[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6226567,"mediaKeyId","3505950-d138cdc785fdbf4752ad9f9da5c4851b","parentId",3505950,"title","Grant County approves new chief and assistant chief for Lower Mimbres Fire Department","audioSeconds",90,"startMs",1050000,"endMs",1140000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3505950-d138cdc785fdbf4752ad9f9da5c4851b&start=1050&end=1140","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3505950-d138cdc785fdbf4752ad9f9da5c4851b/thumbnail_1050000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6226567/Grant-County/New-Mexico/Grant-County-approves-new-chief-and-assistant-chief-for-Lower-Mimbres-Fire-Department","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6226567-85f098be08af650278dc6d11bf23aa44/orig.mp4?Expires=1771084212&Signature=IWfQphKbKUOItwkUEX4oCVu4inPWuq~KijycwT0SDhPT9xAInN79dK5YLG2jE861iInuBZ7uixye8aBxyagX4bz0GKXX5Yt7J-haqj6kTi-~UaGzGC9yQeNwrS1WwFJ2T5eR2dgs2b1~5HxoJh~y7b~nPUXMCg2xAwCyIvnFDFbDcFegp1AyZB2eeLmZcmbcU1X1DphyG5-qtK2TTaX1xe7ztVxKsc~sTF5SiRcim8C56s6nVxfpj4b1oKntouGabs7oiKdWO376WGCmKrjaVLSKmy~sCOZolx~3xFTqwMVNlCZZ~NJ3KHS6DWmgNrLzLDbP3LiR3gRUlPQcPv2WGQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Grant County, NM","date","2025-05-26T00:12:00.597Z","article","The Grant County Board of Commissioners on May 22 ratified leadership changes at the Lower Mimbres Fire Department, approving Lee Roy Holguin as fire chief and Darren Gonzales as assistant chief.

Presenters said Holguin brings 27 years of firefighting experience with the U.S. Forest Service and had served as assistant chief with Lower Mimbres for several years. Gonzales was described as having prior years with the Santa Fe Municipal Fire Department and having relocated to the area; he will fill the assistant chief position vacated by a previous official.

The board approved the appointments by unanimous vote. County staff said the appointments will allow the department to move forward with operations under the new leadership; the county will follow standard hiring and administrative processes related to the change.

","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","GCC 2025-05-22 Regular Meeting","oneSentenceSummary","The Grant County commissioners ratified the appointment of Lee Roy Holguin as fire chief and Darren Gonzales as assistant chief at the Lower Mimbres Fire Department, citing decades of firefighting experience and local ties.","taxTitle","Grant County, New Mexico","taxId",67089,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6226571,"Grant County declares extreme drought, imposes fireworks restriction",53,817000,870000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3505950-d138cdc785fdbf4752ad9f9da5c4851b&start=817&end=870","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3505950-d138cdc785fdbf4752ad9f9da5c4851b/thumbnail_817000.jpg","/articles/6226571/Grant-County/New-Mexico/Grant-County-declares-extreme-drought-imposes-fireworks-restriction","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6226571-4739fc7b156c02e4defa0d5093574c44/orig.mp4?Expires=1771084212&Signature=BBnnvbU36RqB7i0PT3AcXj9FYfwfm0vGOwAEsQshRpAX7UQbZz7MRtzMg5Ozwudr9VTkqGnTUoCv1qZVZzt8FDAUCZvprM9LPCmzvyV6myjO1liMjhaIWSN7At7geCiQxJpTCoKVh6ls10Nd~qXKBwCxoIUTqCZTt6zr3lw2Vz1GHRo6EX4hziNHSLFS3bZs7ySSFOoY0idJUKLdRyyAdN6a8f5zAHk9xVyNU46eboSIuTgJtNaC5sM7U3AD~GpxKTCNT-yJpaxUo~K9el~sVs5rYuegrQKYuNwqy~okz8kQ9pZqg2dtt~X12gUFuJwGXp7utHr4DxKSrz9dqBGXqw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Grant County Board of Commissioners on May 22 declared extreme or severe drought conditions in the unincorporated areas of the county and voted to impose fireworks restrictions for public safety.

County staff presented the latest drought-monitor map during a public hearing and said the area of exceptional drought had grown; staff reported that roughly 95% of the county was classified in the exceptional drought category. Based on that analysis, the county manager and staff recommended continuing or imposing restrictions on fireworks to reduce wildfire risk.

Commissioners opened a public hearing on the drought question, heard from no speakers who wished to testify, and then voted unanimously to adopt the proclamation imposing fireworks restrictions. The vote was recorded without dissent.

What happens next: The county proclamation restricts fireworks in unincorporated Grant County as long as the board maintains the drought finding or until further action rescinds the restriction. The county manager and staff will handle public notification and enforcement guidance for the restriction.

","The Grant County Board of Commissioners proclaimed extreme or severe drought across most of the county on May 22 and voted to impose fireworks restrictions after county staff presented a drought-monitor map showing expanding exceptional drought conditions.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6226576,"Grant County approves preliminary FY26 budget, directs further review before final adoption",2184,3355000,5539000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3505950-d138cdc785fdbf4752ad9f9da5c4851b&start=3355&end=5539","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3505950-d138cdc785fdbf4752ad9f9da5c4851b/thumbnail_3355000.jpg","/articles/6226576/Grant-County/New-Mexico/Grant-County-approves-preliminary-FY26-budget-directs-further-review-before-final-adoption","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6226576-8832a2b1c492b5d9bdcd235022c01f75/orig.mp4?Expires=1771084212&Signature=N5Vg-q2CKyQGypbN0oj4NxGLEsJIQ21X-Sm92-LtJ8NKZwGyz3IwwmOQAWgce3yURs3KI9NrIFzc2bwU81pQwn-8yxC5g3V7Z2YxFJ-2UkipYbKQ0cOns4blAIf0WDl2-~OIkNyfdZ78AiFcUqMyQabI-8PFeRttBah5PwxLI842HGBdR0M8Yif4RP995EIsP4icyr7ovRfA18gQBgGev8I1gkexORdfWXRlFZQWOSjWuGLsWNCPCIR9yOdM-ucQF2eZ6hmxOyL9l2NpcbRWMGYtHmNmxfCAEnIWH0OGIljb5Ma-uaDvP0jZID91h0qWqNvhv2VLuqgQ~1Wm-zU7cA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Grant County Board of Commissioners approved a preliminary Fiscal Year 2026 budget at its May 22 meeting, with a directive that several contested items be revisited before the final budget is adopted.

County finance staff told the board that gross receipts tax (GRT) collections have stabilized since state law changes and that the county used conservative estimates for other revenue lines such as property (copper) receipts. Staff also warned of an unexpected reduction in federal Secure Rural Schools (SRS) payments: the county received a small SRS payment for the current year but staff said the formula and federal action leave the county with an expected shortfall of roughly $250,000–$278,000 if the program is not reauthorized; the county budget assumes that payment will not recur for FY26.

On the expenditure side, staff recommended funding for several capital items and department priorities while trimming or deferring some requests. The board agreed to a proposed EagleView aerial imagery purchase (about $203,000) but staff recommended funding that pilot out of LATCF (local funds set aside for capital) rather than the general fund so the county can evaluate whether it produces valuation gains that would offset the cost. The commission approved the preliminary budget with that conditional approach.

Other votes and directions: The board left the sheriff’s request for a permanent additional administrative position and recurring DARE (drug education) funding off the preliminary budget but approved a vehicle purchase for the sheriff’s office; commissioners asked that the DARE request and the admin-post proposal be revisited before the final budget in late summer. Several commissioners said they supported DARE’s community role but wanted to explore updated, evidence-based alternatives to the classic program and to seek outside funding from donors and regional partners.

What happens next: The preliminary approval enables the county to complete required public notices and continue budget work. Commissioners directed staff to return with additional information and options on the sheriff’s requests, DARE funding, the EagleView pilot, and other prioritized items before final adoption of the FY26 budget.

","The Grant County Board of Commissioners approved a preliminary Fiscal Year 2026 budget on May 22, 2025, while agreeing to further study several items — including Sheriff's office requests and the DARE program — before the final budget. Staff also flagged a large cut to Secure Rural Schools funding that will affect firefighting and road accounts.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6226581,"Grant County commissioners table HMS funding request amid transparency concerns",1153,1163000,2316000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3505950-d138cdc785fdbf4752ad9f9da5c4851b&start=1163&end=2316","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3505950-d138cdc785fdbf4752ad9f9da5c4851b/thumbnail_1163000.jpg","/articles/6226581/Grant-County/New-Mexico/Grant-County-commissioners-table-HMS-funding-request-amid-transparency-concerns","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6226581-6329c9dd57101c6eec2371c585b29cb8/orig.mp4?Expires=1771084212&Signature=hNVW4LTgE0qB9VVQzwzmdxfUpCT51ETWRUuFxaOC8ZLFluNGlQ58j0-G6nXlj2-vcLTUpJvlz1B7qnTcLpC26nZ98NUHmvJKYp4qHJF1xfqVC5GDq-QZg-m~WBQkv7M2rNOQmEcNrGIm92C5x47ijQVJH3b2uUUJeQ0r7Mv8kVuaWl1tETLritU86oS5GQ0htNlgUembv6GMMMj9nELu~LGKRXxBGnCvFVcEGOGNzqk-XVrt1eingcOpTueYzL~WYgkF4TS4L7e9cMFP6Qcjh~P9vzrFAyc2QWPjmg~kIPEnNT~ZK~NQSzrSBAaccYbBGGcKmheL13bw98ZPpti~gA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","At its May 22 meeting the Grant County Board of Commissioners voted to table a request from Hidalgo Medical Services (HMS) for about $200,000 in additional local funding to cover projected shortfalls at the county's two senior centers.

The move followed sustained questioning from multiple commissioners about HMS’s accounting, employee roles and the program-level detail behind the funding request. County staff and the county attorney were directed to request contractual backup, regular accounting documents and, if necessary, pursue an audit or other remedies available under the county’s existing lease agreements.

County staff said the county historically budgets $50,000 as a local match for HMS in addition to in-kind contributions (facility space and related services). HMS’s letter to the county and updated submissions identified projected budget shortfalls for fiscal year 2026, including a projected $88,205 deficit for one center and a $121,990 projected deficit for the other. Commissioners said those numbers, plus salary and fringe detail, need to be broken out before the county advances additional taxpayer funds.

Commissioners repeatedly pressed staff and asked for transparency about the makeup of HMS payroll and which positions are charged to the senior-center contracts. One commissioner said county taxpayers deserve clear, itemized accounting when public and state funds are involved; another said the public has been alarmed by news reports and social media commentary about HMS and the county should not appear to be “over the barrel” when seniors’ services are at stake.

County legal counsel described the existing lease agreements with HMS as including in-kind exchanges in lieu of rent and said those agreements require periodic accounting and documentation to support the in-kind valuation. The attorney told the board the county could request records, request an audit or, if contract terms justify it, pursue termination for cause; such steps would require notices and opportunities to cure under the contracts.

After discussion, the board moved to table the funding request pending receipt and review of the contract documentation and accounting. Commissioners said they want to ensure services for seniors continue during the review; several commissioners emphasized they would take steps to avoid an interruption of congregate meals and other center activities while the county examines financial and program records.

Separately during the meeting the board approved a Senior Center Infrastructure Capital Improvement Plan (ICIP) for the two facilities discussed in the HMS presentation. County planning staff outlined prioritized projects at the two sites (listed in the ICIP): replacement of flooring considered a tripping hazard, kitchen hood work, parking-lot repairs, restroom renovations, LED lighting conversions, replacement/installation of mini-split HVAC units and a small “hotshot” vehicle for meal delivery to homebound residents at the Mimbres site. Staff said those ICIP submissions are required to pursue future capital outlay funding and do not by themselves authorize immediate capital spending.

What happens next: County staff and counsel were directed to request the detailed accounting and documentation that the HMS leases require, and to report back to the commission at an upcoming meeting. The funding request will remain on hold until the board has reviewed the requested records.

","After an hours-long debate about accounting, staffing and contracts, the Grant County Board of Commissioners voted to table a request from Hidalgo Medical Services for a $200,000 local funding commitment and directed staff to obtain documentation and accounting tied to existing leases and services for the county's senior centers.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Grant County approves new chief and assistant chief for Lower Mimbres Fire Department

Grant County declares extreme drought, imposes fireworks restriction

Grant County approves preliminary FY26 budget, directs further review before final adoption

Grant County commissioners table HMS funding request amid transparency concerns