Contact: Erika Martinez
(505)986-4263
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 23, 2014
Senate Democratic Leader Pleased to Hear Valencia County Capital Outlay Projects Have Been Approved
Santa Fe, NM — Last year Governor Susana Martinez issued an executive order not to authorize the sale of bonds to fund local capital outlay projects until local entities complied with the Department of Finance and Administration’s (DFA) auditing requirements. But now, local entities will be happy to learn that the Board of Finance has authorized for projects to be funded.
Senator Michael Sanchez (D-29-Bernalillo & Valencia) says that although he completely agrees that audits should be performed throughout the state, limited budgets sometimes make it difficult to comply with the requirements set from Santa Fe. This, he says, is not a reason for communities to be punished.
“A community should not suffer because of its lack of resources. Instead we should be supporting our communities who suffer the most, and assure that they are treated equally. They must be allowed those monies to not only create jobs, but to assure facilities needed to provide safety, healthcare and education services are available,” said Sen. Sanchez.
In Valencia County several capital outlay projects that were approved by the legislature during the last legislative session were at a standstill, but the Board of Finance’s recent decision has resulted in most now being funded. “I’m happy to hear that the Board of Finance made this decision and look forward to my constituents benefitting from this,” he added.
Authorized Valencia County projects are Valencia County Animal Shelter Improvement, Valencia County Bartola Canyon Well, Amy Road Improvement, Winston Drive Improvement, Valencia County Emergency Backup Generator, Valencia County Manzano Vista Fire Department Generator, and the Valencia County Sheriff Department Patrol Vehicles.
The only project which remains unauthorized is the Belen Willie Chavez Park and Agricultural Education Farm.
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