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State Of The County Highlights Past Year And Looks Forward

http://youtu.be/GFQgfjktLEA

Billy Garrett, Chairman of the Dona Ana County Commission and County Manager Julia Brown delivered the State of the County Address this week discussing the highs and lows in Dona Ana County over the past year and looked at issues the County would be facing in the coming year

In County Commissioner Billy Garret’s address he said that the County is just getting by and offered a solution, voting to increase the Hold Harmless GRT tax by 3/8th’s of 1 percent. He said the increased revenue could help the county thrive, and discussed how he thought the money should be allocated.

“The GRT increase would be dedicated to three purposes,” Garrett said. “That would be capital projects, that’s infrastructure, roads, buildings, utilities that kind of thing. The second part would have to do with economic development projects, and that has to do with the kinds of things that are needed to help support economic development in addition to the capital projects. And the third one has to do with actually improving the efficiency of county operations.”

Commissioner Ben Rawson responded at the County Commission meeting by saying that this would be the largest GRT tax increase in Dona Ana County history, and that every GRT increase after the one for Spaceport America had been voted down.

“There have been at least three votes by the public on the gross receipts tax increase,” Rawson said. “Most recently on the transportation, before that there was a Gross Receipts tax increase on the ballot for Dona Ana County soil and water that was defeated as well, and prior to that was the funding for the 911 call center which was also defeated by the voters. It’s important Mr. Chairman as we sit here as representatives of our constituents that we remember to listen to them.”

The Dona Ana County Commission will be voting on the Hold Harmless GRT Tax increase on March 24th. County Manager Julia Brown has recommended the 3/8th’s of 1 percent increase.  

In her address to the County, she discussed the county’s many accomplishments of the past year, but she also highlighted one low point, County Treasurer David Gutierrez sexually harassing one of his employees and his refusal to resign.

“It is particularly disturbing because this is sexual harassment,” Brown said. “This is the kind of activity that creates a hostile environment in the workplace.  The County cannot require elected officials to attend training, but we have mandatory training for all of our employees, all of our managers to prevent this kind of thing. We invited and strongly urged all of the elected officials to attend; the county has 10 elected officials, nine of them attended. The treasurer did not.”

Brown said the County Commission quickly censured him and called for his resignation after he admitted to the sexual harassment, but they cannot force him to resign. Frances Williams joined a group protesting before the Commission meeting calling for his resignation.

“Every women has the right to come to work, do her job, go home, take care of business,” Williams said. “And she shouldn’t have to deal with a person who doesn’t respect her, or her work as a professional. I’m out here to protest for all women, and men because no one should be treated that way at work.”

County Treasurer Gutierrez said in a Las Cruces Sun News editorial why he wouldn’t resign.

“I have 38,867 reasons why I won't resign,” Gutierrez said. “That is the number of people who voted to re-elect me in 2012. More people voted for me than anybody else on the ballot. The president fell 1,728 votes shy of my total. I am not bragging. My intent is to point out that the citizens of Doña Ana County trust me and approve of my job performance. And, I have done nothing over the 14 years in office to violate their trust.”

Former Las Cruces City Councilor Dolores Connor said Gutierrez admitted to this act, and is looking at ways he could be removed from office.

“A recall is not possible with 33,000 signatures required,” Connor said. “What this takes is the District Attorney going to a judge, and asking a judge to remove Mr. Gutierrez. There is an investigative report that shows his comments, and he definitely admits that he committed this situation, and I believe that the rest of the department is in a hostile working environment for two years until he finishes his term, so it’s time for him to go home.”

Samantha Sonner was a multimedia reporter for KRWG- TV/FM.