[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-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],{"_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",6200224,"mediaKeyId","3817987-7dba5260975c07cdeb6aa6775ca5de65","parentId",3817987,"title","Hill Regional reports higher volume and a monthly operating surplus; board to adopt budgets July 2","audioSeconds",288,"startMs",2941000,"endMs",3229000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3817987-7dba5260975c07cdeb6aa6775ca5de65&start=2941&end=3229","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3817987-7dba5260975c07cdeb6aa6775ca5de65/thumbnail_2941000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6200224/Grant-County/New-Mexico/Hill-Regional-reports-higher-volume-and-a-monthly-operating-surplus-board-to-adopt-budgets-July-2","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6200224-decfe40f254021583bfa4efbf1adfa07/orig.mp4?Expires=1771009084&Signature=lNP4L5-Rzcxdyc9JIBsJeiBiFLrc3c7Z1apgPXF5bniiIY5i~fn-cG5reDQ8O0kIYwbISHND6nTWKcPcoGtiP9wDZfwjgEQB~~RUuj3jeERTkruffIGMjAT2b77QPBqXKHFryr-l-XLrAVFoF5eImn5pH26NErtDUQSMTDALxhWZYxs3YavI44ihzaRtkNUjlbiscwR100CqrsW5T47GJq1sxT3u0~M3CO2o8Id5rMDbfLTPtovDwNH00bjjOmFqqZB4QmSGTNiJztYGE8LTzUlsymIl6OZynMOmX-4FQ3fsDpjtDmbw6ZT6G0tJ8WJBWDgPa9wwN5SpHEJvHxTxNw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Grant County, NM","date","2025-06-14T02:25:40Z","article","Robert Whitaker, chief executive officer of Hill Regional Medical Center, reported to the Grant County commissioners on April statistics, financial results and upcoming governance actions.

Whitaker said April volumes across the hospital were higher than one year earlier, with gains in admissions, deliveries, swing-bed admissions and outpatient visits but a slight decline in some specialty clinic visits. For April he reported approximately $8.9 million in operating revenue and $8.7 million in operating expenses, producing a monthly surplus of about $500,000 when excluding certain state programs. Year-to-date operating revenue was about $85 million compared with $78.4 million a year earlier; Whitaker said year-to-date net included $2.7 million in SB161 funds and $9.6 million in HDAA funds.

He reported days cash on hand at roughly 1.27–1.28 (operating cash only, excluding investments and CDs). The hospital board approved its ISEP and is preparing its capital and operating budgets for presentation and approval at the board meeting on July 2; the board recently moved regular meetings to the first Wednesday of the month.

Whitaker said the hospital is planning a staff and family picnic in July at Penny Park and that he is developing community town halls to reach residents across the county because not everyone can travel to Silver City. Commissioners asked about specialty care access; Whitaker said the hospital has recently hosted a visiting urologist and is negotiating contracts to expand specialty outreach, and that another urologist will make a site visit in July.

Commissioners thanked Whitaker and noted their support for the organization’s leadership; no formal board action was taken during the commissioners’ meeting other than receipt of the report.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","GCC 2025-06-12 Regular Meeting","oneSentenceSummary","Hill Regional Medical Center reported higher April volumes and a positive operating result for April and year-to-date, with planned capital and operating budgets to be approved July 2 and town halls scheduled across the county.","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},6200229,"Commission approves USDA APHIS wildlife-services contract after heated public criticism over cost, methods and reporting",3256,1329000,4585000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3817987-7dba5260975c07cdeb6aa6775ca5de65&start=1329&end=4585","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3817987-7dba5260975c07cdeb6aa6775ca5de65/thumbnail_1329000.jpg","/articles/6200229/Grant-County/New-Mexico/Commission-approves-USDA-APHIS-wildlife-services-contract-after-heated-public-criticism-over-cost-methods-and-reporting","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6200229-5d58a66bebe4db9c0d72aa335cc96187/orig.mp4?Expires=1771009084&Signature=hCKmlK5PHkDfH3cQH0MmkqUwAthhbgcFWTGAjNJWvvAyqYtFT4EEfFze7sBDFhU~mAB2gloUkNln5R0uv6cesk6MROC31rrMkW9CKYVuUs~2JeZ08OcfItmcMgiA2gZERwEd5wQGelOk4ynRaqfYWEnVG~NEqPdK90DRxT3t9FsfBdvQ~rOnoX5zLsGsUCB4jQIR~uIoE9WoVCp9QIsB04kXD2OCC0AktUP8RgdxVl9npqe9Yv3codrzW3mEugTz6MbxTVBtYG5n4poxL6D1O1pZPf~ccKkdEC-1gShcsk0A04q~CLqOvK3fHnCjG-1lTxGcDkMnD2cUOqregXykoA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Public commenters urged the Grant County Board of Commissioners on June 12 to reconsider the county’s contract with the U.S. Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services (APHIS), raising concerns about cost effectiveness, animal welfare and transparency. After public testimony and commissioner discussion, the board approved Agreement A-25-08, the APHIS work and financial plan, with the motion carried in open session.

Multiple speakers presented detailed objections. Carlos Martinez, a wildlife biologist, told the commission the contract “is not cost effective and it’s not even beneficial for what it is supposed to do,” citing 2024 removals that he said included coyotes and gophers and comparing annual program costs he estimated at roughly $94,000 to documented losses under $20,000. He urged the county to terminate the contract on fiscal grounds.

Valerie Dobritch, another wildlife biologist, questioned the contractor’s reported hours and pay, saying a listed 450 hours of work equated to “$205 per hour” and asking for full activity logs and verification of whether predator reports were independently confirmed. Other speakers, including Glenn Griffin and Christine Hess, asked for better quarterly reporting, argued that cooperating ranchers’ matching funds had not been met, and raised concerns about trap signage, the use of Conibear-style traps and potential conflicts of interest when the contractor also operates as an outfitter.

Commissioners and county staff provided clarifying information during the meeting. County staff said the federal share of the contract is 66% and the county share is 34%; a portion of the county contribution is expected to come from Taylor grazing fees (typically $12,000–$15,000), leaving the county general-fund obligation below $20,000 in the current plan. The contract price discussed was $94,234, up from $92,000 the prior year; one speaker said the cooperating-rancher match is set at $36,000 but has not been met in recent years, which increases the county’s net cost.

Commissioner comments reflected competing priorities. Commissioner Stevens said she favored continuing the contract because, she argued, the county lacks an alternative that would respond to public calls about problem wildlife and because the contracted model leverages federal funds; she also urged more education and outreach. Chairman Ponce and other commissioners said they want improved transparency and reporting and noted the board can end the contract if performance or oversight does not meet expectations. Commissioner Shelley moved to approve the APHIS agreement and Commissioner Flores seconded; after discussion the motion carried.

The commission also heard and approved a related procurement and implementation timeline question: several commissioners asked for a public presentation by wildlife services or other agencies and for clearer quarterly reporting that documents follow-up actions and verification of predation claims. Members of the public and commissioners requested a follow-up meeting to examine the contractor’s activity logs, verification procedures and any potential conflicts of interest.

Outcome: The board approved Agreement A-25-08 (USDA APHIS) in open session. Commissioners instructed staff to continue work on transparency, and several commissioners indicated they may revisit the contract if requested reporting and public engagement are not provided.","After more than an hour of public comment criticizing animal-killing methods, costs and transparency, the Grant County Commission approved a one-year USDA APHIS wildlife-services agreement (A-25-08). Commissioners stressed accountability and left open the ability to terminate or revisit the contract.",{"_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},6200233,"Grant County sheriff asks commissioners to fund civil office assistant, clarifies DARE dash-cam and vehicle items",867,409000,1276000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3817987-7dba5260975c07cdeb6aa6775ca5de65&start=409&end=1276","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3817987-7dba5260975c07cdeb6aa6775ca5de65/thumbnail_409000.jpg","/articles/6200233/Grant-County/New-Mexico/Grant-County-sheriff-asks-commissioners-to-fund-civil-office-assistant-clarifies-DARE-dash-cam-and-vehicle-items","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6200233-033baefbb459c907f718e22a60ca40af/orig.mp4?Expires=1771009084&Signature=ExUEvcwveSEkbLu2TvRiAHzwPFjIhZCUBgLriFGYQYQMIpj5MjEFt3s2ERL7erGCn3ywFNpqSetta1aONjt42T-B~e8cPr-2HYJiHwH30ug23aVGMWC-gZK3yLRUAwd6mcKzpsbyPMXD5DaexzaySzNVVY5VkRwMoNpKMid95PzbdjN8RXD1n6sMy4~K-rvLCcByoHW0gqxxPHqKVQ-nNPLlcgRFkgSiOzRxSh7cZpTI9~EyVc9n1zsObyyqycElFX3s8VqXvZF6U~DZXuGBxfbhP0xzj0kxiZwHy2nKFtHhXTS2ypRwK4DYQc6FhR5v61yldPmPgzwbws37RwkXEA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Sheriff Villanueva spoke to the Grant County Board of Commissioners on June 12 to clarify two personnel requests and several equipment items in his FY26 budget submission, and to describe new enforcement priorities for narcotics investigations.

Villanueva told the commissioners he requested two items in April: additional debt funding and “support of another office assistant” for the civil division. He said the office assistant would take over administrative tasks now performed by a supervisor so that a certified deputy could remain in the field, noting his civil process team currently has four of an authorized five positions and one supervisor handling both paperwork and field duties.

The sheriff described the civil process workload — serving subpoenas, domestic protection orders and coordinating transports tied to the courts — as time-consuming and said moving the supervisor back into field duties would improve service. He said if the position is not approved this year he will reapply next budget cycle.

On a separate line item he said he had not requested a $50,000 capital allotment for a unit but that he would accept it if the commission approved it. Villanueva said he previously used federal grant funds (Stone Garden and other grants) and a 2023 $500,000 capital outlay award to purchase patrol units; some recent leased vehicles were civilian models and required upfitting. He said the office swapped police-ready vehicles to ensure deputies assigned to civil process were in appropriate units while administrative staff operate the civilian models.

Villanueva also said he has funding from U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich’s office to begin purchasing in-car dash cameras and is coordinating with the county manager to start that project. He called dash cams “very expensive” and welcomed additional county support.

Commissioners asked for organizational charts and job descriptions to clarify existing civilian staffing and reporting lines. Commissioner Flores said she had requested an org chart and job descriptions to confirm span of control and civilian duties; Villanueva agreed to provide the requested documents. Commissioners noted the civil process unit includes a sergeant in the office and an administrative lieutenant who oversees multiple assignments, including court security and grant coordination.

Villanueva said he plans to assign three narcotics investigators effective July 1, with one assigned to a task force and others focused in Grant County. He said keeping the civil supervisor out in the field — by adding an administrative assistant — would avoid shifting deputies from patrol into civil process. He asked for the commission’s support as the budget process continues; commissioners said final budget approval is expected in July and that they will consider his requests as part of that process.

The board did not take an immediate vote on the sheriff’s staffing request; commissioners said they will review the materials and may follow up with additional questions before finalizing the FY26 budget.","Sheriff Villanueva briefed the Grant County Board of Commissioners on personnel and equipment items in his FY26 budget request, seeking authorization for an office assistant in the civil division and clarifying unexpected vehicle and dash-cam funding items.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Hill Regional reports higher volume and a monthly operating surplus; board to adopt budgets July 2

Commission approves USDA APHIS wildlife-services contract after heated public criticism over cost, methods and reporting

Grant County sheriff asks commissioners to fund civil office assistant, clarifies DARE dash-cam and vehicle items