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Eddy County supported New Mexico County’s (NMC) request for $20 million in state funds to build courthouses across the state.
The Eddy County Board of County Commissioners on Nov. 7 approved a resolution affirming the NMC’s legislative priorities for the 2024 30-day legislative session. The resolution also included a funding request, with the hope that some of the money would go to the county to replace the aging and cramped Eddy. Carlsbad County District Court.
Barry Massey, a spokesman for the New Mexico Courts Administration, said the judiciary requested funding for the courthouse project during the 2023 legislative session, but Eddy County did not receive a penny of that funding.
“Of the $23 million that the Legislature provided (in 2023), $15 million was earmarked for a new courthouse in Otero County. The remaining $8 million was allocated to Mora, Colfax, Curry, San Juan, Valencia, Provided for courthouse improvements and upgrades in Socorro, Santa Fe and Bernalillo counties.”
Massey said the county must commit to funding at least 50% of the total cost of the project. NMC says rising costs of construction, security and technology necessitate sharing of revenue streams.
According to the New Mexico County Board, “The cost to build a state district court could be well over $50 million, and adding an additional judge would cost $2 million or more to renovate the county and increase administrative support. It could cost up to $3 million.”
more: Jail funding on Eddy County priority list for 2024 Legislature
Eddy County needs a new courthouse
The Eddy County Courthouse was built in 1914 and has been renovated numerous times over the decades, according to the county’s website.
Eddy County Sheriff Mark Cage, who is also New Mexico’s county commissioner, said his organization has been working for years to create a fund to help counties meet requests for matching funds.
“We desperately need a modern courthouse and an efficient county jail that is not located in the center of town. The current district court is historic and beautiful, but it is literally falling apart,” Cage said. he said.
more: Here are the projects that New Mexico legislators in your community have funded through capital expenditures
A 2019 study of Eddy County by inspection firm Bureau Veritas found that the courthouse will reach the end of its useful life by 2029.
Rebuilding the courthouse could cost Eddy County $8.4 million, according to the study.
Courthouse upgrades were discussed during the tenure of former District 2 County Commissioner Lois Pearson, who served from 2013 to 2017.
“It’s time to consider a new courthouse for Eddy County. That’s my opinion as a taxpayer. There’s only so much you can fix,” he said.
Cage said a possible solution is to build a new justice facility near the sheriff’s office at 1502 Corrales Drive and the Eddy County Fire and Rescue Department at 1400 Commerce Drive, south of Carlsbad. .
“In my opinion, (the south side location) is a solution to the problem and will allow Eddy County residents a more efficient and safer way to work,” Cage said.
Cage said New Mexico’s available surplus revenue is primarily supported by oil and gas operations in the Permian Basin, a good sign that the courthouse project may be able to find the funding to move forward. It pointed out.
Mike Smith can be reached at 575-628-5546 or by email at MSmith@currentargus.com. @ArgusMichae X, formerly known as Twitter.
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