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Thursday, September 1, 2005

Road, Fire Supplies On County Wish List

By Beth Hahn
Mountain View Telegraph
    Christmas is still months away, but Torrance County Commissioners were making their wish list and checking it twice during a special meeting Monday.
    The process happens every year as local governments are asked to make a list of local projects for the state Legislature to consider funding.
    Torrance County's top five projects for 2006 include renovations to the Mountainair Senior Citizen's Center, improvements to Landfill Road, funding for playgrounds in Torreon and Manzano, and renovations to the Estancia Valley Regional Animal Shelter.
    County Manager Bob Ayre said legislators look primarily at the top five projects, but often consider items lower on the priority list because of lobbying by residents or local officials.
    While Torrance County received more than $400,000 for renovations to the Mountainair Senior Citizen's Center during the last legislative session, Ayre said the project needs more funding to complete the transformation from a former tractor dealership into a place where Mountainair residents can participate in activities and enjoy a meal.
    In addition to the top five priorities, county commissioners listed road equipment, fire department equipment for several of the county's volunteer departments, new computers for the Torrance County Sheriff's Department, a storage building for the county's emergency response trailer and dispatch center renovations.
    Some of the projects may not be considered for a few years, but Ayre said if they do not appear on the wish list, it could mean the county loses out on funding.
    "The first thing (legislators) always ask is 'Is it on the list?'" said Ayre. "And if it isn't, they say 'why not?' ''
    Torrance County's list for 2006 includes $11 million worth of renovations, repairs and new construction. Ayre said what legislators will fund largely depends on the persistence of groups making requests, as well as the amount of discretionary money available to be distributed for capital projects.