Clovis City Commission Meeting - May 13, 2026: Proclamations, Water Update, Compensation Study, and Board Appointments
Clovis City Commission Meeting - May 13, 2026
The Clovis City Commission met on May 13, 2026, at 5:15 PM. The meeting included a proclamation for National Police Week, a water utility update from Epcor, a presentation on Memorial Day ceremonies, a recap of the Great American Cleanup and Clovis Hires career fair, approval of consent agenda items, appointments to the Economic Incentive Board, and approval of a citywide position classification and compensation study. Reports were given on the Armed Forces Support Committee, Library Board, and Eastern New Mexico Water Utility Authority.
Proclamation: National Police Week
- Mayor Morris proclaimed May 11–17, 2026, as Police Week in Clovis. Police Chief accepted the proclamation, noting that in 2025, 61 authorized Clovis police officers responded to 30,730 calls for service. He highlighted the national statistics: 345 officers killed in 2025 added to the memorial, and 24,412 names engraved on the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial. Commissioners expressed gratitude for the department's service.
Epcor Water Utility Update
- Kevin Rose, Epcor associate director for New Mexico, presented an overview. Epcor, over 130 years old, is the largest private utility in the Southwest, having invested $2.8 billion in Arizona and New Mexico infrastructure. In Clovis, they serve ~46,000 residents via 81 wells (100% groundwater) and 360 miles of pipe. Priorities include sustainable operations, declining aquifer, leasing former agricultural wells for potable use, and partnerships with the city, Ogallala Land and Water Conservancy, and Eastern New Mexico Water Authority. Last rate increase was in 2019; future rate adjustments are expected due to inflation and scarcity. Mayor Morris noted the water scarcity challenge and thanked Epcor for hosting a Water Carnival earlier that day for over 500 fifth graders.
Joint Veterans Council – Memorial Day Ceremony
- Vanessa Nieves (VFW Auxiliary President) invited the community to a Memorial Day ceremony on May 25, 2026, at 10:00 AM at Lawnhaven Memorial Gardens. She also described volunteer flag placement on May 23 at 8:00 AM at two cemeteries (3,000–4,000 flags). Commissioners thanked her and encouraged attendance.
Great American Cleanup Recap
- Marketing Coordinator Holcomb reported that on April 25, 2026, 95 volunteers in 10 teams picked up 453 bags of trash. Additionally, 1,826 tires were collected, and 237.5 tons of trash were brought to the landfill over the weekend. The Clovis Firefighters Association won first place with 108 bags. A tree was also planted. Dumpster Dan (mascot) made his debut.
Clovis Hires Career Fair Recap
- On April 29, 2026, Clovis Hires featured morning panels for high school students on trades, healthcare, government services, and computer/IT, with professionals from the community. In the afternoon, over 30 local employers set up booths. Some students were hired on the spot (e.g., McDonald's, Taco Box, The Buckle). The event was open to the public from 3–6 PM.
Public Comments & Testimony
- No public comments were made.
Consent Agenda
- The consent agenda (six items) was approved unanimously:
- Task order with Lochner for preliminary engineering report for Runway 422 and airport property map update.
- Application for FY2027 NMED Recycling and Illegal Dumping Grant up to $40,000.
- Application for U.S. DOT Safe Streets and Roads for All grant up to $400,000 for a Vision Zero Action Plan.
- Task order with Lytic Engineers for plat preparation from Shepps Boulevard to Humphrey Road.
- Task order with Lytic Engineers for sewer line extension design.
- Task order with Lytic Engineers for inspection at Clovis Regional Solid Waste Facility.
Discussion Items
- Appointments to Economic Incentive Board: Six terms expired. After presentations by candidates, the Commission voted:
- District 4 representative: Raymond Mondragon (reappointed).
- Bank/finance representatives (two seats): Alan Kilian (reappointed) and Ricky Fuentes (new), selected over other applicants (Tyler Lucas, Ms. Grayton). Other applicants (Mr. Hernandez, Mr. Ulsis, Ms. Gallegos) were encouraged to apply for future openings.
- Position Classification, Health Insurance, and Compensation Study: City Manager Howalt presented the study, which surveyed multiple municipalities. He recommended 100% implementation, bringing all employees to the new minimums, with at least a 1% increase for those already within range. The fiscal impact is approximately $1.568 million total across funds ($1.369M general fund, $107K sanitation, $54K wastewater, $33K airport, $4.3K workers' comp). Implementation would begin with the May 10 pay period. The motion to approve was seconded and passed unanimously.
Key Outcomes
- National Police Week proclaimed.
- Great American Cleanup and Clovis Hires recaps noted.
- Consent agenda approved (6 items).
- Economic Incentive Board appointments: Mondragon, Kilian, Fuentes.
- Compensation study implementation approved unanimously, effective mid-May.
- Future agenda items noted: Storybook village at Hillcrest Park, lodging tax disbursements, RFP for city attorney services.
The meeting adjourned at approximately 6:15 PM.
Meeting Transcript
And we'll say the pledge to the United States flag, and we'll salute the state flag. So if you would like to participate in those things with me. I pray for our mayor pro Tim and Commissioners to have wisdom to make good judgments and be good stewards, make us good stewards of the city's resources, lead us to work hard and and reach our potential as a community. And I thank you for each partner in this room and those that aren't with us uh that makes such uh make Clovis and Canon Air Force Base such an amazing place to live and work and serve. I ask these things in the name of Jesus, amen. Pledge to our country's flag, I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands one nation under God, indivisible liberty and justice tomorrow. I salute the flag of the state of New Mexico, the symbol of a perfect friendship among United Cultures. We are called to order, and I would ask Ms. Foster to please call the roll. Commissioner Jones Commissioner Zamora, Commissioner Porter, here Commissioner Bryant. Here, Commissioner Cassaus here, Commissioner Tarsen here, Commissioner Paula, Mayor Pro Tem Garza. Here, Mayor Morris. Here. Thank you, Ms. Foster. With three commissioners uh absent, I just want to double check were they attempting to join online? Do we have any idea? Mayor Mayor Pro Tim and Commissioners, the only one that uh I'm aware of that potentially trying to join join online was Commissioner Jones. Commissioner Jones, okay. All right, great. Well, we'll watch for him. And uh with that, we'll uh ask are there any objections to how the agenda has been prepared? I know we have at least one presentation uh that's not listed in uh in uh communications, but as far as the action items go, any objections hearing and seeing none. The agenda is adopted and we will record yes votes for each of the members, and incidentally, our voting system is not working tonight, so I'll be uh asking you to vote by acclamation or perhaps by roll call if if uh we deem that necessary. Uh next, any objections to how the minutes were prepared for the April 23rd meeting. Hearing and seeing no objections, those minutes are adopted, and we will record yes votes for each of you. Next, we recognize visitors. Thank you. Uh it's great to look out and see so many of you joining us in the meeting chamber this evening. Um here for uh presentations, which we will get to in just a few moments. But thank you for being here. Thanks for your interest. Proclamations, awards, and presentations. We have a presentation, a proclamation proclaiming May 11th through 17th, 2026 as National Police Week in the city of Clovis, and we have our police chief making his way to the podium to talk to us about the police department, and we look forward to the proclamation. You got a good group with you tonight, Chief. Looks good. Yes, sir. Yes, sir. All right, Mayor, Mayor Pro Tim, Commissioners, on behalf of the men and women of the Clovis Police Department. I'd like to sincerely thank you for recognizing National Police Week and for presenting this proclamation tonight. National Police Week is an important time-honored uh time to honor the service and sacrifice of law enforcement officers across the country, especially those who give their lives in the line of duty. It is also time to recognize the officers who continue to serve their communities every day with professionalism, courage, and dedication. The officers and staff, the Clovis Police Department work tirelessly to protect this community, often under difficult and challenging circumstances. I am extremely proud of their commitment to the citizens of Clovis and the work they do each and every day. We are grateful for the continued support from the uh city commission, city leadership, and our community. Your support means a great deal to the men and women who wear the badge and serve this city. Thank you again for the recognition and for standing behind law enforcement during National Police Week. Thank you, Chief, and thank you to each and every one of you for your service and for stopping by the meeting tonight so that uh you can all receive the proclamation. Uh do we have remarks? Mayor Pro Tim, Commissioners.
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