Counties await Richardson's signature for capital outlay projects

Several area counties are waiting on the signature by Gov. Bill Richardson on Senate Bill 443, which passed with a 65-0 vote Saturday in the House.

The bill will reauthorize and extend the time for several of the counties’ existing capital outlay projects, said Sen. Carlos R. Cisneros, D-Questa.

In Curry County, the funds to build a new criminal justice complex have been reauthorized to renovate the Curry County Courthouse and perform a feasibility study for the construction of the complex, said Mark Lansford, Curry County finance director.

“We did not feel that the $300,000 we received three years ago would be enough to build the complex,” Lansford said. “Now we can look into building the complex and perform much needed repairs and renovations to the courthouse.”

Eastern New Mexico University had received funds to build a new agricultural building. But the reauthorization will allow for an existing building to be renovated, said Steven Gamble, ENMU president.

“There was not enough capital outlay funds to construct a new building,” Gamble said. “We also received an extension for the purchase of equipment for ENMU’s Speech and Hearing Rehabilitation Outreach Center.”

Curry County

• Clovis Criminal Justice Complex Development split of $300,000.

• Curry County Courthouse renovations split of $300,000.

• Grady fire truck.

De Baca County

• De Baca County Clerk’s Office Information technology purchase.

Roosevelt

• Eastern New Mexico University Agricultural facility expand purpose $110,000.

 • ENMU Speech and Hearing Rehabilitation Outreach Center equipment $57,000.

• Portales swimming pool.