about
what does that mean?
Project Jupiter is designed to protect
the environment and the natural resource
that is part of be the land, the water
and the air. And we have have a proven
track record of listening to the
community where we completely changed
our power design to naturally have lower
emissions to to address the feedback
from the community.
We are going to not use any public
drinking water for cooling or power
generation. no portable water and the
project is powered off self-sufficient
fuel cells
designed to protect the consumers and
ensure that it's off-grid and does not
affect the rate payers. Put simply, this
data center is being built different
built responsibility built for New
Mexico. Now I'm going to hand off to our
partner Bobby Hillis.
Thank you, Mahes. Wow. Next slide.
This is to focus on really what stack is
doing at the site right now and there is
a lot of activity taking place. If
you've driven by the site you will see
so much construction activity occurring
right now and a lot of that is really
what Mahesh is talking about and very
similar to what he mentioned is the
focus on how we can be good stewards of
the community both from the employment
side and also from the water side. So
when we look at construction as anyone
that knows in this particular region
there is a need for construction water.
So we are always making sure that that
construction water is being used in the
most economic and also most conservative
way that we possibly can. If you look at
the the chart on the right you can see
that we're actually tracking below where
we initially expected. And as the jobs
climb, we actually think that we will
have lower water use because the site is
being more stood up. So, one of the
things that is first and foremost is
making sure that the health of the
community and the employees is foremost.
That's really what the water is being
used for during this construction
period.
All right. I think there was a question
um and I want to first um talk a little
bit about uh because water is
frustration in New Mexico and we care a
lot about it. Um, I want to start by
differentiating portable water and
non-portable water. Portable water means
water that is ready for human
consumption. Non-portable water, for
example, like brackish water that is in
New Mexico that actually carries a lot
of minerals and is dirty that could be
used for other industrial or purposes.
Second, I want to talk about water use
in three dimensions. First, what Bobby
talked about, which is really about the
water that is used during the process of
construction, just like how you would go
through an apartment building
construction. Second, when you are
operating the data center for 10, 15,
17, 20 years, ongoing water use for
that. That's a second way in which water
could be used. And then there's a third
which is around your it's it's it is
going to house,500 plus people on the
site. So it's like an office building
just like this county office where you
would need water for restrooms for
people to actually go drink. So those
are the three different kinds of water
consumption. So what Bobby talked about
was one. I'm now in this slide going to
talk about the ongoing water strategy
for operating the site for 50 m and it
starts with using zero or no portable
drinking water. Zero. I want to repeat,
no portable public drinking water will
be used at this data center to run or
operate. Second, it is going to have a
one-time fill. Just like how you have a
car, a car has a radiator. You would
fill the radiator with water. You do not
go to a technician or a mechanic to fill
water in your car every week. That would
be a terrible car. Just like that. We
think a data center where you need to go
pour mo water in it is a terrible data
center. We do not build it. This
requires a one-time fill that you would
put inside the data center and would
continuously be operated using a closed
loop liquid cooling system. And we've
gotten a lot of questions about what is
this technology? How is this possible?
Good news is there is an 800 megawatt
data center that I have not built too
far away from here in Abalene, Texas
that is live and online with this piece
of technology. This is not new. This is
something that we are today using
building operating computers with.
And lastly, the ongoing maintenance and
operation for this data center because
you know a particular fuel cell can
actually be faulty and you need to
replace it and you need to put some
water and the average consumption for
keeping them doing the maintenance
activities on our data center or our
power plant. You calculate it annually
is less than nine single family homes
worth of water.
Just to give you a context about driving
$4.7 billion dollars of economic value
to an entire state and community and g
you know driving thousands of union jobs
and,500 full-time jobs
consumes during its operations less than
nine single family household needs of
water.
And people have asked me where does this
water come from? The water that is used
even for the onetime fill is from a sod
farm. It's an existing well and and
that's exactly the water that we're
using
just to close it close the loop. No
public drinking water, only
[clears throat] non-portable water and a
one-time fill with a technology that is
already proven at this scale that is
going to be at Project Jupiter.
And that's what we're bringing and
that's what responsible data centers
looks like and that's what New Mexico
deserves.
And another way that I wanted to
articulate the use of water is to say
you take bah you talked about all of
these different kinds of water put it
all together explain it to me and
compare it to any other standard things
that you know people understand. So when
you take all of the different kinds of
water that I talked about for
construction, for operations, and put it
all together and you see let's annually
understand what is the water usage for
this project Jupiter relative to an
airport, a baseball stadium, a fast food
restaurant. You can see where Project
Jupiter lands.
And this is once again
non-portable water.
This is not drinking water.
Okay.
Sorry.
Yeah, please proceed.
Okay. Um,
and so on the emission side, right, when
we originally submitted the project,
right, the project had a plan to use gas
turbines and we heard and we have shown
that we are listening to the community
feedback. We completely changed our
entire design to use
fuel cells.
And fuel cells are fundamentally a
technology just to kind of give you an
idea. There's methods in which we can
generate electricity or electrons. And
turbines use a combustion process and
fuel cells have zero combustion. What
that means is that when there is nothing
to move and there's no compulsion, it's
very quieter.
You can stand in front of a fuel cell
that's about 10 ft away and the noise
would be as simple as having a human
conversation, a normal conversation.
Fuel cells are cleaner way of, you know,
generating electrons. Number one, salt
generates its own water, which is why it
needs a one time fill. Third, it's very
quiet.
That's what we're talking about with the
newer technology that we've selected to
hear the community feedback and address
it. And the newer design also h uses
emits less 92% less knocks and
approximately 21 to 40% lesser CO2.
And once again, this is addressing the
community feedback that you've all given
us. And we know this is a partnership
and we're going to continue to listen.
Okay, I think this is the first time
we're coming out and talking about our
carbon matching strategy. And I wanted
it to be here. I wanted it to be in
front of the commissioners. I wanted it
to be in front of all of the New
Mexicans here. Oracle is committing to
doing 100% carbonfree energy matching by
which is well ahead of the goals that
meets the requirements for the New
Mexico's energy transition act.
And the good news is Oracle as is a
public company that's been around for
five decades. We have our own
sustainability goals that where we have
you know declared that we're going to
match this by 2035. But for New Mexico
and for Project Jupiter, we're
committing to do that faster. We're
committing to do that about four years
ahead. And that's how being a good
neighbor and a responsible data center
builder looks like. And that's what
we're committed to. Don County.
Okay, I'm going to give.
So sustainability, as you heard it, we
recognize the importance of everything
when we think about the resources that
that we're borrowing from the community
and that we're using in the community.
But equally important are the people
that make up this community. And this is
where we really want to highlight what
we think is the major impact that is
happening right now. And this is the the
one about the people that are actually,
as we saw in the testimonial ear
earlier, working at this site. We are
closing in on 3,000 employees at peak at
that at the site. That's going to be
growing even more over the next 6
months, 12 months, 18 months. So the
opportunity really is there for all of
Dona Anana County. How can we bring in
the people? We've we've done a lot of
outreach and we will continue to do even
more of that. Looking at the different
populations, veterans and others that we
can bring into the site, opportunities
really that should be made to the
residents of Dona County and the
communities nearby. So the effort that
you see here is just the start. We're
already over 2 million hours worked at
this site and that is just the very
beginning. It only started at the end of
last year. So, tremendous opportunity
for the people in this community to
participate and we will continue the
outreach to bring more and more people
in over time. We're already closing in
on almost 300 residents of Don Anak
County that are at the site. We want to
see that get even higher and higher and
faster.
Thanks, Bobby.
And being a good neighbor and talking
about that economic benefit is actually
starting to show value. And I can very
proudly say as Bobby talked about
there's very close to 300 Da Ana County
residents at the site with a job working
at the project today. We're also happy
to report that there is close to 700 New
Mexicans that are hired and working at
the site today. Another update that
we're giving you today is we've been
talking about the construction jobs
being 4,500. Today we're actually
updating that number to the 7,000 as the
full power plant engineering project
details are closed. So we have a full
design, we have a full construction plan
and it is going to be up to 7,000 jobs
at peak at the site and we continue to
hold the fact that there are 1500 jobs
that is required for ongoing operations
and support and the good news about that
number is that I operate else data
center that is as similar and big not
too far from here in Abene Texas. So I'm
very confident about that number
and I think
as I said being a good neighbor takes on
beyond just delivering economic value.
We have a philanthropic arm that
actually does good actually participates
in the community because this is where
thousands of New Mexicans are going to
be hired. We're going to be employees of
Oracle. We're going to be employees in
my organization. So, we want to create
an environment and a community that they
can actually be excited about. And so,
we've partnered with the Welldown
Foundation to cap orphaned oil and gas
wells in New Mexico to reduce methane
emissions.
Plugging just one of these states
orphaned wells can cut methane emissions
equivalent to removing 3,000 gas powered
cars from New Mexico's roads and
highways each year. And so there are
many ways in which Oracle is partnering
to contributing to actually have a
cleaner water and an air environment.
We've also been working with Kasa Deeper
Reinos which is a pillar of the
community and provides food for families
in need. We've sponsored two food drives
so far that has provided over 180,000
pounds of food to more than 900
families. Our teams participated in
these events. Our teams volunteer at
these events. And and this is just
Oracle getting started of being a good
neighbor in in the community.
In summary,
being a good neighbor starts with doing
four things. It's creating good paying
jobs. It's investing and participating
in the community and delivering the
economic benefit. In this case, about
$4.7 billion for the duration of the
project. protecting the natural
resources, using the land, water, air,
and being exceptionally clear and
careful about how we participate in the
community. And lastly,
empowering the future generation. This
project could very well be what New
Mexican historians talk about because
when I go around and talk, you know, to
all of the New Mexicans here as I
engage, everybody talks about the space
project. Everybody talks about another
project that New Mexico has done.
There's a storied history where we could
be in the middle of one where it
requires stepping back looking at what
could a $5 billion economic activity
project could do to the state to to
southern New Mexico. And today I stand
in front of you making a commitment to
work hard every day, every hour to earn
your trust, to listen, to be
transparent,
to empower the community and build a
relationship with the county that can
last for generations. So, thank you for
inviting us to present to the board
today and we're, you know, super excited
to be your neighbor.
Thank you, Mahes. Thank you, Bobby. Uh,
commissioners, any questions?
Mr. Chair, Commissioner Shernandez,
um, I do have a question mostly because
I don't know what carbonfree matching
is. I saw that as a term in your
presentation.
Yeah. Uh, very happy to explain that. Um
the question was around carbon free
matching. So what we want to do and this
is why we're actually going to be
working on you know getting the project
details. Um the idea is to select
renewable energy and solar projects
right here in New Mexico that we will
fund that will be added and contributed
to the grid that ensures the relevant
new renewable energy is actually
available on the grid to match the
carbons that are emission. Right? So,
we're going to offset um that the carbon
that this project emits in this Yeah.
Okay. So, the way that I'm understanding
that then is
um it will not be powering the data
center campus necessarily. It will just
be offsetting use in the state of New
Mexico somewhere.
Yes, it'll be available in the grid,
right? in the electricity grid at New
Mexico, but the project would be, you
know, generating renewable energy, solar
and a bunch of other mixed different
technologies and equal to what we're
building here. So that would be what we
would put back on the grid as renewable
energy.
Okay. So doing that there is no
reduction in emissions
from the site itself.
Is that correct?
That is correct. That is correct. we're
going to match and then potentially
depending on how the grid, you know,
upgrades and others, right? We're
continuing to work with El Paso Electric
to look at opportunities where we can as
part of our commitment to the 2045
energy transition act, right? If there
are opportunities to use that power
directly and it's available to power the
data center, we're very happy to do it.
But such a plan doesn't exist today.
Okay. Thank you, Mr. Chair. Thank you,
Commissioner.
Commissioner,
thank you.
Gentlemen, thank you so much for being
here with us today. As you can see, we
have very passionate people in this room
on one side or the other. Um,
so, uh, Commissioner Gandos was right.
We did receive your presentation from
our economic development director at
10:39 p.m.
And I didn't have an opportunity to read
it, but thank you, Deputy Assistant
Manager Lucio for getting this
presentation to me and so I feel I'm a
little behind. I didn't have an
opportunity to read it this morning. So
you mentioned you had 300 residents.
Pardon me, that was my computer. You
mentioned you had 300 residents employed
on site. Is that correct?
That's correct. And that's only based on
self-identification data. So, as we get
closer to the reporting uh obligations
and sort of what we're looking at, we
are getting more precision. So, we do
know that's probably higher, but that
was based on the self-reporting data
that we had about a month ago.
May I encourage you to ask the workers
where they're coming from so that we can
get more accurate numbers if indeed
Donana residents are being um hired. I I
know during public comment we had people
from Albuquerque from Huades and I'm
assuming the ones from Huades sorry I
may not be working here. So you also
mentioned you had 2700
uh 2755
workers. Where are the majority of those
workers coming from?
We're we're still gathering that data.
So we'll gather that data and get that
to you. But right now we we know that
there's a significant portion as Mahesh
mentioned that are from New Mexico from
other parts of New Mexico. So over 700
are New Mexicans. Um so the the rest are
from all over the the country but
probably from the greater metro area.
All right. So uh just following up on
that, what part of the country are they
coming from or what countries are they
coming from?
We're not certain. We'll get that data
and get back to you on that.
All right. So when can I expect that
information, sir?
Yes. And we also are doubling down on
our efforts. As I mentioned, we have a
hiring fair coming up in the next week
because our goal is to have more
employees from Dona Ana County and
prioritizing that hiring effort.
And I appreciate that because that would
be my expectation as well and I'm sure
the expectation of the commissioners on
dis
hired um in your facility. That's one of
the most important things for me that
the people from Donana
be first and foremost prioritized then
New Mexico in other parts of the country
than other parts of the nation. Um and
I'm sure you have other employees from
other countries as I've been told. Um I
would love to see your plant in Avaline.
So,
I would love for you guys to come.
Great.
Let's arrange that.
May we arrange? I'm looking at August
14th.
Let's do it. I'm going to be there.
Commissioners, anybody like to join me?
We don't make a quorum, but I I know I
spoke to Commissioner Kimble and I don't
know if you're available, Commissioner,
on that date.
Okay.
No, we would love that. Uh, one other
thing that I do want to add about the
jobs is when we talk about creating good
paying jobs, there's two different sides
of the story. One is like, hey, the the
the county and the people are already
capable of doing the job. And so what we
do is we actually go out and look for
them. The second thing is actually
training them, right? Because part of
actually transforming the community
doesn't stop at just asking them to like
go get trained somewhere else. So one of
the things that you know, Commissioner
Shaparo, that we're doing um which we've
done very well in in you know, Abene,
Texas, uh with the local universities is
we're partnering with the local schools.
We're partnering with the local
universities and what we want to be able
to do is to create pathways and create
12-week programs, create six-month
programs that would transform a lot of
the kids from high school to say, "How
could you be a technician at our data
center?" And we were very successful at
that uh in Abalene already in the Abene
Christian University. So part of what we
want to do here in in in New Mexico and
Donana County is to just replicate the
models in which we it's actually worked.
So, so there's two parts to the story.
We're going to report this information,
but you should also take a commitment
from us that we're going to work with
the high schools and the universities,
train them to be working at our
facility.
Yeah.
Thank you, sir. Maybe you can train me
on AI because I'm not as technical as
other people. Um, I have another
question regarding fuel cells.
I'm not quite understanding how they
work. I've spoken to one of your
representatives. Um and I also went to a
national conference two weeks ago and I
probably gained more information at that
conference than I have in the last um 11
months. Uh one of the questions that I'm
asking is I know they have some sort of
life. I don't know if it's two years or
five years I was told and I was told
this at the conference by one of the
Oracle representatives and I can't
remember his name right now. Um, but
where will you be a disposing of them
after they're utilized?
Um,
will they be in New Mexico?
It would be through a very standard
hazardous handling process. Um, you
know, a commissioner. Um, at this point
because we have actually haven't built
anything. We haven't built a plan to to
decommission them. So once we actually
have a plan and we actually build them,
it'll be through the standard hazardous
material disposing processes that, you
know, we're going to follow through the
EPA standard. So my expectation is it's
not going to be, you know, New Mexico,
but as I said, we haven't commissioned
it. So I don't know when and how to
decommission it.
I remember you said that, sir. Let me
see what other questions I have. Trying
to write very quickly.
Um,
and I appreciate that you are mentioning
that you're working hard to be
transparent
uh to this community.
And may I also encourage you to have
more town hall meetings, not just job
fairs, but to have answers to our
community. This is something that at
least I've been asking for for and my
community and my constituents have been
asking for for 11 months.
So, thank you for being here today.
Absolutely. Absolutely. And you can take
you can take that as a commitment from
me, Commissioner Shaparo, that we will
create per your guidance any amount of
town halls that will make it easy for
the the constituents to come ask the
question.
But you're not going to switch it at the
last minute, are you?
I never did.
Okay.
The good news is we made a commitment
and we're here. So, I will continue to
be here
and and again, I don't it's not my
intent to be disrespectful, but I have
had hundreds of calls from constituents
and residents and specifically in the
southern part of the state be southern
part of Donana County because that
they're the ones that are going to be
most affected. They're the ones that
have been living there for decades. They
will be living in homes around your
project.
um they're very poor and they can't move
and they deserve the answers. They need
to know what kind of air quality to
expect, what kind of no noise quality to
expect, what kind of water usage to
expect. We know we've had problems with
CRUA. Um and so absolutely being
transparent
100%. Yeah. I'll make a couple
community deserves.
Absolutely. Couple of points that I'll
add. Um actually, you know, Rep. Silva
invited me to visit Sheparel uh and the
schools. Um so that's actually being
planned in the August time frame. So I'm
actually visiting some of the the local
schools and actually talking to them
about it. So that's a visit that's
already planned to your point about you
know actually being part being part of
the community and listening. Um you know
so we're we're going to continue to take
the feedback and address and listen and
and go visit these communities. So so
definitely we'll follow up. Yep.
All right. I
believe that's all the questions besides
a non uh potable water.
I understand you're obtaining your water
from a sod farm, but the sod farm is
obtaining the water from the same
aquifer or the same well that is being
utilized by crew and sunland park. Is
that correct?
Um it is actually used for the sod farm.
Um there is some explicit water
treatment that we do before we can
actually use it. Um but the short answer
is you know yes it's from the same law
and that but but that water needs to be
treated for any use because of the
mineral contact arsenic etc etc. So
when we say non-drinking water all the
water in that area probably in the
southern part of the state needs to be
treated for any use. So to me when you
say potable water and non-pottable water
all of it is non-pottable until it's
treated
and and I think that's a very fair
question and I think it is right um it's
depends on the levels of treatment
number one right so how much do you need
to treat it to get to the drinking water
level what does it cost and what happens
how do you treat you know dispose of the
minerals that are actually there so
there's levels and you do that um second
um
it is something that was you know also
as as I said plan for using for the SWAT
art forum. So, we're actually taking
advantage and seeing if there's a better
opportunity that we can create. Yeah.
And and last question because I can't
recall the number. How many acre feet
are you utilizing from that sod farm of
water?
Um I don't actually know the answer to
the question. Sorry.
Yeah.
Thank you. I don't think I have any
other questions. Mr. Chair,
Mr. Yeah, Commissioner Kimble,
I'd like to know why we haven't gotten
reports. Thank you for being here. I
appreciate it as well. I see you brought
many, many people in security. Why
haven't we gotten the reports that we've
requested? We are supposed to get
quarterly reports on employment. We
haven't seen one report until today. We
haven't seen anything. And I'm pretty
sure we don't need you to come and
deliver every single employment report.
we don't need to wait until you can come
to deliver an employment report. So, is
there a reason we haven't gotten those
reports?
I think it's a great question. Um, I
think the
the reports are going to be uploaded to
the site part of the deadline which is
around July 31st. So, we're on pace and
on track.
We didn't we didn't deserve one before
July. We didn't request one before July
31st. I I think Commissioner Kimell I
think part of the issue and I think it's
this is part of the you know and I'd
probably have to rely on Denise on this
one. Part of the issue has been around
the creation of NMED
creating the portal to upload all of the
information into the system because one
of the things that they do is they have
to as as part of their LETA requirements
they have to upload the social security
some of these things that ends up being
sensitive data and so they NMED creates
the portal to allow them to do that.
They had not done that and so that was
part of the delay. Now I think that was
one of the things that we had discussed
was that I think that's finally done and
I thought it was finally report those
were finally it uh submitted. Is that
correct?
Correct. So there's going to be two
statements submitting covering the first
quarters there were no reports because
there were no employment or no employees
hired. And as far as the construction
jobs, the full-time part-time jobs for
the third quarter that's due July 31st,
employee rosters are being currently
completed.
You will get copies of all of the
documentation submitted.
Okay, Mr. Chair, but we don't need
employee documentation. We just need
numbers. How many employees do you have?
Correct. We would like to have known
that and we've been asked that every
single meeting.
You will be
Yes, ma'am. You will be provided with
the information. It is being uploaded.
We met with the companies to walk
through the compliance and ask them what
to submit and all of the information
that you've all requested.
Seems like quite a delay. And I guess
for blaming NMED, that's what we're
doing about it. But the second thing is
define long-term. What to you is
long-term? This is a long-term project.
So um the project duration from a data
center standpoint that Oracle is
actually going to be here is about 17.9
years and stack infrastructure from a
data center duration perspective is
going to be at least here for 25 to 30
years.
Okay. So
that is long term. Yeah.
Mr. Chair, what happens to the buildings
and the infrastructure when you're done?
Is there a reclamation plan or is it
just that stuff becomes property of the
county and we have empty buildings? So
usually uh what we end up doing with
buildings, these are built really good
buildings. Um so what we end up doing is
that we retrofit and we continue to use
those buildings over time. We may
upgrade the internal infrastructure,
right? Let's say there's an electrical
infrastructure or water infrastructure
that we use inside the building. Those
will be upgraded just like this
building, right? You upgrade them and
then it actually will be continue to be
used. But from a useful life
perspective, right, everybody thinks in
the 18 to 30 year mark from a business
standpoint, but but this is
going to be used for a longer time.
Yeah.
But do you have an example of where
you've done that? I don't believe you've
been doing this long enough to have an
18-year-old project that we can see what
you've done with it.
I think, you know, um, data centers at
this scale were a thing in the last 10
years. So I think as as an industry as a
country as humanity we're actually
marching towards this. So you know
something
30 years ago we 30 years ago we didn't
have the scale of data centers
commissioner Kimmel.
Okay so the next thing is like
commissioner Chaparo said what is the
life halflife whatever of a fuel cell? A
fuel cell um could be you know depending
on the operations and maintenance of how
we do them can be anywhere from 5 to
seven years and they will be
continuously maintained and operated and
replaced as you know they run into any
sort of failures or issues. Yeah.
And when you when you talk about the
noise and it's a normal conversation. So
let's say I'm having this normal
conversation and you're saying that's
about maybe this the noise but it's 247.
Is that true? It's going to be um
obviously the plant and the site will
operate 24/7. Um and when we when I
mention the number about the normal
conversation, it's about when you're 10
ft away, right? So once again, this plot
of land and where we're building it is
the industrial park away, you know, in
the Sunland area just doing our best to
be inside industrial zone. So when we
talk about numbers versus when I talk
about the normal conversation number,
it's 10 ft. If you're 2 miles away,
it'll be slightly different, right? the
noise levels that we're talking about.
Number one. Number two, also we're
trying to build a plant in in a steel
zone as well. Right.
So, when you say you never
switched the meeting, your
representatives did.
Got it.
And we didn't even know until about two
days, maybe a week before the meeting.
So, when you say you never did, okay,
fine.
Commissioner Kimble, I apologize for
that. We'll take a followup and make
sure that that doesn't happen ever.
A lot of grief with all of these people
because we were expecting something
totally different and I for one as a
commissioner wasn't wasn't um included
in any of that discussion. So when
people come to us, I have a person
emailing me on a regular bas basis
telling me I'm a liar. I lied to her
because I believed we were having a town
hall meeting where people could talk. So
when you say you didn't switch it, I
didn't switch it either. but you don't
live here. And you said as a family
person and a father and all of that,
you're concerned about this, but you
don't live here either.
And we need to consider the people that
are here that are concerned about all of
these things. And so I don't know how
often you're going to come here, but
when I went to the town hall, I got
different answers on the same questions
from different companies. And that was
really a challenge. That was something I
brought back. I asked Stack, "Tell me
about the carbon dioxide release." Oh,
stack said there won't be any. I asked
somebody from Bloom, she said, "Oh,
yeah. We're going to release a lot. We
just don't have any way to mitigate it
yet." Those are the messages we're
getting and that's why people are angry
and that's why they're showing up at
meetings. And again, you don't live here
and we do. We've been threatened. We've
been yelled at. We've been I haven't
been abused necessarily, but it's
getting close because people are angry
and they're emotional and it's as if you
sweep into town and you're going to talk
to people in your very nice voice and
tell everybody things's going to be
okay, but then you leave. We need more
information. We need more transparency.
We need to see the numbers. We need to
see the work. We need to know what
you're doing with the water, the air,
the noise, the heat. What about the
heat? I think I asked you about that. I
hear I have heard that data centers can
raise the temperature in a six mile
radius around the data center. So if you
live in Sunland Park in a very low
income neighborhood and you're using a
swamp cooler, do you know what a swamp
cooler is?
Yes.
And you're using a swamp cooler and the
temperature goes up from what was
yesterday 105 by six degrees. That's
deadly. We need to know that that's not
going to happen or that's going to be
taken care of because the people down
there are scared. And I'm not opposed to
this project. I think AI is here. We
can't we can't stop AI and I'd like to
see the economic development in the
community, but people are scared and
it's because we're not getting answers
from y'all. I don't have answers to give
them. And when I ask things, I get
different answers from different people.
So, we need more information. We need
the reports. We need to know how many
employees. We need to know where they're
from. So, there's so many more things
that we need. And I understand that the
where they're going to be uploaded is
not ready yet, but give us hints at
least. I mean, we need to know what's
going on down there because we've been
in the dark. And I'm the newest
commissioner. I didn't vote for this. I
wasn't here when it happened. And I'm
getting as much heat as everybody else
about it. And I don't think there's
anything I can do to stop it. But with
enough
grief from people, something could
happen. And like I said, we're often
being threatened. And I think you need
to know that.
Commissioner Kimble, at first I I'm very
apologetic and I'm sorry that, you know,
that is happening. Um, you know, if
there's anything that we can do to help,
just, you know, other than obviously,
you know, provide the facts, upload the
data, you know, give us the study on the
heat. I've taken a bunch of actions. my
team is listening to it. We're going to
make sure that each one of those things
are addressed. And I also apologize on
behalf, you know, of Oracle and my team
around the meetings and switching. Um,
that's an action we're going to take. We
make sure that that never happens,
Commissioner. Um, and and to both, you
know, Commissioner Shapara and Kimble,
um, you know, we are going to make sure
that we have those town halls, listen to
the constituents. Uh, and that's a
commitment from us, right? And so and
and to your point about you know me
being in New Mexico, you know, as I as I
mentioned last time when I met when I
came here and met a few officials, um
you know, my intent is to continue to
visit here. As I said, I'm going to have
a very large organization of New
Mexicans that's going to be here and and
it's part of it is me being listening to
them and we hearing to them both the
camp community and my people, right? So
this is a long-term commitment. So I'm
not going anywhere.
Mr. Chair, I have one more question. If
the environment department turns down
your permit, then what?
Um I think um obviously that would um
delay the project significantly. It
delay our ability to make progress on
the construction and delay the economic
impact information that I presented
today.
um you know if the pro if that if that
is denied um our opportunity is uh to
continue to work with the grid right
once again you know Oracle took the
route of building an off-site grid to
protect the rate payers and actually
make the project happen faster. So if
such a thing were to happen the whole
project would be delayed the economic
impact would be delayed and we would be
working with the grid to tell us when
the power will be available because you
know otherwise you know a data center
without power is a giant warehouse and I
don't think you know my investors or me
or anyone here would want me to build a
giant warehouse spending billions of
dollars.
Right. Thank you. That's all I have
Mr. Chair.
I don't know if anybody else had
questions, but I just Commissioner
Kimell,
I do have a followup on on the power
situation, but by all means.
No, go ahead. Commissioner Shel, I've
done this.
Mr. Chair,
well, before you do, I don't know if
Vice Gomez, have you had any questions
or
Sorry, I do, but I can go ahead and
wait.
Okay.
So
everything that's been said is
I mean we're up here on a bi-weekly
basis. So we we definitely what
Commissioner Kimell is saying is
factual. Um something that I want to
kind of talk about and you just said it
as well is that you would talk um to El
Paso Electric about when power is
available on the grid. Um,
and that triggered me a little bit
because in our IRB that's not allowed.
You are not allowed to be buying power
from El Paso Electric and or any of that
because then it gets put back onto our
rate payers. Um, so I I don't think that
should be a part of the conversation.
And
you know the reason why
we've talked about this and why power
generation is a big one is because I
think that as a community we you know we
first I had to learn about um turbines
and
research everything I could about
turbines. Talk to everyone, call people,
try to figure it out as well. Thought I
I had a good grasp I feel. Um but I And
now we're talking about fuel cells and I
think that's fine. But we also had a
conversation about um 50% renewable I
believe or maybe it was 40 or 50%
renewable. And I I love when you talked
about renewable, but I want to make sure
that the renewable offset is for the
project. I get putting it back into the
grid. I I understand that. But we want
to see, me as a commissioner,
I want to see that we're offsetting the
carbon in a way that is actually taking
it out of the community,
not offsetting it in in northern New
Mexico or anywhere else. We need to see
that going back to the residents of
Donana County in southern New Mexico.
So, I would really um caution you about
talking about the grid. Um, but I would
also say let's let's look at how we're
going to offset the power generation.
You especially since the life cycle is
only 5 to seven years. You're going to
have to replace them anyway. So, why not
replace them with renewables? So, that's
all I really want.
So, those are two very good questions.
Uh, one thing that I'll say is, as I
said, you know, the question was really
around, hey, you know, what happens if
the permit doesn't come? uh at that
point the only opportunity for a project
of this scale is to work with El Paso
and and the county to solve the problem
and if the answer is hey that's not a
viable solution then essentially you
know I I don't know how to power the
data center so you know I don't want to
mince any words I want to be very direct
and you will see all see me as a direct
and a transparent person and if the
permit's not available it's the grid if
the grid is not available I don't know
what I would where I would how I would
power the data data center. So it's
impossible. So there's no opportunity to
power. So I just want to be very clear
that that's the only option on the table
including having the conversation
matter. Now going back to the
renewables, I think that's a very good
ask. Um looking at figuring out what
projects can we do in Donana County and
in you know in Sunland Park. Um so we'll
take that as an action as we make our
full detailed plan to address that. Yep.
Um before I come back to Commission, I
just want to respond to Commissioner
Sheljand because I think just for
clarity purposes, the IRB doesn't state
they cannot go to El Paso Electric. The
IRB claims that they cannot affect rate
private rate payers rates for
electricity. So the reason I bring that
up is there could be a potential if that
had to be a plan. Uh we've seen how the
state of Oregon has created and allowed
their regulatory commission to create
large load rate or rate ca a rate
specific rate for large load customers.
Um and so what we've seen is that um I
think it was in Oregon recently that
they just started these new rates uh
specifically for um data centers. And so
actually I mean it's been it was
significantly higher than a lot of other
places but it could be a potential here
that the that the legislature or the PRC
could create that as an option so that
then the load or that requirement or the
the rates of private rate payers
doesn't. Like I said, I I don't know if
that's I I'm not saying that's the the
solution that goes with, but like I
said, we've seen other parts of the US
where they've had to where they've
shielded uh rateayers if they had to go
to um the grid. But, you know, I think
even then it still creates a whole
another uh another challenge because of
and I I think this is you're probably
looking at traveling site. what they do
is that they still need a they they
because of the 99%
uh availability requirement that a lot
of these have, we've seen that even
though data centers pull from the grid,
they also still create on on-site backup
as in the case that if the grid goes
down, they can continue to operate. So,
like I said, there's still some of those
things that that would go into it, but
um I think it creates a a real concern.
And I think along with that, what would
happen if this project didn't happen in
Donana County or it stopped completely?
like what would
I mean um I think that would be um
a big hit on our you know in terms of
the investments that we've already made
the taxes we paid and um you know we'd
have to you know have the construction
jobs and the growth and everything that
we have actually started bringing into
the community would have to be stopped
because you know the only option at that
point is for me to issue stop work
because I can't keep funding a thing
that I don't know how to power um so I'd
have to issue not work.
Okay.
Thank you, Commissioner. Sorry.
Commissioner Gometos had something to
say
and I don't want I
Are you sure?
Give everybody an opportunity to
Thanks. I appreciate that. Um so I was
taking little notes here. So I was
saying that um with the water uh usage
the yearly conception um for the data
center would be almost nine homes of
water usage per year.
Correct. That's right. Whether it's
portable or non-potable that's the total
amount altogether.
That is the total amount and it is
non-portable.
Okay.
Yep.
All right. Um the other thing is um I
know uh Commissioner Chapo was asking uh
about the data on the uh jobs um and I
I'm I don't know if I heard or not but
[clears throat] when would that next um
information for on the datas uh on the
jobs come to us? Would that be in I'm
sorry
Friday.
Friday July July 31st. Oh okay. Um and
then with that, is it going to have the
breakdown, you know, showing that it's,
you know, how many people um are from
Donana County?
Yes, ma'am.
Okay. Yes. Um and and I know I'm going
to be like nitpicking here because I
would like to see like how many people
within Donana County are from Salomon
Park, Santa Teresa, Laame Mesa. Um I
don't know. I just would like to see how
many people if that's possible. If it's
not on this one, then the next one.
No, thank you.
Okay. Thank you. Um,
what's wrong with people from Hatch?
Oh, I'm sorry. Hatch too. [laughter]
So, um, and then with the the heat
issue, uh, that will be um given to us
as well when
uh we can take an action to produce that
report in the next week for you all.
Okay. Thank you. because that is an
issue um that I've been getting a lot of
questions on um recently. So, I would
really appreciate that. Um
and you know, Commissioner Kimell and
Commissioner Chaparo have asked really
great questions and so I wrote down all
those answers, so I appreciate that. Um
and with that, I pass the
Oh, thank you, Mr. Chair. May I? Um,
this is a good beginning
quite frankly and this is more
information than I've ever received from
any of your representatives.
And so having you here and you being
responsible for the information that
you're sharing with us is quite
valuable. The information I've received
from your representatives has always
been, "Let me get back to you. We'll
meet at another time." And that is not
acceptable and it's inappropriate quite
frankly because we've strung everyone
along for so many months and there was
no need to. Um but just to go back on
what I'm hearing so that our
constituents
uh can [clears throat]
also uh clarify some things.
You're not going to ask, we're not going
to be um partnering with El Paso
Electric to increase electric rates. You
have the vice president of El Paso
Electric right here in the fourth row.
And so I'm hoping that he will join in
that and not be asking for increases for
infrastructure rates for our residents
because um or
No, look, today as I said, we we don't
intend to connect to El Paso. We're
building this power plant. Obviously,
it's contingent on the permit. So, we
want
to do the power ourselves, not affect
rateayers in an alternate universe. Even
if we were to, we want to pay our way.
Period. There's nothing any costs
related to anything that Oracle uses.
Only Oracle should pay. It should not
affect rate payers. And that's a
commitment from us.
And I I appreciate that. So I expect not
to be hearing from El Paso Electric
requesting money for infrastructure or
anything else for our residents.
Um
so u I was asked this question regarding
the uh people the canvasers you you have
going out to the community and the
appearance of misrepresentation.
How can we dial that back because that's
really causing a lot of
um
discussion in our community and it's
bothering people and there has been
allegations of canvasers utilizing
public officials information and um so I
spoke to actually it was speaker
Martinez who was at the same conference
that I attended a couple of uh weeks ago
and he shared with me that his name had
been utilized on your list supporting
project Jupiter and he hadn't acquiesed
to
I think there's two things. Um one is um
first I want to say um I apologize and I
you know it's sad that uh there are
people that would take other people's
identities which is unacceptable.
Second, we and I we personally engaged
with the AG's office and we have given
complete support and we're actually very
excited that this investigation is
happening partially also because um we
think because it's a public portal
anyone can enter anyone's name right
there isn't a due course validation of
like who's going in who's going out
right uh because anyone could go enter
any name so so we are actually doing
working with NMED and their security
department to share all of our
information and having them work with
the AG to find these individuals who are
actually impersonating which could be,
you know, potentially a civil penalty.
So, um, we're supporting that
investigation. We're sharing all the
data uh because we're very excited that
this investigation is happening on the
canvasing side. Um, you know,
Commissioner Shaparo, I'll take an
action. I'll go investigate. I'll look
at it and we'll see, you know, how
corrective measures can be put in place
so that doesn't happen. I appreciate it.
Um,
and and Commissioner, before we go on,
can we have uh Mr. Zing House please uh
not sit in the aisle? I think from a
safety perspective, I think I know
there's plenty of seats up front here.
Thank you. Sorry. Go ahead, Commissioner
Tro.
I lost I lost my train of thought, Mr.
Chair. Um,
I'm sure I can come up with a lot more
questions, gentlemen, because this, as I
mentioned, this is a good beginning and
we're all going to get a lot of
questions via email and text and calls
of that I'm certain. Um, but I'd like to
invite you back because this is the most
information I've received, as I
mentioned before, for 11 months. and our
constituents have been waiting,
demanding, begging for information. And
to have them wait in any longer is just
not acceptable, at least to this
commissioner. So, if we can move forward
in a more transparent way, because quite
frankly, it hasn't been as transparent
as I'd like to have it. uh in a more
responsible way, in a more responsive
way, and let's answer the questions for
our constituents because they're the
ones that are going to be breathing the
air, feeling the heat, um
you know, maybe doing without water. And
so on on my last comment is I was out in
Messiah
watching the farmers water and I don't
know if you're aware but this is how
much water 4 in of water they will
receive
in one year. So for you to be good
stewards of our land of our air and if
our water will go a long way for the
people I represent.
I think um I'll make a commitment to you
uh Commissioner Shaparo to be here you
know when the county wants me to be here
independent I do intend to be here a lot
more um so I'm very happy to come and
present uh talk about the facts number
one number two um there are a couple of
projects that we are very in early
stages to work with the NMSU um which
are very researchoriented about
improving the water table or figuring
out how to solve you 85% of the water
that is actually there in New Mexico
brackish water how can we act that be
you know clean but also cost effective
because it's not so that's another
project we're working on a reforestation
project so the way you should think
about us as I said right being
responsible as being a citizen and being
uh being a good citizen of the you know
the community for decades to come and
that comes in multiple forms training
getting the good paying jobs getting the
people over to work at these good paying
jobs partnership with the university and
so there's many things that we're doing.
I did not present every single thing
we're doing today, Commissioner. Um,
that's the commitment that you'll see
from Oracle.
Thank you. And I'll have a list of asks
for next time.
I would I would love that,
Mr. I just have two more questions.
Go ahead.
Have you considered geothermal energy?
Um, we've looked into it. um the
industry at this point is not um
advanced enough or um cost-ffective
enough for us to actually consider this
for a for a true business scale project
that needs to operate uh 99.9
um and so it is on our list but it's
just not commercially viable today.
Commissioner Kimble,
my second question is why don't you buy
a house in Santa Teresa so you can see
what happens to the area?
Very happy to
very happy to.
That's all.
Thank you. Um
I had several several you know thoughts
and I think one is I I do you know
something that commissioner Shelter
Nandez had recommended and I think as we
talk towards the commitment towards the
2045 uh carbon neutral uh commitment of
the IRBs
um is
you know I think I I would fully support
if you know a way for
the the the path to reduce carbon
emissions from where we're currently at
versus
uh to to get to that point. So, I'm
hoping we'll we'll have that as you de
as we develop that plan. Um I think that
will that will go a long way because I
think it is important that um
understanding the commitment from
Oracle, but how we do that here in
Donena County will be key. Um the there
was a a a
question that was asked I know by
Commissioner Kimell and I know on you
know maybe we can have a Bloom one of
the Bloom folks come and talk a little
bit about it because I think um and
maybe what part of going to Abalene will
you know we can get to see how loud a
data center is. I know um uh Vice
Gomedos had the opportunity to go to a
stack facility in in Lonen County, but
you know, I think that would be an
opportunity for for us to learn. Uh but
given the Bloom, I know from what I
understood from the Bloom uh folks,
we're looking at six about 60 dB is
about what they run. Um and so there is
a
uh equation that you can actually see
how much sound dissipates from this from
the the the the location of that
generation to different data points and
I think it's particularly
um you know I think as we talk about it
I think that's obviously one of the
feedback we get but I think it's going
to be something that we discuss and we
can have that and just so we can see it
in writing I think of understanding that
I think will help um but I want to say
thank you uh to to both you Mahesh and
Bobby I think being here is this is the
first time we've actually had Aside from
the IRB's um
direct discussion about the project, um
I know a couple of weeks ago, it felt
like a month ago, um I think when you
were last in town, Mahesh, you you took
time and and did an interview with one
of the local news stations. So, you
know, we we've already seen I feel like
a commitment that there is going to be
more of a community outward- facing
community uh outreach effort so we can
get these this type of information out.
That's right.
Um hopefully address the questions. Um
and and you know I think one of the
other pieces I think we're we're you
know next week um during our um our work
session there will be a proposal for the
commission to potentially look at a uh
uh monitoring a community monitoring
committee that is made up of community
members that we can work on allowing
them to be able to dig into uh where the
community it's communitydriven is the
hope. But we we'll talk a little more,
but that would be something from you all
and from your companies to be able to
help answer some of those questions,
provide information because I think it'd
be a very good opportunity to provide
that information out to the public.
That's right.
So, but I I want to say thank you for
that. And I think the only other piece
is um you know I think this is going to
be it'll go a long way for an education
hopefully educational for for us because
I think as as we've talked about um
water being used from the sod farm that
that well is metered by the office of
state and reported to the office of
state.
Correct.
So that is currently using those rights
those are being monitored by the state.
Um
these are the types of things that that
I think we need to know that that people
need to understand that this is not um
you know you all doing something outside
of outside the process is trying to go
outside of the the and and you know I
think we have your air permit hearing
coming up as well. So I know that's
another um another tollgate that'll be
done by the state. So we'll look forward
to having that maybe having more
discussions uh sharing more information
so that like I said I think as we coming
directly from you all it carries a lot
of weight.
Absolutely. I think you have our
commitment to continue to be present
continue to get your questions continue
to answer and continue to be transparent
uh because I think you know we're very
excited to be part of you know this
community and be part of New Mexico. And
Mr. Chair if I may last question.
In other words, will you present be
presenting in Spanish for the people
down south?
Um, they're not very connected to the
culture nor the language, the
representatives that you've had. So,
might I suggest that moving forward in
that direction might be helpful?
For sure. I think um one thing that we
do in our data centers by the way is
that you know all of our training
materials as we teach our people we
actually teach them both in Spanish and
uh in English um it's actually standard
course practice that we follow um
especially coming into New Mexico uh so
we're very appreciative of the culture
and the language so um very happy to
look at you know even you know if it's
not me I can have a Spanish speaker
present as well uh very comfortable with
that very happy to answer questions so
you should you should take that as a
commitment
You want to be part of the community,
right?
Another suggestion is maybe utilizing
people that are fluent in the languages
and and I don't know what you're
utilizing. I hope it's not AI because
I'm watching the AI translation and it's
wrong. I I've been bringing it to the
attention of our staff. It's been
incorrect for months. It's not a correct
translation. But um there are fluent
Spanish speakers, English speakers that
you can hire.
Yeah. Yeah. Absolutely. I think we're
starting to have many New Mexico
residents be full-time employees now. Um
so I think we'll continue to hire.
Absolutely. Thank you. Thank you.
Thank you, Mr. Chair.
Thank you. All right. Any other
comments, questions from the
commissioners? Okay. Thank you.
Thank you for the opportunity. Thank you
for letting us present ourselves. Thank
you. Thank you.
Thank you all.
[applause]
[snorts]
Okay. Uh,
next item is agenda agenda item number
nine. It's a presentation of the Donana
County audit report for the fiscal year
ending June 30th, 2025. With that, we'll
turn to Miss Osma Dawwood.
Uh, good afternoon, commissioners. We
have uh Mr. Farley Wineer from uh Hinkle
and Landers Auditors who would be doing
the presentation. He would be joining us
remotely from Albuquerque
and and Osma. Actually, we'll we'll wait
get we'll wait a couple of minutes uh to
let people clear out so we don't have
the the ambient noise.
I'm
Okay, thanks for the small delay. I know
we're at
we'll be getting ready to start now.
It's uh agenda item number nine. It's a
presentation of the Donian County audit
report for fiscal year ending June 30th,
2025. And with that I'll turn it over to
Miss Osma Dawwood.
Yes.
So good afternoon commissioners. Uh we
have Mr. Farley Wineer from uh Hingle
and Landers. He's our external auditor
and he would be presenting uh this
presentation for FY25 audit.
Uh good evening or sorry good afternoon
uh commissioners.
Uh this is Arvin. I'm here to present
the results of the 20 25 audit uh for
the county. I walk us through our our
slides to to summarize the results. Uh
what we have are the two opinions. The
uh financial statement opinion that is
an unmodified opinion which means a
clean opinion or in other words that we
believe the numbers are materially
correct as presented in the report.
And for the federal awards, uh we our
opinion is that the county is in
compliance with
uh the use of the federal dollars uh
that we audited.
Um the major program, federal program
that we audited, uh you can see those
two listed there. That's the COVID 19
funding
as well as the uh staffing for adequate
fire and emergency response grant.
Uh findings
uh there were there were seven findings
and uh to summarize them there's two
that are categorized as financial
statement findings. There was a
financial close and timeliness of the
audit.
Uh the other financial statement finding
was a Gazsby 101 compensated absences
implementation finding. Uh there were
two findings under the major federal
program area. That's the late data
collection form submission and the
non-compliance with the quarterly
reporting requirements.
Uh the last three are state audit rule
type findings. Capital asset inventory
certification, late audit report submitt
and under collateralization of deposits
held with financial institutions.
Uh that is a summary. I can stop here
for any questions or discussion.
Thanks Farley. Um,
commissioners, any questions so far?
Nope. Not hearing any further.
Thank you, sir.
Okay.
So, with that, I don't know. I know
generally we
I guess generally we have a
uh we approve the audit and I know this
is not necessarily that this is just the
report but will there be
so there has been a change with DFA
requirements now they're just request a
presentation we do not
need the resolution to be
got it okay oh makes it even easier
all right uh though there are no other
questions I think Farley thank you so
much to you and your team. I know
uh we appreciated having you come down
and take a look at uh at what we do. Um
I don't know if it's at all appropriate
now or is I don't know if it's at all
appropriate. I know we've had some
discussion between this and the special
audit. Um and I don't know if we even
want to discuss at least some of the at
least observation of that. uh because I
know none of the findings at least for
this audit uh this does not have those
special audit findings that were going
to be included. Um and I think in the
future our future audit uh audits will
have those audit findings but um I
didn't know if there's anything you can
add specifically to that because I think
this was almost done somewhat
concurrently.
Uh that is actually Mr. chair the the uh
special audit concluded while we were in
the very last stages of of completing
the the annual audit uh discussing
uh timing of the audit with or or the
special audit with the office of the
state auditor's their office. They they
uh stated that the uh findings will be
reviewed and addressed by the subsequent
auditor.
Okay.
Right commission. If there are no other
questions or discussion then I think
that'll that'll conclude this. Thank you
so much Farley to you and the team.
Thank you, Osma, to you and all of your
team for supporting this.
Thank you.
All right. Next up is item number 10.
This is a present uh presentation of the
Donana County Healthcare Assistance
Program and the standard operating
procedures.
Thank you, Alberto.
Good afternoon, commissioners. Jamie
Michael Countyy's Health and Human
Services Department. I'm joined today by
Noberto Godina, who is our division
manager. He's uh passing out the SOP
manual to you. And I'm also joined by
our consultant, Lynn Gallagher. Um, many
of you may know Lynn. She served as
legal counsel for the New Mexico
Department of Health and Secretary for
the New Mexico Department of Health.
we've contracted with her to uh assist
us in um developing these SOPs and then
the next step which is expanding our
program to include premium assistance
and other out-of- pocket costs. So, as
stated in the um resolution, we are here
to share with you the current um SOP
manual um as it exists today for the
healthcare assistance program. Obviously
the um the manual takes standard
operating procedures that we had for
operating the program, monitoring
contracts and reporting data, puts it
all together in one manual. It is um a
continuous work in progress. Um just
after, for example, after meeting with
Commissioner Gomero last week, we've
made some additional changes. Um and
there are sections that are still
growing, sections that are we are still
working on in collaboration with our
contractors. But um as of today, this is
the um manual, the document that we
have. So I'm going to just go um briefly
over the document. You received it via
email and now you have a a hard copy. If
you um have questions, please feel free
to to stop me on any of the the
sections. and Lynn is also here to to
answer questions and I may lean on her
at different sections. The um template
came from Commissioner Gomero. She asked
us to follow this template. So each of
the the sections are in line with that
um template that we've been working from
and this is going very slowly.
So section one is titled general
provisions. It is a general overview of
the program that um that language has
been consistent language over my entire
tenure here with the the program. It
does talk about um section 1.2 talks
about the two plans now since we're
expanding the per encounter and the new
premium assistance and other costs.
Again, today we are just looking at SOPs
for the per encounter part of the the
program. The section one also includes
our legal authority and includes
definitions and acronyms. The intended
audience for this um document is a very
wide broad audience. It's employees that
work in our department so they know um
what's expected. It is contractors that
are working um on behalf of the county
um and any other folks like you all or
county leadership that are interested in
the program. So the definitions and and
acronyms is an important section.
Section two
is the eligibility criteria.
Most of this comes from either the state
statute or from the county resolution
section 2.1
describing the payer of last resort.
There was no change from how the program
was operating prior to July 1 um to to
now post July 1. So I just want to to
clarify and make sure everybody
understands we are continuing to operate
as the payer of last resort. So if a
person does not qualify for any other
type of coverage or if their coverage is
too expensive
then they may be eligible for our
program. So that's the first question is
do you have other coverage that is
accessible and we define what accessible
means in the document.
people have to be um living they we have
to know who they are. So the
identification requirement hasn't
changed and they have to be living here
in the county. That hasn't changed. And
the criteria or the evidence, the
documentation to prove that um is the
same as it was prior.
Section two continues with um
eligibility. Here is where we made a
change from what was in the resolution
um prior and how the contractors were
operating prior. We look at both current
monthly income and we look at annual
income. Both are required.
We added some additional options here.
Previously to prove your annual income,
it was just your New Mexico or federal
tax return. We have now broadened that
to allow other documents. So you see in
your um SOP manual there is a statement
about non-traditional income. We are
allowing those documents to prove both
monthly income and annual income.
Because that's a change. I'm going to
stop there. Um, Miss Gallagher did some
research on that for us. I want to make
it clear that we're broadening it so
more options are available, but it
definitely opens up the door to be less
accurate with the documentation.
So, any questions on that,
Mr. Chair? Mr. Mr.
Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Chair. So I am
looking at number four where it's a
personal wage record or written
statement of cashbased income. So can
anybody just say okay I make 34
I work 34 hours a week at 1301 per hour.
Would that qualify?
Because that to me would be I mean we we
only have $2 million for this uh pilot
program. Am I correct? Am I remembering
that correctly, Jamie? So the um
Commissioner Chapado the documentation
would qualify.
There is a maximum income. So if I did
the calculations that person might make
too much money, but the um the document
that you described is something we would
accept to prove income.
So I could just get a piece of paper and
just save.
Lynn, do you want to to talk about what
the uh the non-traditional income
documents look like?
Sure. U Mr. Chairman, commissioners,
thank you for the opportunity to clarify
that section. So across the United
States for for states similar to New
Mexico or at least close there too that
have various programs like this they
[clears throat] use selfattestation
quite typically to prove or to show
evidence of income. It is not the um
sole source of that proof. And again,
um, as Miss Michaels indicated, you do
have to do the rest of the work and
calculate it to determine if it meets
that need. But, um, in states like
Texas, California, and then in a few
areas here, Bernalo County, Santa Fe,
and San Juan County, my research shows
that that someone could say this is how
much I make, and I self attest that that
is my monthly income. and then the
people who are working to determine
whether it is eligible or not eligible
would do the work to to make that
determination.
It is not ideal. [clears throat]
However, it is broad enough that it
reaches a group of people who are
sometimes unmet.
Thank you.
Are you ready to to move on,
commissioners? Thank you. Um item 2.6 is
the pilot program.
We are still pending all of the SOPs
related to the the pilot program. Our
target is still to have something for
you all by October, but we will not be
um addressing that today. So, I'm going
to move us down here.
It sounds like the leave of the stage
music. [laughter]
All right. Section three, the
application and determination process.
Um, for the actual application, we are
now asking each of the contractors to
upload the documents. So, Commissioner
Chapato, for example, if they bring that
document to prove their monthly income,
that would be uploaded along with a
photo of their ID. um the documentation
that proves residency, all of those will
now live um in the IHS system. It meets
all of the security standards for
personal um personal priv private
personal information.
It will not include any medical
information. So, it's not HIPPA um
information. It's just um personal
identification and other protected
information. But the system um that it's
uploaded into does um meet those
standards. The um eligibility staff with
the contracted agencies and the new case
manager that we have in our department
or soon will have in our department will
be responsible for the screening and
eligibility.
The um enrollment period stays the same.
every year people will need to reenroll
and the um manual under section three
describes an appeal process.
Um
Jamie just curious why why is it um on
tax day like why is April 15th the day
that people reapply because it's in the
kind of in a midpoint through the year
it seems like.
Um Mr. Mr. Chair, we actually had this
conversation with um Commissioner Gomero
last week. Originally, it was in there
because your current tax return was
required. So, we used that as the date
that everybody will have their new tax
return. Um after discussion, we have
changed it to July 1.
Okay.
And I mean because I I mean I think that
probably better align. So, thank you uh
Vice Gomez. I think the other part is if
people have for any reason have to
request an extension and so on, they
wouldn't have it on that day. So, but
okay, cool. Thanks.
It has to happen annually and originally
we picked that, but it's just as easy
for July one.
Okay,
Mr. Chair, I have a question.
Yeah,
regarding 3.4 for appeal process. And
I'm jumping ahead, Jamie,
so I don't know if you were ready for
that. Um, but we're talking about
reasonable time frames. What does that
mean?
Is it going to lean on the folks that
helped write these SOPs?
The appeal process talked about
reasonable time frames.
So, I can address uh Mr. Mr. Chairman,
members of the committee, I can address
generally that reasonable time frames
are provided if someone is denied
eligibility. The um the county is going
to work with those folks to be able to
submit information reasonably.
Obviously, in the law, reasonable is a
moving target and um we wanted to be as
broad and open as possible to help
people meet the need if they could.
I don't know if there's a um certainly
is up for consideration. I don't know if
there's a time frame. You know, you
start setting time frames and then um we
didn't want to have someone set up to
fail. So reasonable was a nice Thank
you. medium,
right? Because they have to find they
have to find if if we're talking about
eligibility criteria and standards, we
we wanted an opportunity where there
would be some eb and flow rather than
hard stop. You have five days. You have
10 days.
Mr. Chair, I have a question.
I'm sorry. Um,
so and I understand that reasonable time
frame that's a reasonable time frame
from the county. Um
I think we need to have a like you know
is it a week or is it two weeks and only
for the fact that let's say an
individual um wants our plan to the
premium assistance program um gets into
play um you know these are people that
have cancer that would be applying for
this and being determined
um I don't think you know a reasonable
time frame
um how do I say because a reasonable
time frame can be for somebody thinking
oh two weeks, three weeks a month. I I
just kind of feel like we need to have
something um set and I understand about
you know not wanting to have that person
fail countywise but I I think um when we
do a time frame
we're making the county account
accountable.
Mr. chair, members of the committee. Um
um I think that that's a great
consideration. Um the final
determination, they usually should stem
from whatever the county's general
process is for for reasonably
determining of for making a final
determination. And I think that if
you're providing a recommendation for a
time frame certainly should be met um
whether it be 10 days 15 days but the
goal should also be to work with the
person directly and give them what that
means. So I would defer to the county to
say our final determination will be made
upon providing
substantial financial documents
rather than a firm 5 days, 10 days, 11
days.
I I think that would be great language
instead of that reasonable time frame.
Um Madame Vice Chair, I can give an
example of how it's currently addressed.
It is
a case by case. So if someone we don't
get very many appeals first of all, but
if we do um and we're discussing things,
we're very um
the the way the process plays out is if
it is on our staff, we give our staff,
you need to get back to the contractor
in two days with uh a response. If it's
the contractor, we put a timeline on the
contractor. You need to get back to the
individual within five days. If it's the
individual that we're waiting on to
bring their paperwork, we have much less
control over that. So we that's where
the if we put in a hard everything will
be resolved in 10 days but we're pending
the individual returning documentation
we could then not meet our own SOP um
because the individual has taken longer
than um we intended to return the
information. But internally and with our
contractors, we do put deadlines. If
it's something simple and we know this
is a quick turnaround. If it's something
where we're going to have to bring more
people together to have a conversation,
the deadline may be longer. So, it does
depend on the complexity of the appeal
and who is needed to respond to the
information requests, but we absolutely
will have accountability and timeline
set on our employees and the work of our
contractors.
Thank you. I I I appreciate that
information. Um, so with that said, what
you were saying with waiting back on the
individual um on their paperwork, I
think we need to set a timeline for
them. So then that way it doesn't
increase the timeline, you know.
So I don't know like I think within
seven days
or five working business days, I don't
know. I mean I I figured if you if
you're going to be in need of this HCAP
program, you would think that they would
um you know give that information. Um,
but they could I I think just having
something like that written in here
stating that um the individual um that's
in the HCAP program uh be able to have
so many days to uh submit their
documentation
um and then uh kind of give them an idea
to you know that to me I just feel like
they just need to be accountable as
well. Right. Madam Chair, we can add
that, but if they bring their
documentation past that deadline, we'll
still accept it.
Yes.
Yeah.
Yeah. Thanks.
Thank you, Mr. Chair, if I may, just to
dovetail off
of what uh Commissioner Gometo said. So,
I work with immigration people in
immigration court at times. And so I'm
seeing accountability on the part of the
county, which we need timelines for the
county,
but oftent times individuals
may not have the paperwork or their
income statements or their income taxes
and they're missing some documents. So
perhaps giving them a little bit of
leeway and allowing the county to allow
these people a little more time. I know
that oftentimes people don't keep their
paperwork. I know my CPA demands to see
every single receipt I've ever spent in
the entire year, but
oftentimes or sometimes people don't
keep their receipts, their paperwork,
their tax returns. And I don't know how
you do you deal with that. I I don't
know what kind of language you would
want to apply to that, but I I see it
often in the court system where people
are missing documentations and if
there's a hard
a hard timeline, I I I don't know how
successful this will be, but I'm not a
specialist in this area. It's just a
question.
Um Mr. Mr. Chair,
if I could just suggest, Mr. Sure.
You could potentially put something
into say within 10 days of the day that
all documents are received
and then they'll know that you've got 10
day you will get it done in whatever
your date is and put that on them. They
have to have all the documents received
because you're right and if you're
trying to get u say you're trying to
find a birth certificate you may have to
go to DO and apply for it and get it. It
you may get it today, you may not. So if
you put something in like that just
within a certain amount of time and and
that gives them something to think about
it it does kind of put accountability on
them. They know they have to bring the
documents but then you you will review
it within a certain amount of time. So
maybe you could do it like that.
Thank you. Uh com uh Commissioner Kimell
that's a a good suggestion. That way the
people that I don't have control over
how long it's going to take them to get
documentation um the timeline doesn't
start until after that. The other thing
to keep in mind is these contracts are
four or eight years. Noberto
so as long as the date of service is
within those four years it would still
be covered
covered benefit. So there's not um the
for the per encounter, there's not the
risk of someone's visit not being
covered by the contract. Um as long as
it's within that. So as long as not
right before the end of the contract
date, we we do have time. Um but we can
make some adjustments, add some
specificity around that accountability
for us and the contractors.
Section four, the claims and invoice
processing. Right now, when we say
claims, we're only talking about the um
out ofstate hospital claims that we
receive. The invoice processing is the
invoices with all of the contractors. Um
that process has not changed. We get uh
a monthly invoice with a backup report
that shows each of the encounters
without any um personal identifiable
information on it. It does have a
procedure code and a diagnosis code and
then the unit cost. So that is the
monthly report that we receive to
accompany the invoice each month and
that is the responsibility of HHS staff.
Section five um describes
responsibilities for the client and the
contracted providers. This information
for the contracted providers is um also
in the contract.
The contract is the document that um has
the most power to govern the
responsibilities and requirements for
the contractor. But we also added some
language in here that talks about that.
Section six is the county's
responsibility. Um it talks about our
responsibility to oversee the program,
some of the continuous quality
improvement work and how we're going to
measure and report program
effectiveness. This is primarily just um
measuring
counting number of encounters. We're not
looking at a population health um
effectiveness with this this program.
The work that we do related to the
program effectiveness will come to you
instead of an annual report that we used
to do. You all will now get a quarterly
report.
And Commissioner Garos, we will send you
the monthly report that you asked for.
If you're following along, we're now um
section seven, program administration
and compliance. Again, this talks about
reporting and monitoring. and then any
type of policy review and update.
Our next steps,
we are using this um document to train
the eligibility staff and other staff
with the contracted organizations.
We're learning from them as we're doing
the training. So, we'll continue to
modify the SOPs as we learn from them.
If we make any significant changes, we
will bring it back to you all and update
you on those changes. Our next big step
and where um Miss Gallagher is going to
to help us is next step is to develop
the SOPs for the premium assistance and
out of pocket costs um program. So those
benefits we need to develop SOPs.
We are going to fill the program
administrator and case manager positions
in our department.
We will um continue to present
information to you all, but again
instead of an annual report, you will
receive quarterly reports and ongoing
training with all of our contractors. We
have a standing meeting with Memorial
Medical Center. We are scheduling
meetings with all of the other
contractors and visiting with them about
right now all of those trainings are in
person. We're going to ask them, do you
want any of them virtually? Do you want
any of them pre-recorded? Do you want
them on a set schedule? Do you want them
as needed? So, we are going to
accommodate whatever requests we get
from the contractors to continue to
provide them with ongoing training. And
with that, we stand for questions.
Mr. Mr. Chair.
Yes, Madam Vice Chair.
Thank you. Um
Jamie and um Mrs. Gallagher, this is a
great start with the SOPs. I'm glad to
see this um having this uh presented
here. Um so,
I know I stated that I was going to try
to get you my questions and all my um
edits to you by yesterday, but I just
couldn't. Um, as I was reading more into
it, I was saying like there's obviously
some things that we need to still
change. There's a lot of edits. And I
think if I were to go with everything
that I have so far that I would take an
hour, an hour and a half. And I think
this is a conversation that the rest of
the commissioners um need to be a part
of because um, yes, I'm I'm bringing up
the edits, but I want to I want them
obviously to chime in and see like, you
know, hey, does that work? Does that
not? why you know um so for me I would
like to see this in a workshop so that
way we can have a better discussion on
this um I'm hoping maybe like the first
um
workshop or so within September um
that's my hope to be here to do that.
[laughter]
So, um that's uh my fib feedback. And on
the template,
um for me, um I gave you that template
because I just felt like we needed
something to get started on. Um you
don't necessarily have to use it. If you
want to change it up, change it up.
That's fine with me. It's not like, you
know, oh, it's like, oh, it's got to be
that way. Um I just decided just to have
something. This was before you came in,
[laughter] before you were the part of
the process. um I just decided uh to
kind of help them out along the way with
the with something. So, but thank you
Jamie for that. This is um like I said,
I'm happy to see that we have a start
here. Um it's it's going to work out.
So, thank you. I appreciate it.
Thank you. And the template was helpful.
It was a good place to to start. I will
work with um our assistant county
manager on setting up a work session,
but we're going to continue to roll out
the the training and get feedback from
the eligibility staff. They're the ones
who do this all day long and they're the
best suited, I think, to help inform us.
Um and as we make any changes, I'll just
keep you um informed. Hopefully, they
will align with some of your suggestions
as well.
Thanks. Um one other thing, we did
discuss the resolution. there was
wording within that 2B and obviously um
if we're changing that language, we're
going to have to change the language in
the SOP. So, when we set up that um
I'm sorry, work session that we have
those um the changes that uh we
discussed on that as well. And then
that's where you can bring up okay, this
is the language that was brought up with
Commissioner Gometos and then the other
commissioners can chime in and see, you
know, if they're okay with it or not.
So, I'd appreciate that. And then um so
obviously on that work session if uh we
do decide to change that wording that's
going to affect the resolution that
resolution would need to come back to
us. I would suggest maybe the following
um um BOCC regular meeting. Excuse me.
So that way we can um approve the
changes on the resolution.
Let me grab the um SOP manual real quick
because I want to refer to to that. I
think it's page four.
Sorry. Thank you. Um, Mr. Chair um
Commissioner Camaro's page nine
number two under payer of last resort
we were able to add
of their monthly income to number two in
the SOP without changing that language
in the resolution because if you read
that citation
it includes includes of their monthly
income. So, we're not changing the
meaning of that item by adding that
language. So, I just wanted to point out
that we were able to make that change in
the SOP without changing the resolution
because if you read the entire citation,
the actual um document that that sites,
it was in there.
Okay,
that is how it's defined.
So on the resolution that portion was on
2B which would be or the monthly health
insurance premium is more than the
internal revenue service annual publish
rate pursuant. That's the one that we
were having a difficulty um
understanding
you know what what did did it mean? And
so um so obviously we were just putting
that at the end. And it was like or
monthly um health insurance premium is
more than the we were going to put in
the the percentage um of the monthly
income, right? Because that's what was
missing on that sentence. Yes.
Um according to the Internal Revenue
Service annual um and then we were going
to um have that as C its own bullet and
then the other one or their coverage is
not for the same type of care as another
bullet. Right? So, the the thing with
the HCAP, like I said, there's there's a
lot of things that I want to bring up,
but I just kind of feel like this is
going to be too long. Um,
number two and number three are actually
the same thing on the SOP. Sorry.
Correct. The the version that you have
in front of you, the print out should be
correct. That was one change from the
email version to the one that you have.
Mhm.
So two and three, like I said, on the
SOP is the same. It's it's it's actually
talking about the same thing. The
monthly premiums for the lowest price
employer based insurance or the New
Mexico I'm sorry, it's on page nine
on the 2.1
number two and three.
Number two is the monthly premium
exceeds the IRS IRS affordability thresh
threshold and that's where we added of
their monthly income and number three
refers to if the coverage that they have
does not provide the same type of
coverage that we would provide. So
number three is specifically
um for people who have Medicare. They
have coverage but their Medicare does
not cover dental. So they do qualify for
HCAP for that specific type of service.
So number two is about affordability and
number three is about type of service.
There's a lot of behavioral health
services that may not be covered but
HCAP will.
Okay. That's that's the one. So number
three is actually or their coverage is
not the same type of care provided
through HCAP. Okay. Could we make that
the same so that way the the resolution
and the SOP have the same language?
Absolutely. And you can include that um
portion um at the end uh the Internal
Revenue Service affordability threshold
established through there. But I just
kind of feel like if we're saying we're
having l different language on both of
them, I think it becomes confusing.
Thanks. Thank you. No, we can make that
change. We'll pull it out as its own
standalone item like it is in the SOP.
Okay. Thank you. And I will send you my
edits.
Perfect. Thank you.
Any other questions or comments?
No, I think um I think as the vice chair
had noted, I think, you know, if we can
have this even uh during a work session
to kind of dig in a little bit more and
and have the time to just have some fun,
um I think that would be beneficial for
for all of us.
Sounds good. Thank you very much. Thank
you.
All right. Um, so
the next item will be item 12, which is
under the the meeting minutes, but we
have I know it's already 123. Um, I
don't know if we want to take a break.
Uh, but before we do, I know we have I
see uh Mayor Nandez here. Uh, I don't
know if we want to potentially do that
and go into close session before we come
back for the other action items or
there's another
Mr. Chair, if I may.
Um, they're here for 18 and 19 or
all people involved are here. Can we
just power through and then take our
close session if that's okay with the
other commissioners?
Yeah, I mean we can do we just if we
want to
power through, I can power through. All
right. What does
And I understand that Mayor Nandis may
have brought some burgers for us maybe.
Or did he forget?
You got time before we get to 18 and
make a decision. So,
[laughter]
all right. Then, if that's the case, I
don't mind. We can continue to to push
on through. So, we'll do agenda item
number 12, which is the regular meeting
minutes for July 14th of 2026.
If I can get a motion and a second to to
begin discussion.
So moved.
All right. I'll second the motion.
So all right. Uh any changes or
comments, feedback on those meeting
minutes?
All right. Not hearing any. So with
that, uh with a motion by Vice Gomez, a
second by myself.
Then I'll ask for a roll call vote.
Well, if I may, Mr. Chair, I I was
absent for the special me meeting on
July 21st. I was out of town. How would
you like to handle that?
I'd like to abstain on that vote.
Um I mean I think either way if you want
to abstain from the agenda item and then
we can
do that. So okay.
Commissioner Sha Jordan.
Yes.
Commissioner Kimell.
Yes.
Commissioner Chabato
abstain.
Vice Chair Meadows.
Yes.
Chair Sanchez.
Yes. That item is approved. Agenda
[snorts] item next is agenda item number
13 is to approve resolution delegating
limited contract and grant approval
authority to the assistant county
managers and to the deputy county
manager. If I can get a motion.
So moved. Second.
All right. I have a motion by vice.
Second by commissioner chaparo. Thank
you all. All right. Uh let's see.
I'm just so used to seeing you with your
hat.
I could put it on if you'd like.
Chair, commissioners, thank you. Thank
you for hearing me out today. This
resolution is intended to ensure uh
county operations
continuity, I'm sorry, county operations
by authorizing signature authority to
designated officials. It delegates
limited contract grant and signature
authority to the assistant county
managers
sitting to my right and to your left and
the deputy county manager also sitting
to my right also to your left. Following
the termination of the county manager's
employment agreement, the designated
officials are authorized to expend
county funds and approve and execute
eligible contracts, grants, amendments,
change orders, task orders, and related
documents with an annual value of up to
$150,000
provided they are within approved
budgets and comply with county
purchasing policies and applicable laws.
This resolution also provides signature
authority for personnel actions to
include hiring terminations and
promotions.
In addition, we would like to amend the
resolution to authorize the designated
officials the ability to pay invoices
for purchases and contracts that the
board has already approved and any
related documents that the board had
already designated or authorized the
county manager to sign. This could be as
simple as adding a sentence to number
three so that it reads, "If and once the
BOCC awards a contract exceeding
$150,000,
the assistant county managers and deputy
county manager may negotiate and execute
the final contract and subsequent
amendments, renewals, task orders, and
change orders within the limits
established by the BOCC.
In addition, the assistant county
managers and deputy county manager are
authorized to pay invoices for purchases
and contracts regardless of dollar
amount if the board has already approved
them and to sign any related documents
that the board has already designated or
authorized the county manager to sign.
I'll take any questions and I probably
won't be able to answer them. I'll defer
to Stephen. But
All right. Thank you, Mr. [snorts] Mees.
Commission.
Thank you, Mr. Chair. I don't
If memory serves me, I thought we had
talked about maybe reducing the 150
allowable to a lesser amount.
Was there a discussion on that?
I know we we had some discussion on it.
I think what ended up when we brought
when they brought forward the the res
the this resolution, it was to maintain
just using the the original amount that
was there previously the and then just
add in the dual signature authority. Um
you know we we can entertain any type of
amendment. I think part of that may have
been to minimize as much of uh potential
delays to the departments, but I don't
know what uh what that would mean
potentially if we lowered it to I don't
know what I mean, we could potentially
look to to amend it and lower it, but
didn't know if to to what level if we
went down to 200,000 or what would that
potentially look like for the ACMS? What
or for the departments? What would that
potentially?
Mr. Lopez, would you like to chime in?
Mr. Chair Steven Lopez, one of the
assistant county managers. Um, that is
entirely the board's decision. Uh,
obviously, uh, the threshold you set,
anything above that threshold will have
to come back to the board. Um, it would
be helpful for us if there is some board
guidance as to whether what items should
maybe go on consent versus as an action
item just for efficiency of future
agendas. But, uh, we can certainly work
within whatever dollar amount the the
commission sets.
And Mr. Chair, I understand that this is
a very different situation that we're
accustomed to,
right? Uh but we're facing um that
special audit and in order at least for
me in order to comply and have better
control as a commission it might be
helpful if we reduce that to 100,000 and
just start um putting things on action
items because
I think that would be useful for us with
the audit.
Okay.
Thank you.
Are there any other questions before I
entertain some amendments or
Mr. Chair?
Yes.
So, I think the way that and I don't
want to speak about things that happen
in close session, but the way that this
is worded says that it is things that it
the board has already approved through
the budget. This is just for signature
authority. This isn't they want to
purchase a new car and they're going to
sign, you know, a check for the
treasur's office to have a new car. This
is for things that have already been
approved by this commission, by this
board in our budget. Is that correct?
That's correct, sir. They're provided
uh provided they are within approved
budgets and comply with county
purchasing policies and applicable laws.
Okay. So, if there comes an issue and
the treasur's office needs a car, that
would come before the board. Is that
correct?
Um, Mr. Chair, Commissioner Shelter, or
Nandis, unless you've already approved
such in the budget.
Okay, then I'm good with the 150 then. I
think that's reasonable, especially
since it's already been approved. Thank
you, Mr. Chair.
Thank you. And
Mr. Chair, I'd like to thank
Commissioner Shelder on this. My
computer lost power again and I didn't
have that resolution. So, thank you.
Commissioner,
are you having issues with the plugs up
here, too?
I I don't know. I had one that was it
was dying. So,
any other comments or right amendments?
Well, let me start with with the first
one because I know one that uh was that
that was requested by Mr. my which is
around the approval to pay for invoice
or approve invoices for contracts that
have already been approved.
Yes. Regardless of dollar amounts stuff
that's already been
Would you be able to read would you be
able to read that again?
Sure. And that would be at the end of
number three. It's already added on to
the one you have commissioner at the
very end. In addition, the assistant
county managers and deputy county
manager are authorized to pay invoices
for purchases and contracts regardless
of dollar amount if the board has
already approved them and to sign any
related documents that the board has
already designated or authorized the
county manager to sign.
Okay. So, I'd like to make the amendment
as uh stated.
So moved.
All right. I'll second the motion. And
so all right. So, just looking at that
amendment, are there any qu any concerns
with adding that language to item number
three to uh allow the ACMS and DCM to
approve of invoices that have already
been for signed previously signed
contracts?
Not hearing.
So, all right, Brandy, if you do a roll
call on the amendment uh that was
proposed.
Commissioner Shen on this. Yes,
Commissioner Kimell.
Yes,
Commissioner Chabato.
Yes,
Vice Chair Gomedos.
Yes,
Chair Sanchez.
Yes.
Okay, so now we're back to the uh agenda
item as as amended. Was there going to
be did we want to entertain a motion to
address the the uh amount or are we okay
with?
Okay, Mr. Chair, we don't have to make
any changes for the hiring, firing, and
promotions. That's currently in there.
Correct.
That's in the That's in the resolution
draft. Okay. Thank you then. No, I'm
good, Mr. Chair.
Okay. All right. If there are no other
comments or public input.
No.
All right. And Brandy, I'll ask for a
roll call on the agenda item as amended.
Commissioner Sha Dodinandez.
Yes.
Commissioner Kimble.
Yes.
Commissioner Chipado.
Yes,
Vice Chair Meadows.
Yes,
Chair Sanchez.
Yes,
that item does have a resolution number.
The number is 2026-93.
Very good.
Sorry. And if you see my smile, I just
happened to see that the uh AI
translated I don't know if it was
Commissioner Choparo or Gometos to
Commissioner Chipotle. So, [laughter]
unless it's my your hunger.
Yeah, this is my hunger thing that I'm
starting to see stuff there.
Got to love AI.
It [laughter] It likes to call me
Meadows.
Oh,
that's what it does. It calls me
Meadows.
Very good. Thank you, sir.
Thank you, chair. Thank you,
commissioners.
All right. Next uh will be agenda item
uh number five, which was originally on
the consent agenda. This is to accept
the FEMA DR-4886-N
subreient grant agreement with the New
Mexico Department of Homeland Security
and Emergency Management and authorizing
the county manager to execute all
related documents for the public
assistance disaster funding. If I get a
motion in a second,
so move.
Second.
All right. I have a motion by
Commissioner Shernandez, a second by
Vice Chair Gomedos. With that, I turn it
over to Miss Amanda Bowen.
Hi there. Uh, not a lot to add to what
you've already got on there. Uh again,
Amanda Bowen, your emergency manager. Um
I'm asking permission to receive federal
funds to reimburse us for uh damages due
to the botto flooding. So happy to
answer any questions, but I think it's
pretty straightforward. I don't want to
take much of your time.
Very good. No, I think I think part of
the reason why we wanted to do it was
because of allowing I mean part of the
resolution is to allow the county
manager to sign and so we wanted to make
sure I think at the request of of you
know the the the suggestion of
commissioner Kimble uh let's get number
13 and get that all delegation approved
before we approve this. So
totally understand. Yeah.
Right. [laughter] Or else you'd be
looking for a county manager to sign.
[laughter]
All righty. Are there any commissioners?
Any questions?
Right. Public input.
All right, Randy. Then if you'll do a
roll call on agenda item number five,
commissioner, we need
Oh, sorry. Please.
So, we need to change the wording from
county manager.
Okay. Yeah. So, if you want to then
before we we do a roll call, then we'll
do an amen amendment here.
We need to change it, Stephen.
Mr. Chair, uh, I I look to Alonzo for
final confirmation, but I think because
the wording of what you just approved
says and anything the commission has has
delegated to the county manager, then
we're now covered.
That is I I believe that is correct, Mr.
Chair.
Okay. All right, then. I'm okay with it.
Okay. Very good. Thank you, Commissioner
Kimell.
All right, Randy, if you do a roll call.
Commissioner Shelterandez.
Yes.
Commissioner Kimble.
Yes.
Commissioner Chaparo.
Yes. Vice Chair Gomez.
Yes.
Chair Sanchez.
Yes.
All right. Next up, agenda item number
14. It's a soul source contract between
Donana County and Environmental Systems
Research Institute, ESRI, to purchase an
enterprise license for graphical
information systems or GIS in the amount
of $586,070.
If I get a motion, a second. So move.
Second.
All right. I have a motion by uh
Commissioner Shernandez, a second by
Vice Gomeds,
Miss Aworth.
Thank you, Mr. Chair. So, we are back
here. We come back every 3 years um with
the soul source contract for Ezri, which
is our GIS service that we use and that
the county has been using for um
probably decades now. Um this is the
small government um cost that they're u
providing for the county or that they
quoted for the county. Um the total
amount that um is on the title of the
item is the full cost for three years.
And so you can see there on the screen
it's the cost broken out per year. It
has gone up about 25,000 from our
previous contract. Um which is still a
reasonable cost for a county of our size
and for the wide use that we have here
at the county. We have multiple
departments using it. Almost every
department um is using it. Um and as you
know, it's something that we utilize
every day. We've had had issues um
occasionally where it goes down and we
immediately start getting calls from the
public um departments that that access
it on a daily basis. And so um it was
posted as I mentioned as a sole source.
There were no um protests to it. And I
will stand for questions at this time.
Thank you, Miss Aworth. Commissioners,
any questions?
Public input.
All right, Randy, do a roll call vote,
please.
Commissioner Shaandez,
yes.
Commissioner Kimell,
yes.
Commissioner Chabato,
yes.
Vice Chair Gomedos,
yes.
Chair Sanchez,
yes.
Thank you.
All right. Agenda item number 15. It's
an approval to increase the New Mexico
State Contract 60-0000-25-000021
AD for the amount not to exceed
2,350,000
with Kellyan Corporation. If I can get a
motion in a second. So moved.
Second.
All right. A motion by Commissioner
Shernandez, a second by Commissioner
Chapo.
Mr. Chair English. [sighs]
Mr. Chair, the commissioners. Good
afternoon.
It's been it's been a long day. Kitten
English IT department. Uh so we have
exhausted our current limit on this
cooperative agreement and so we're
asking for just to raise that limit. The
funds that we're adding to raise the
limit have already been budgeted or
anticipated grant funding. So the bulk
of it is uh to fund some a community
connect grant which we already just
received of about $500,000.
and we've applied for another 1.5
million for a public Wi-Fi grant that
we're we should hear by the end of the
week. So, we're anticipating um that
we'll get some funding from that. So, we
wanted to go ahead and include it in
since it's such a large amount when
we're adjusting this new limit or
raising the threshold. Go ahead and
include that in. And some of the other
things that we're doing is uh we've got
uh aboutund
50 $180,000 worth of new construction
cabling that's going to go to some of
the fire buildings and community centers
that we've been doing technology
improvements on. Um detention center
improvements and on the networking side
and then that it's also including some
licensing for our new for our camera
systems.
And
that covers most of the increase that
we're asking for.
I stand for any questions.
Mr. Chair, I just have one question.
Yes. Does any of this cover any of the
uh needed infrastructure in the OEM
building out? No,
that's separate.
That's separate. Okay.
Wishful thinking.
Thank you. Other questions?
Yeah. All right. I think the only thing
that threw me off originally was it said
New Mexico state contract. I was like
looking for when I was originally
looking through this looking for NMSU
documents.
[laughter]
So, but realized it was the state of New
Mexico that uh we were using. So, okay.
All right. If there are no public input.
All right. Not seeing any. So Brandon,
if you'll do a roll call vote on agenda
item number 15.
Commissioner Shaldo Hernandez.
So moved.
Commissioner Kimell,
yes.
Commissioner Chapato,
yes.
Vice Chair Guos,
yes.
Chair Sanchez,
yes. We'll take your vote as a or take
that as a yes vote. What did I say?
So moved. [laughter]
Where's the burger?
Can we get a yes from Commissioner Shel
Hernandez?
We got We got a tight running ship here.
[laughter]
Brandy, let the record reflect that. I
voted yes.
I'll do that for you.
[laughter]
Thank you, Mr. Chair. Commissioner.
Thank you, Ken.
All right.
Agenda item number 16. It's a resolution
approving Don Countyy's fiscal year 2025
2026 fourth quarter financial report
ending in June 30th of 2026. If I can
get a motion in a second.
So moved.
Second.
Thank you. Commissioner Sheland second
by and the second by vice gos
midres.
Good morning chair commissioners
management team. Uh today we are
presenting the FY 2026 fourth quarter
report which pretty much summarizes how
the county did this previous fiscal
year. Um so as we always start off with
uh countywide sources of revenue um
overall excluding grant require grants
and fair value adjustments the county
did have an increase overall especially
in our core revenues. So if you look at
the middle column where it says
subtotal, that is what we consider core
revenues for the county and that is
probably the most important line item
that we really look at to evaluate
revenues. So um based on our adjusted
budget and our FY26 actuals, we came in
um at 235 million versus 231 million at
102%.
Um all of that is primarily driven by
our tax revenues. Um and some things
worth mentioning is within our service
revenue. So they came in a little bit
lower. Um that is because of the
decrease in federal care of prisoners
which came in at 91% um at budget uh
wastewater fees, franchise fees and the
cannabis excise tax. So those are some
of the revenues office of performance
and budget uh will continue to monitor
as we lead into FY27.
Um other revenues also significantly
exceeded budget um which were led by
license and permits, election
reimbursements and other miscellaneous
revenues like insurance recoveries and
then investment revenues. Thankfully, um
the interest earnings continue to
outperform expectations reflecting
favorable investments performance by the
treasur's office. Um and then grants did
finish below budget. Um that is because
full grant awards are typically given up
front um while grants are expended over
multiple fiscal years. So we won't see
the full impact of the reimbursements
just yet. But um overall the county is
doing great.
Um next we have our general fund
revenue. So same thing here. Um we see
the same trend. So we see the continued
performance above expectations in our
tax revenues driven primarily by
property tax collections which came in
at 104% budget while GRT remained stable
at 98%
of the budget. um which is awesome. Uh
and then our service revenues um they
finished a little lower again because of
franchise fees, other service revenues,
motor vehicle fees, county clerk fees.
Um well, county clerk fees actually came
in a little higher as well as landfill
fees. Um same thing with other revenues.
Licensing permits came above, election
reimbursements, penalties, and interest
came above. and our investments show the
same trend as the overall county. So
core revenues are doing great. Um and
then the figures and grants and the fair
value adjustment, those last two n
items, um they're just for accounting
purpose adjustments, but they're
material compared to the overall
revenues coming in. So compared to the
adopted budget of 142 million, we did
end up getting 153 million at the end of
the year. So revenues are strong and
that is a great sign for the county.
Um next we move on to our countywide
expenditures. Um so personnel
expenditures finish approximately 9.5
million below budget largely reflecting
vacancies, employee turnover and ongoing
workforce management throughout the
fiscal year.
Operating cost um is at 85%.
So, county departments did maintain
strong fiscal discipline, ending the
year 15% below budget while continuing
to support county operation operations
and service delivery. Uh, debt service
came in at 97% which is wonderful
because that means we're meeting the
majority of our obligations on time. So,
our total core operations we came in at
88% which is great. Um that is one
number that we would not want to exceed.
Uh capital outlay came in at 48% that is
because the uh the majority of the
projects will roll over into FY27 as
they are multi-year projects. Uh same
thing with grants we get the money up
front but it does take years to spend
down on those grants. So overall, out of
the $43 million adopted, the budget did
increase to $457 million and we spent
$295
million.
And [clears throat] this beautiful wall
of numbers explains our FY26
expenditures based off the department's
total operations.
Um so there was several departments that
experienced higher than budgeted uh
costs and that is primarily driven by
personnel costs due to retirey leave
payouts, incentive pay, insurance cost
increases and staffing fluctuations. Um
but luckily those departments did have
savings in their operating budget. So we
were able to strategically cover uh the
increases in those costs. Um and then
the departments towards the bottom that
didn't that had low percent uh low
percent of expenditures that is because
they are either new departments or they
have a lot of new initiatives that are
barely getting off the ground. So we'll
continue to monitor in future fiscal
years to see what are some appropriate
budget levels based on a fiscal year
basis. Um so overall the adjusted budget
was 239 million and 211 million of that
was spent.
Um and then here general fund
expenditures it pretty much tells the
same story that we've been seeing
throughout the the previous reports. So,
the county generated strong revenues,
carefully managed expenditures, and
concluded the fiscal year with
approximately $14 million in operating
savings while continuing to provide core
services to our residents.
Um, and then this is the FY26 recap that
is based off the fund structure of DFA
funds.
Um, this pretty much it shows that the
county concluded FY26
with 285 million 286 million in
revenues, $295 million in expenditures
and an ending cash balance of $161
million.
um our cash position. So despite
expenditures exceeding current year
revenues at the DFA DFA level, the
county concluded FY26 with a strong
ending cash balance of 161 million
including 61 million available after
required reserve designations. Uh which
shows that we are in a good financial
position.
Um and the main driver for expenditures
being over revenues is the use of
restricted cash. So that is primarily
driven by projects like roads
initiative, the use of fire excise tax
for renovating and upgrading fire
stations and purchasing fire equipment,
the building of the BOE warehouse and
the OEM facility. Um, but our
unrestricted cash did go up by a million
dollars, which is awesome to see.
And our next step is just to submit this
fourth quarter report that is due to DFA
by July 31st.
And I will stand for questions.
Thank you, Eric. Commissioners, any
questions on the uh end of year report?
All right.
public input.
All right. If there are no other
questions, comments, uh, Brandy, if you
do a roll call on agenda item number 16.
Commissioner Shaldoandez,
yes.
Commissioner Kimble,
yes.
Commissioner Chapato,
yes.
Vice Chair Gomedos,
yes.
Chair Sanchez,
yes.
All right,
that does have a resolution number. The
number is 20226-94.
Okay, next up, agenda item number 17.
It's a resolution adopting joining
county's fiscal year 2627 final budget.
If I get a motion in a second.
So moved.
All right, I have a motion by Vice
Gomez. I'll second that motion.
And uh back to you, Eric.
Hope you guys didn't miss me from the
last presentation to this one. Uh bad
joke. So um for this presentation we are
presenting the FY2027
final proposed budget. Um what we are
going to cover today is the adjustments
made after the preliminary budget
approval. Um which includes updates to
grant balances, approved capital
projects, personnel changes, and board
directed priorities while maintaining
the county's overall balance budget.
Um so changes to final revenue. We
increased the budget or recommended the
increase of the budget for 16.34 million
uh taking up the total revenues to $361
million primarily because of the GO bond
proceeds those $10 million um and
department grant budgets which are
standard
uh standard increase that we do every
year. Um and then the GO bond proceeds
will be to provide funding for major
capital priorities including the
amphitheater, fairgrounds and high mess
road improvements. Um specifically
related to um item two that was voted on
by the people.
Um and then these are the changes to the
final expenditures. In this first slide
I will cover the changes to personnel
costs and operating. And on the next
slide, I will cover the changes to
capital um adjustments.
Um so, uh the changes and adjustments to
personnel costs are two additional
assistant county attorney positions
requested by the commission and one
position in the office of budget and
performance for project and capital
budgeting requested by the management
team. And then just some minor changes
to DWI fee program adjustments.
Um then we also have adjustments to
operating cost. I did have a question on
this slide. Uh I can go through each of
these one by one. I could speed through
these um unless the board has had a
chance to read through the notes or has
any specific questions on these
adjustments.
Mr. Chair.
Yes.
So
thank you Mr. Chair. Um, regarding
adjustments to personnel costs on two
additional assistant county attorney
positions for the total of $32,756.
I'm aware that there is a need to
increase the presence of our legal
department,
but what I'd like to see is not just
that language of two additional
assistant county attorney positions, but
in order to attract um the kind of
experience we need, I I I'd like to not
have such specific language, but just
have that budget.
So, if we need to hire a county attorney
when I I I don't know if that's open
yet. Is that position open yet?
I'm getting a yes from one assistant
county manager and a no from the other.
It's in the budget.
We are checking right now to see if it's
posted. Billy, that's your question.
Well, that's one of my questions, but
it is vacant. We can confirm that.
Okay. It's vacant.
But but my question I guess is
if we need to increase the pay to
attract the kind of
county attorney that is needed at this
time. So are we just bent set on just
having two additional assistant county
attorney positions? Can we move that
money around a little bit is my
question.
Uh chair uh Commissioner Chaparo. Yes.
Um I we put that there just for the
verbiage of it. Um but that can be
shifted into uh one less position or
convert that into just one position.
Right now it is just the overall budget
that is there. Um and one thing that
I've seen that has worked before is that
usually the uh positions that are harder
to fill usually have incentive pays
attached to them. Um so that might be
something worth considering. We don't
have to build that necessarily into the
budget right now because we usually
cover that with savings down the road.
Uh and if uh you see the need for one
more, two more positions, uh we could
always reanalyze our revenues and
expenditures and then uh we could bring
back an adjustment. Uh
we might get lucky and just get four
attorneys for the price of two.
It's all on the table. Yes.
Thank you, [laughter]
Mr. Chair.
Yes. Uh, Lucia,
and I would like to add that we do
budget for the positions typically at
midpoint of the pay ranges, but that
doesn't limit us to, hey, you know, we
have this candidate with this experience
and because we budget at midpoint,
that's the max we could go to. We do
have some flexibility because we may
have some savings for one position um,
in general fund that we could attribute
to applying that to this position. And
so, I just wanted to add that.
Thank you, Lucio. Appreciate the
explanation.
Thank you, Lucia.
And then, uh, circling back to the
adjustments for operating cost. Um,
those are the adjustments we did put,
uh, the majority of the or all of the
explanation within the within the notes,
but I can move forward um or I can go
into detail for all of these. I'm just
not sure. Uh, I know we did send out
this presentation a little late, so I
don't know if there's been enough time
to review these adjustments or if
there's any questions. Um, but overall
we have a $3.2 million adjustment, but I
can proceed unless there's any
questions.
Perfect. Okay. Um, and then these are
the changes to capital. Um, this is a
summary of it. $15 million adjustment.
Um this breaks down into a total of 52
different capital projects that were
adjusted. Um but we just summarized it
by department and some of the joint uh
capital projects that departments have
going on. For example, uh OEM and
facilities are working on the OEM
building and fire and facilities are
working on several u fire stations. But
um the big one also to note is the
construction go bond. We are budgeting
for that money as expenditures are
starting to come in and we do expect the
revenues to start coming in in September
from the go ones.
Um and then here we have some of the
highlights for our revenues and
expenditures. Um so we did incorporate
the pilot payments of approximately
$10.8 million and we added the bond
proceeds of 10 million uh for the pilot
payments. We did mention it uh I believe
at the retreat and also we put it in the
notes of the last presentation but we
wanted to put it on the slide itself
this time just to make sure everybody is
aware. Um that adjustment is needed to
help cover the big hits that we had this
year with expenditures.
Uh so the 5% uh increase for positions
was a $1.6 million impact. Uh the 16%
increase in health insurance was a $2.5
million impact. Union step increases is
estimated at 1.8 million. New positions
is 1.5 million uh from the preliminary
and three three of the positions
potential positions uh 419,000.
Then we did have the Cessor and Flood
join the general fund based off of uh
some recent statues that were looked at
for 1.7 million and $2.5 million
respectively.
Fun stuff. Um
so this is what our countywide sources
of revenue uh sum up to with all of
these adjustments. So, uh, the overall
difference from the preliminary budget
to the final proposed budget, uh, went
up $16.3 million, uh, to $361 million of
expenditures,
uh, or revenues, my apologies. And then
our expenditures went up $18.13
million from 395 million to $413 million
budget. So, when anybody asks, hey, what
is the county's budget? uh that 413
million that's the number that's
typically referred to. Um and then again
this is our summary of our budget at the
DFA fund level. We are budgeting for
more expenditures than revenues but that
is because of capital projects and
grants. Um overall we still do maintain
a balanced budget. Um, and we still are
estimating to end the year um with
adjusted ending cash of $71 million
after our reserve requirement of $37
million. So we if the budget is spent at
100% um we will budget to spend $52
million of reserves. Um but unrestricted
budget is also if it's spent at 100% or
cash um we will be looking at $27
million of adjusted ending cash at the
end of the year but that is rarely the
case and we combat that with our
balanced budget. Um, so our FY27
revenues are going to come in at 461
million and expenditures at 413 million,
which leaves a deficit of 52 million.
But after we take out uh some of the
expenditures in the restricted funds,
one-time capital items, um other items
like the vent fund carryover and
one-time items and operations, that does
leave the county with a $4.5 million
surplus, which is awesome. That's why I
have a lot of hair on my head. Um, so
the next um, bad joke next steps would
be to get our budget uh, submitted to
DFA by July 31st. Um, and then DFA does
have until September 1st to approve our
budget.
And without any further ado, I stand for
questions.
Thank you, Eric. Commissioners
questions.
Mr.
Chair, it's not so much a question, but
a comment as to how I'd like to move
forward regarding community development
in the southern part of the state where
the the commission and the county is
moving into a hardy or robust economic
development department.
And so I recall speaking about this two
or three years ago uh and I think you
were chair back then as well,
Commissioner Sanchez. Um, but what I'd
like to see us moving forward is
becoming a member of the Border
Industrial Association. So, it's my
recommendation for this year to reduce
Mavvita's budget by $20,000 to move the
$20,000 over to the BIA, the Border
Industrial Association, so that we can
have representation
on that board and then really start
talking not this year but the following
year uh regarding reducing our
contribution to Mova since we're moving
towards a more robust economic
development department and and we can
move forward with positions within the
county to address that. Um so my
suggestion is to again reduce MVITA's
monies this year by 20,000 to allow us
to join Border Industrial Association.
And Mr. Lopez, I believe that's $20,000.
Is that correct,
Mr. Chair? Commissioner Chapato, yes.
Their highest level of membership is
$20,000. And there's a lot of things
going on down there and and Mr. Pacheco
has had his finger on the pulse of Santa
Theesa and Sunland Park for years and
to be part of the border industrial
association I think would be a good idea
at this point seeing that project
Jupiter is coming in and other movement
or other companies are moving in as
well. Uh so that's my suggestion and
then regarding uh because this is a
two-year budget. So after this year
having some conversations about how we
move forward with supporting MVITA
um
and reducing that in order to support
the county's economic development
department. Thank you, Mr. Chair.
Thank you, Commissioner.
Mr. Chair, Mr. yourself.
Um, I think it's great that we want to
support BIA. I think that's perfectly
fine. Uh, since Eric has found hair on
his head and money in the coffers. Oh,
money hair on the beard. Sorry, sir.
Um, wishful thinking though. I get it.
Thank you.
Uh, maybe we can just pull that out of
um the surplus for this year and just
try to budget the 20,000 per year. Um,
and that way we're not infringing on any
commitments that we've already made,
especially since it's already in the
middle of July. Um, just a thought, but
good with whatever the board decides.
Just think that we can definitely pull
it out of this surplus we have. Thank
you, Mr. Chair.
Mr. Chair.
Yes, I agree with Commissioner Cho
Hernandez. Well, my tongue does not want
to work with those two names.
[laughter]
just that um you know I I do agree with
um let's put some funding into the BIA
um um I know Mvita they are working
throughout all of Donana County just not
the northern part um so because I've
already met some businesses from the
southern industrial area that they were
a part of so um I think we just should
just leave it the way it is and just go
ahead and um up the money for BIA.
Do we have the money just to just put
$20,000 in there in the surplus?
Mr. Chair, Commissioner, um Kimble, yes.
And so there is the surplus. And so this
board uh may want to consider amending
this final budget proposal to include
20,000 for this purpose.
And I and I understand I think the
concerns I think Mr. Chapo I think one
of the things maybe um
you know I think if we're open to it I
know this is going to be a by this is
going to be a two-year budget cycle. So
I think if if we're open to it I I I can
go wherever the the commission wants to
go and I understand because I think
we're trying to figure out the best way
to spend our monies. Um, you know, if we
want I know we had talked about uh in
August there was supposed to be uh a
report end of year report by Mvita and I
think if if we want to maybe have maybe
some uh discussion on what we want to
see and how we uh feel that they're
effectively using the funds. I think
that might be a good way to go. If if
not, if we're if we feel like they're
not meeting uh some of the key
deliverables that we're asking for, then
we can look at this, you know, the next
year's budget or find other ways through
the through the year that that you know,
we have,
you know, we we hold them accountable, I
guess, so to speak, if they're not if we
feel like they're not delivering on what
we've asked of them.
Thank you, Mr. Chair. And I'm fine
taking $20,000 out of surplus. However,
moving forward, I'd like to have
um deliverables most certainly, but also
I mean to me and and you and I had this
conversation a few years ago, but if
we're if we're going to make economic
development a full department within the
county and this is taxpayers money,
folks. either we move back and step back
from the economic development department
and allow MVIA and BIA to move forward
or we have a robust and hearty economic
development department. But to me it
just
it doesn't make sense. I mean we're
hiring economic development. We have a
director here. We have her department is
increasing. And I mean this the reason
we move forward with an economic
development department within the county
was so that we could work on the
projects that are important exclusively
to do Donana County and and I just don't
see spending money on both.
Yeah. But I'm fine increasing the budget
to 20,000 to include BIA and then having
that discussion in August on how
we need to move forward with an economic
development department within the county
that just belongs to us so that this
commission and this staff can work
handinand with our economic development
director or the department as to how we
wish to
utilize the county staff. to attract
businesses and such. And in fact, I was
having a conversation with the chair. I
was in a conference in LA and they had
over a thousand attendees and one of the
best swag came from El Paso, Texas. They
went all the way to the NLEO conference
and had something that was just so
simple but so catchy that that ex ex um
exhibit or that little table within the
exhibition call was uh conference hall
was one of the most popular and it was
just simple. It was three words that
described El Paso.
So thank you Mr. Chair.
Thank you. And I I think I I think it's
a fair point because I think like you're
saying as we invest into our department,
how do we start, you know, minimizing
what we need outside because I think
that's always been where we've
traditionally been. So I think it's a I
think it's a good point. So we can
No, no, no. I No, I don't think I said
any better. I think you you're just
I I think uh yeah, I understand. And so
I think I'd be looking forward to the
discussion and trying to see exactly how
how they best dovetail into our into our
facil into our activities but
understanding kind of where we're trying
to invest in internally how we're
driving that that discussion. So all
right I guess if that's the case I'll
entertain a motion to amend or a motion
for an amendment.
Mr. Chair, I'd like to amend that we uh
take $20,000 out of the BIA or out of
surplus for the BIA contract for fiscal
year 27 and fiscal year 208.
Second.
All right. I have a motion by
Commissioner Sheland, second by
Commissioner Chado uh to amend for or to
amend the budget for an additional
20,000 for the BIA.
Are there any other comments, questions?
Just a comment,
Mr. Chair. Um, you know, I think we
all I'm going to say is that I think
that since we are kind of putting a lot
on Denise right now, sorry, Denise, but
economic development has been one of our
focal points here at the county um for
the last year and a half, two years. And
as we've created the economic
development department um
my second year we this commission
approved the economic development um
department. We hired our first economic
developer and I think we're on the right
track with that. But this county
commission needs to, in my thoughts, we
need to put our money where our mouth
is. And if we're going to support MVITA
and BIA, I think we should definitely
look at supporting um the greater
chamber, Hispano chamber as well as the
um green chamber. And the reason why I
say that is because a lot of times when
we're here on this dis and we saw today
we do get a lot of people from the
chamber of commerce coming to our
meetings speaking on issues engaging the
people engaging um our creative
industries engaging our economic
development department and I think it
would be beneficial for us to kind of
look at that in the future. It can
always be a budget adjustment. I do not
want to make another amendment today,
but you know, we we constantly see this
commission supporting things that are
economic development or economic
drivers. We supported the sound studio.
We've supported um film loss cruises.
We've supported the international uh
film fest. And I think if we're going to
support one, we should be supporting
more economic drivers. So that would be
my only kind of
comment is that maybe we should look at
that in the future. Thank you
and Mr. Chair.
Yes, Commissioner.
Um, Commissioner Sheldon on this great
idea. Excellent point. And I if our
assistant county managers, we're we are
members of the three chambers, are we
not?
And if we're not, [clears throat]
we don't pay anything.
Hence why they never wanted to name the
Los Cusus day in Santa Fe the Donana or
the Messia day valley day in Santa Fe
because we don't give them a dollar.
Well, if that's the case,
if we can look that up quickly,
we are members of the Chamber of
Commerce,
Mr. Chair, um, Vice Chair, we are
members of the Greater Chamber of
Commerce. We'll have to look at the
other two.
Yes,
we are. And we are at the highest tier
of membership um as of 18 months ago.
Oh, 18 months ago. Okay. Sorry.
Well, and if we're not members of the
other chambers, I'd like to make an
amendment to add the greater pardon me
chamber of commerce and the green
chamber of commerce
and whatever that is. I don't know what
the membership is.
Guess we can look quickly.
Mr. Chair and uh Commissioner Chafato,
we will look those up. Assuming that
your amendment to the amendment gets a
second and that it gets into final,
we'll add it accordingly.
Second.
Uh
so we're amending Hold on.
Because the first one has to be approved
first and then
correct
make another amendment. Great.
So let we'll take the the first
amendment on the BIA
and then we'll add this other amendment.
We'll do this other movement.
[laughter]
I got it.
Okay. So we'll do the So we'll do the
Hold on. The the motion on the floor
right now is to amend to add for the BIA
membership fee.
So we can vote on that.
Okay. Commissioner Sha Jordan on this.
So moved. Commissioner Kimell,
abstain.
Sorry. Yes.
We have a yes. Abstain.
Commissioner Chaparo.
Yes.
Vice Chair Gomez.
Yes.
Chair Sanchez.
Yes.
All right. So now I'll entertain a
motion to
add into the budget the membership fees
for the Green Chamber of Commerce and
the Espano Chamber of Commerce.
So moved.
Um pause. Before we do that, Mr. Chair,
there's also is there an Anthony and a
Hatch Chamber of Commerce as well?
I don't think so. But
I just handed Commissioner Shelter
Hernandez yes or no. [laughter] He can
hold it up. Thank you.
There is not. Okay. Just wanted to ask.
I second your motion. Okay.
So, I have a motion and a second to uh
amend the budget to add for membership
fees. I know that'll be we'll get those
exact numbers added hopefully.
So, we'll we'll add that to the approved
budget.
There's no other comments, questions at
this point, then I'll ask for a motion
to or not a motion, a vote to approve or
vote on the amendment.
Sorry.
Commissioner Shelderandis.
Yes.
Commissioner Kimell,
yes.
Commissioner Chabato,
yes.
Vice Chair Meadows,
yes.
Chair Sanchez,
yes.
All right. So, we're back to the budget
as as amended. Are there any other
amendments or questions, comments before
we vote on the on that?
Yes.
I just wanted to make one last comment,
chair. Um, this will be my last
presentation um bringing to the board.
Um, but I just wanted to say it's been
an honor and a privilege serving the
board departments and our community
members. So sorry, but I [clears throat]
just I wanted to thank you all um when I
had the chat. So I appreciate everything
you have done for us.
Thank you. Eric,
are you going somewhere or
maybe Yeah. Yes. [laughter]
I wanted to say it at the end so I
didn't overshadow the presentations, but
yes.
I'm going to miss your jokes. my hair
style, too. I know.
You make it so light and so fun.
Thank you. I wish you the best.
Thank you.
Thank you. I know you you've had a lot
of work. Um I know there's been um been
a lot of growth that you've had over the
past year. So, just want to say thank
you.
Me, too.
For what you've done.
Thank you for the opportunity,
Mr. Chair.
Yes.
Thank you, Eric.
I really appreciate your openness
whenever you and I have spoken and your
willingness to help me understand
budgets better.
With that, uh, Brandy, if you do a roll
call agenda item 16 as amended. No.
17.
As amended.
Commissioner Sha Jordnandez.
Yes.
Commissioner Kimble.
Commissioner Chabato.
Yes.
Vice Chair Gometo.
Yes.
Chair Sanchez.
Yes.
And this will be my last time giving
Eric a resolution number. We will miss
you very much. Resolution number
2026-95.
Thank you, Brandy.
Good luck.
And Mr. Chair, I just received a
response. It's a $10,000 membership fee
for the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce.
All right. Uh, next is item 18. Let's
approve a memorandum of understanding
with the town of Messia and the Messiah
Fire Department to provide a minimum of
48 hours of emergency response from
Donana Fire Rescue Station number 13 on
South Valley for the annual amount of
$600,000.
If I get a motion in a second,
so moved.
I have a motion by Vice Gomez, a second
by Commissioner Kimble, Chief Ec.
Hello. How you all doing? chair, vice
chair, commission, um, fire chief sha
joined today, uh, with me is also chief
of Messiah Fire Department, Greg White
had also joined me in this had a
presentation. I'm not sure if it was a
task. It didn't come across, but I'm
sad. So, went through all that work. Um,
and I'm kind of sad, too, that I got to
follow that announcement. Like, man,
just let's not follow that announcement
back. No, no. I mean, I got the hair to
take up for it, but man, yeah, I'm sad,
man. That hurts my heart, man. Um, so I
apologize. Apparently, my ability to add
stuff is still lacking. Please forgive
me, but did have a presentation and to
kind of go over this uh request because
I have two requests in front of you. Uh,
this one right now with MSIA and then
another one with NMSU uh for really
realistically performing almost the same
things. Um the purpose of this request
and where it's uh all coming from is
when I started in this position, one of
the things I was greeted with was a uh
state inspection by the state fire
marshal. And at the end of that
inspection, a couple of things were
brought to light. And that is that we
have 19 stations in the the county. And
of those 19, only eight of those are
currently occupied with career staff.
And so we have a fair amount of stations
that are unfortunately not being used
and not being utilized. And it caused
some concern for the state that we have
they're giving us money for these
stations and we're really not seeing any
use out of them. And then the other part
that came into that conversation was
also the uh issue with potential ISO
impact by not having responses out of
those stations. And so we've been
looking at ways to try to improve that
uh internally. And then we started
looking externally. Internally we have
already made uh adjustments to our
response model. We have our stations uh
kind of what we we call the sister
station program right now where like
station 55 is spending time at station
54 to try to spend time responding from
that station to try to improve those the
numbers coming for them so we justify
why we continue to claim this as a fire
station. Obviously all these things are
being done as we continue to grow and
develop this organization. I mean the
end result is hopefully to have these
stations filled. I mean that's but
that's not anything that can happen
today. That's anything that's going to
happen in honestly the next couple
years. Uh we're going to continue to
grow and develop. And so uh when we were
I was reaching out to try to figure out
what else we can do uh to try to improve
that. Uh some ideas that were uh
discussed with ACM Lopez was reaching
out to MSIA to see if they can assist us
with uh one continuing what they've
already been providing the county but
also spending time out in our in station
13 on the one on uh valley to cover that
south valley area because we don't have
a career staff out of there. And so
approached uh Chief Whited and we talked
about this and we were looking at what
is it going to take in order to to get
that to occur. And one of the uh the
idea we came up with is like let's work
on and see if we can get at least at
minimum a 48 hour coverage of station 13
while at the same time we'll continue to
support and cover the county as they've
already been doing for what over two
years now, right? And so they've already
been covering and helping cover um that
region as well. And so this just now
provides them the opportunity. Um and
also strategically for them now they got
their station in MSA and now they're
going to be able to have their apparatus
parked there at station 13. And so it's
strategic for them too as well. And so
um kind of came to an agreement, hey,
let's see if we can get this done. Um
and then we were looking at the cost of
trying to get this and how do they can
accomplish getting this done. And
obviously it takes people to get these
things. I mean that's one of our issues
too as well is um we we need people as
well. And so um came forward and he
requested an amount of 600,000 in order
to improve that staffing level to be
able to provide that level of service.
And so that's what we come forward today
requesting uh an approval of anou with
MISIA for 600,000 for coverage of and
it's listed as coverage of station 13
but it's truly the response through that
entire region of the of the um of the
county and to continue to provide that
as they've been providing and we already
had an agreeou last year with them for
this and we've been uh paying kind of
almost paying them to help us in that
region and uh just looking to continue
and actually grow that into a more
robust response. Um some other benefits
to this too as well is obviously it's
trying to help a community partner grow
and build their systems too as we all
ran into this same issue years ago when
uh when we cancelled the contract with
AMR a lot of us found ourselves in
positions where we had to start taking
on those higher levels of service and so
just trying to help them also bolster
their system too as well. Um included in
this will be a um also they'll be
community partner working with us uh
being involved in the system that we're
trying to build. We have really come a
long way in uh in our recent well in our
automatic aid system. The regional
response that we're seeing in this
community has been fabulous. It's
probably one of my favorite things. One
of the biggest reasons I've even
continued in this position that I've had
and I I when asked if I will continue to
serve as chief, one of the biggest
reasons I said yes is because I love the
direction this is going. This is what
I've been wanting to see for decades as
I've served in this community is that
we've gone from these isolated little
pots trying to take care of themselves
to a regional response. Um you if a
structure fire, a cardiac arrest or a
significant accident occurs right now in
the central region of the county, you're
getting MSIA, you're getting county,
you're getting city fire, you're getting
NMSU, you're getting this robust
response. We're trying to send the
closest unit that can get there and
deliver the best they can to get that
care to our citizens as quickly as
possible. And this is just hoping to
continue to build that. Um, one of the
other components of this that we're
going to look to leverage is that as we
are all growing up in this is, uh, once
the billing process starts for Messiah,
um, one of the things we're going to try
to do is kind of offset our costs a
little bit. Once they start to bill,
then basically any money they generate
transporting county patients that come
from the region outside of the town of
Messia, we will use what uh any of the
money they gain from that will offset
the payment we're making to them. So
hopefully we can start kind of we're
giving them a lot to kind of get going
and then hopefully we can start finding
the right balance in that in order to
help uh build again a better system that
that could use that assistance and also
build a better system for us.
Hey,
now that you're done, [laughter]
let's let's now see if you're act if
this was accurate. So
it was great.
So this was just really showing the
station 13 and where that's located.
That's the area we're going to ask them
to cover. I just want to point out real
quick that green on there is a heat map
of calls and call volumes that occur and
that's where we're kind of looking for
that. Um this is only two when I took
this picture was a 14-day view. This is
and so it is it is a busy area of the
county and that's where getting that
response from there will be very
beneficial. Right. Uh again, this was
the cost we were looking at the 600,000.
550 is for the service and then 50,000
to to kind of support them being at that
station and uh and taking care of the
personnel that are going to be working
outside of that. And then when the
building begins, their collections will
be generated toward offsetting the cost
of this. Um
so and then again this was my
conversation about the ISO and why where
my concerns are coming forward where I'm
looking at the number of unmanned
stations stations without responses. The
impact that's going to have to our
overall ISO is something that I am
concerned about moving into our
inspection which is probably slated to
be either at the very end of this year
or into the spring of 27. Um, so
hopefully we can get these things up and
running. And that's the benefit of using
this is if we try to do it ourselves.
Um, again, it's 1.2 million for us to
staff a station. That's just to get the
number of personnel there. And then also
the time like for us to get this going
is going to take us a little over a year
and a half at best to be able to get
somebody into that station and staffed
out. But if we do that, then I lose my
opportunities to build, I think, the
stations that are a little bit more
important for this organization moving
forward, which is building up the south
part of the county. Uh that south part
doesn't have a robust response system
like the central and north part does. Um
down south, it's Sunland and and us. And
so really looking at building the hazmat
station, another station in Mosqu and
getting those areas built up a little
bit better so that we can uh get a
better response in the south. and then
utilize this partnership for these
agencies we have uh in this region to
help us kind of continue to provide that
level of service. Right? So yeah, and
again talking about that like trying to
just improve that response. But so
that's uh my presentation. I stand for
any questions or if you have any
questions for Chief White as well.
Commissioners questions.
I I just have a question. Chief, first
of all, as an interpreter, you'd be hard
to keep up with.
[laughter]
You're speaking about 300 words a
minute.
Yes, ma'am.
So, and you said to get the right
balance and and so that just stuck in my
head. What is the right balance between
Messiah and the county in your mind?
Because I'm I'm looking at the numbers.
Um
so, regarding money, what is the right
balance?
Yeah. So for me to get down to that
right balance is to to get there would
be roughly in about that 400 to 350
balance would would get us right where
we needed to be because we're still
getting money from the state for that
station and right and we're going to get
money from the state. we get roughly
$250 to $275,000
a year for those stations. And so um and
then I think once we get that and then
just the additional service they provide
this community being part of that
response I think will um I think that's
that extra
50 to 80,000.
Right. So another question how many EMS
responders does missia have
I'll be
chair and commissioners. Thank you. So,
right now we currently have four paid
staff and uh two of them are paid by the
county. They were under the EMS grant
when we discontinued uh service with
AMR.
I have 37 people on the roster and we're
I have seven paramedics right now that
volunteer with Missia Fire. So, we have
a lot of EMS and I have a lot of those
members that want to apply for these
positions if they become
available. the the number of calls that
we're picking up right now with station
12 temporarily assigned to station 13,
our call volume dropped by about 40%.
So, it's a a lot of incidents that we
normally pick up in the South Valley
area and it's because we're closest, it
makes the most sense for us to be there.
San Pablo,
correct? And uh but our call volume in
the last four years has gone from 400
calls a year to 2,000 calls a year.
We're on we're on track to 2,000 for
this year. So 40% of those are in South
Valley and I've done some rough numbers.
I mean longterm the goal is for us to be
able to provide for ourselves. That's
the long-term goal. Be self- sustaining.
We pay for all of our own people. This
is just kind of the the kickoff to help
us get there. The long-term goal if if
we were billing right now for EMS a very
conservative amount. I was looking at
about 300,000 a quarter for us. And
that's a a lot of I'm sorry 300,000 a
year. That's a lot of money compared.
That's for our small town. So I can
already offset half of that if we were
billing right now, which we're working
on.
And is that mostly automobile accidents
as opposed to fires
for the calls?
Yes.
Mostly medical response. So not motor
vehicle accidents, not fires. It's
mostly medical response. requests for
anywhere from a lift assist to a CPR.
So you said you you move from 400 calls
to 2,000 calls.
Yes, ma'am. And that's primarily medical
calls in the county.
That's 400%.
Yes, ma'am. I understand that. I
It's a lot of calls.
I get a headache thinking about it, too.
Thank you.
Yes, ma'am.
I'm sorry, Mr. Chair. So, how long will
it take your
uh staff to become EMS certified? The
ones that are thinking about it, what's
the time frame for that,
ma'am? They're already certified. The
ones that the job descriptions we set
up, we're already requiring at least in
EMT basic.
But you said there's people waiting
there. I have volunteers that want to
come work for me and get paid.
Thank you.
Yes, ma'am.
All
right. There are no other questions
or public input.
Oh,
Mayor Nandez,
I'll keep it short and sweet. Mr. Chair,
members of the commission, I you know, I
Russell Hernandez, Mayor Tanamsia. Um,
as you notice, I I sat I was sitting
down as because I support my team uh
just as you support your team. And this
is collaboration of our uh leadership
within our organizations coming together
for the better of our community and
providing the services that are
necessary for our community. And that's
exactly what we're seeing here is how
the interoperability agreement that we
enacted years ago now uh is really
working for our communities and
providing the services. It's just now we
we're trying to take that a step further
in that because we do take a burden as a
smaller uh community on that. So, I I
appreciate the uh thought in in this and
the consideration. Um, and that like I I
mentioned, this is truly our leaders
coming together uh to work for our
constituents, for our people, and
providing the services that are
necessary uh to continue everything
going. So, thank you for that.
Thank you, Mayor.
Any other public input? Right. If not,
Randy, if you do a roll call on uh on
the agenda item.
Commissioner Shao Nandez.
Yes.
Commissioner Kimble.
Yes.
Commissioner Chaparo.
Yes.
Vice Chair Gomez,
yes.
Chair Sanchez,
yes.
All right. Next up, agenda item number
19. approve a memorandum of
understanding with New Mexico State
University for 24-hour respon fire
response from DAC station 17 at NMSU
campus and 84 hours per week of EMS
response from 17 from station 17 and
station 15 in Lasuras where 48 hours per
week will occur from station 15 for the
final amount of $400,000. If I get a
motion in a second move
second.
All right, we have a motion in a second.
Chair Commission, I will slow down a
little bit. Ma'am, I'm sorry I was
saying that I know you all tired. It's
been a long day and I think I was
speaking fast to get you home. So, um,
similar to what we just had in the
conversation with Messia, uh, it's the
same partnership that we're working on.
It's an existing partnership too as
well. Um, NMSU is still very much a part
of our organization. Um, they they serve
under the organization in their
response, in their fire response and EMS
response. It's they operate as a member
of Donani County Fire and Rescue.
They're on our staff board. I mean, our
shift board. I mean, so they're part of
this organization. They're just paid
from a different place, right? Um, but
similar to what we've been doing with
Miss, we've been doing this with NMSU as
well. We've already had a current uh
agreements with them to help support
them, continuing to provide that level
of service. It is more than just inside
the area of NMSU. They served the entire
region. Um in 2026
um trending on 2025 they were the fourth
busiest engine in our organization. Um
so they respond to a lot of calls. They
they've been stepping up and helping
respond to our incidents within the
county. And so we're just looking to try
again coming back to what I was
concerned with our ISO with the state uh
findings to try to see how we can get a
little bit more service use a little bit
of those stations that are being
underserved and the one in Los Altos is
the one that's closest to them and it
just made uh logical sense. It also was
a challenging one for us to use one of
our career staffs to cover so it kind of
helped with that too as well. Right. Um,
so this staffing is a little bit
different because it also includes the
agreement for NMSU itself. So they'll
have the 247 365 coverage of station 17
that they're currently doing now. They
also will continue to provide ambulance
service. I know it says 48 from station
15, but it is 84 hours total with 48
hours of that coming from station 15,
which is the loss of station. and
they'll work as and that's one of the
benefits of the or the thing we're for
MSIA and for NMSU is they'll respond as
that station. So if they're an engine
they'll be engine 15. If they're a
rescue or an ambulance they'll be rescue
15. So that we're getting the calls
occurring from that station.
Right. And then in this it was still we
still have this partnership and
relationship uh with them. Now we
currently are their um
uh
financial agent for their for their
state fire fund, right? So, we'll
continue to do that as well. And then,
uh, their EMS response, their EMS
equipment and supplies all come from the
county already. So, we're already paying
for those. The station and the station
operations are managed by NMSU. So, the
maintenance and those things come from
them. We just continue to provide that.
And so, we're going to continue to do
those, continue to provide that
equipment and supplies, and they're
going to provide us the personnel.
um they already work within our system.
So it's it's not like we got to build
anything more uh elaborate. They're
already part of it. They exist with it
as well. Um right. And then the 400,000
is just to help them as no different
than MSIA increase their staffing
numbers so that they can provide that
extra level of service that right now
it's uh we we just not getting it. We'd
like to see that increase. Have that
ambulance available a little bit more.
Their engines available. We're trying to
get that ambulance available a little
bit more frequently so that we can meet
our transport needs.
And same thing, same partnership that we
were looking for with Messia and um just
doing the same thing with NMSU. Uh have
obviously Cody Havers, you all recognize
and remember him, right? Joining us.
I I I see a couple we get some white
some white uniforms for a couple of
these guys and if they want just for
good for old times sake,
right? So, uh, but he's working at NMSU
now. He's a captain there, but he's
right now currently serving as their
interim deputy chief, uh, for NMSU as
they go through a hiring process. So,
he's here now. If you have any questions
about NMSU, he's here to help and
provide that information if you have
any. And with that, um, I believe that's
all I have. Yeah, sorry, my slide's
missing, but stand for questions.
Thank you, Chief.
Mr. Chair,
Mr. Po,
thank you. I'll have the same questions
I had about the MSIA. Well, not exactly
the same questions, but similar
questions that I had about Messia
or the town of Messia and their fire
department. Um, how many EMS do you have
on staff at NMSU?
Yes. Uh, good afternoon again, Cody
Haver, interim fire chief with NSU Fire
Department right now, uh, Commissioner
Chapato and chair. The answer to that is
kind of a a robust one. We have six
full-time
um staff that are on the fire engine
throughout the week. So that's um a
captain and a firefighter on each day
and then we have the position I'm
filling right now. One of the things
that's um unique about NMSU is that we
have student firefighters and we also
have temporary staff. So, uh, very
similar to how you're used to seeing,
you know, if you go to an Aggie football
game or you go to the Panama Center and
you see, you know, police officers from
the different agencies that are working
there on those, we have the same type of
system. We have firefighters from all
around from city of Los Cusus, um, from
White Sands, NASA that are temporary
employees that help us staff every day.
So, on staff every day, we have no less
than three firefighters. Typically, a
student makes the fourth and then two
people on an ambulance each day at least
for the 12 hours. And then we provide
24-hour coverage on the uh fire engine 7
days a week. Um we typically have no
less than three EMTs on staff each day
at one time.
So you always get an EMS response um at
an inter intermediate level or higher if
we have a paramedic on staff that day.
But in general, when our roster is full,
which it's fairly full right now, we
typically run between 35 and 40 staff
members that are either full-time paid
or temporary uh staff members that are
paid when they work with us.
All right, you threw a lot of numbers
out there. So, the answer to the
question is three EMT people.
It's at least three on a on at any given
time.
Okay. I was trying to write. You were
going pretty fast, too. I know that the
sta the staffing part of it's a little
difficult to understand especially in
our system and every fire department has
you know a little bit different staffing
requirements but but that's what it is
for us but okay so next question is do
you have enough EMT staff or EMS staff
um to cover the hours that you're
requesting?
Yes, we do
without having to hire more. So, we'll
be using this money to hire more. So,
right now, our plan is to use this
400,000
uh think of it in a sense as a grant to
us. We'll be hiring contingent upon
funding
um grant funded if you will, to
firefighters, to lieutenants, and those
four people will staff that ambulance,
that rescue. Um and we also use our
temporary staff and our students to be
able to add in. So um to the question of
of how will Lassotudas be staffed? It
will have an ambulance there 12 hours a
day, 7 days a week, more more or less.
And if we have the additional staff from
NMSU, we will actually add into that on
the NMSU side so that you have a fire
engine as well that's in service at the
Losel Tourist Fire Station. Those crews
can always cross staff. So, if it's a
fire engine that's in service and they
get an EMS call and need to take their
ambulance, they can get on to the
ambulance and take the ambulance from
the Losel tourist fire station.
So, you haven't hired them yet. How many
people will you be able to hire with a
400,000 that is EMT?
Four.
Mhm.
Are they going to be EMT or
just No, they'll be EMT or higher. So,
we require lieutenants to be EMT
intermediates, which is that second
level.
And and forgive me for this question
because I'm just thinking about it. This
is not reoccurring. Is that correct?
It's just a one time.
Mr. Chair, Commissioner Chapado,
correct? This is not uh in the budget as
a recurring expense at this point. It is
just for this fiscal year.
Thank you.
Okay, commissioners. Any other
questions?
All right. Public input.
[laughter]
All right. And uh Randy, you have to do
a roll call on agenda item number 19th.
Commissioner Sheldo Ornandez.
Yes.
Commissioner Kimell.
Yes.
Commissioner Chapado.
Yes.
Vice Chair Meadows.
Yes.
Chair Sanchez.
Yes.
All right.
Commission input followup.
I I only have one item just to kind of
get something on on the radar and I uh
mad vice chair I think you'll still be
um probably out of out of commission but
at the second meeting in August I will
not be here because I have a business
trip. So if
can we come? Well, that's going to be
the question is um depending on how many
were here. If vice chair is not here,
then we may have to uh potentially have
an idea who may chair that meeting. So,
for a future future discussion,
so I see Commissioner Shel Nandez is
definitely putting his hand up.
Well, and if I may,
I'm just kidding.
I I say that we give Commissioner Kimble
a try.
Come on, Commissioner Kimell. Just say
yes. We'll help you.
So, we don't have to we don't have to
make any decisions, but just wanted to
at least give everybody a heads up. Um,
so that way,
but yeah. So, so we'll we'll have some,
like I said, maybe at the at the next
meeting we can discuss. Okay. Okay.
Well, that
I'll let you all have fun for that
meeting, but I'll be out of town and so
just wanted to at least potentially get
that addressed.
Yes,
you can.
Absolutely.
All right. Is any other That's the only
thing I had. Uh just want just wanted to
get let the rest of the team know. Uh
anything else from commissioners for
follow-up? All right. Then
correspondence.
Okay, I have Michael Bernom versus
Donana County, Christopher Thomas versus
Dona County, Cynthia Jones versus Dona
County, and Corine Flores versus Donana
County.
Thank you, Brandy. All
right. Then I'd like to make a motion
that the commission convene in close
session regarding limited personnel
matters pertaining to the Donana County
budget performance director position and
discussing the appointment of the
interim county manager. Also,
acquisition or disposal of real property
or water rights and attorney client
privilege pertaining to threatened or
pending litigation in the matter of city
of Los Cusus and Donina County versus
Apollo Global Management, Lifeoint
Health and Memorial Medical Center. Case
number 22 26-CV-01280-JR-GF
uh NM Fog versus Donana County Board of
Commissioners and Donana County Records
custodian case number
D-307-CV-2026-01788
the also the appointment and also the
appointment of a fiscal agent by DFA
Project Jupiter and the Sunland Park
annexation matter as authorized by the
Open Meetings Act section 10-15-1H2
7 and 8 of NMSA 1978. I get a second.
Second.
I have a second by Vice Sharos.
Randy, if you'll do a roll call vote.
Commissioner Sha Jordan.
Yes.
Commissioner Kimell.
Yes. Commissioner Chapato,
yes.
Vice Chair Gomez,
yes.
Chair Sanchez,
yes.
And with that, we'll enter close session
at 2:49 p.m. Thank you.
[laughter]
Yes. Yes.
All right,
we'll wait for a thumbs up.
All right, we have a thumbs up. The time
is now 5:43 p.m. here on Tuesday, July
28th, and the commission is now back in
open session. Let the record reflect the
only thing discussed in close session
were the items noted in the motion to go
into close session. Uh, with that, I'd
[clears throat] like to make a motion
that we
uh name the
existing
assistant county managers
Steven Lopez, Deborah Weir, and Deputy
County Manager Lucy Latrell to move
forward in the short term as acting
county manager.
I'll explain a little more if I can get
a second.
Second.
Thank you. Okay. Thank you. So, I have a
motion and a second. The the intent will
be to have our existing leadership
continue on with uh the operations of
the existing
uh departments. We do have a few
departments that do not that did report
to the county manager which will uh
which will be addressed within the
structure of the three acting. In the
meantime, our the intent will be is that
we will be looking towards hiring of a
um consultant or uh to potentially come
in and help us with addressing some of
the needs of a county manager over the
short term. Along with that, that will
help us to uh address with some of the
key tasks that we have. um mentorship
where we need to identify and there will
be some other additional tasks that we
have. So while we are moving forward in
that direction to identify somebody once
we have more details we will release
that to uh the public and uh so if we do
have anybody that is interested in
taking on that role we can uh
potentially have or take application for
that. Uh but I know for now um with the
motion that we do have, it will be to
name the three uh assistant county
manager and deputy county manager as
acting county manager uh moving forward.
And hopefully commissioners if I forgot
anything in that, please let me know.
Uh chair, a joint acting county manager,
correct?
Joint joint acting county manager.
Correct.
I know we've already established uh
signature guidelines as well as uh uh
spending or the guidelines that was
approved today in the resolution for uh
signature authority. So I believe with
with those uh in in place uh we at least
have a good process uh to to manage this
as we move forward. Uh should there be
anything that comes up we will look to
address it as uh as the commission.
And if I may, Mr. Chair,
please commission. With this change, we
are so excited to move forward with our
three acting county managers.
Um, I have faith that staff will be able
to work very well with the three. You're
used to them. Um, and thank you for
taking this task to the three of you. I
know it's going to be a lot of hard
work, but the commissioners are also
going to have to put in extra work to
move forward. So, thank thank you staff.
Uh, I appreciate you.
Thank you, Mr. Chair.
Thank you, Commissioner Chado. I did
want to make a note in and some of the
things that that may come up in the
discussion will be around
um the audit findings uh that we're
still working to address. Um continued
uh surveillance of Project Jupiter and
things like that. Those will continue to
be addressed. We will continue to
monitor those um as as those are some of
the key items that we understand that we
need to continue on with. Uh there was
hopefully people will see that there is
a posting for uh an inspector general
out at the moment which was one of the
items that was identified as part of the
audit. Uh if people know of individuals
or firms uh that are interested we are
looking for uh submissions for that. Uh
but it is an active submission but that
is still in the direction. we are still
going to be working towards having an
inspector general which I think is a key
part of not just uh over you know
oversight of the county uh but uh as
well as trying to trying to close some
of our audit findings with uh that was a
key piece of that recommendation. So um
just wanted to cover a few of those
things as we move forward uh just to
assure the public uh that we're going in
a good direction and we will continue to
do so.
Okay. Chair, did you do the close
session language coming out of close
session?
I did.
Okay. Missed it. My apologies.
No worries.
All right. Uh, if there's no other
comments, then I'll ask uh Brandy if
she'll do a roll call vote.
Commissioner Shell Jordan.
Yes.
Commissioner Kimble.
Yes.
Commissioner Chapo.
Yes.
Vice Chair Gomez.
Yes.
Chair Sanchez?
Yes.
All right, then with that, we've reached
the end of our agenda. And so if there
are no objections, we'll call this
meeting adjourned at 5:48 p.m. Thank you
all for uh today and we'll see you all
next possibly next week for a work
session.
Thank you.
[applause]