Meribeth Densmore

The board approved several key agenda items, including a contract amendment for the New Mexico Educational Retirement Board's headquarters construction and a budget amendment for the Department of Finance and Administration's E911 program. A contract was approved for the General Services Department regarding the Fire Training Academy memorial and amphitheater project. Additionally, the board approved the sale of real property in Lee County to Excelsior Energy, noting that the site is planned for future energy production and potential data center use. The meeting concluded with an annual report on the South Campus Tax Increment District, which highlighted upcoming developments such as the Lobo Crossing retail project.

The presentation covered several operational and compliance topics. Key discussions included security user access procedures, emphasizing that access must be granted only via completed and approved request forms, and ensuring HR follows these steps to avoid employee confusion. Furthermore, procedures for terminated employees' access revocation were reviewed, noting a 30-day window for viewing essential HCM data, and the necessity of immediate access removal for elevated roles. For active employees, requirements for updating personal phone numbers for MFA purposes during offboarding were stressed. A significant section addressed GOVX employee workgroup assignments (EXH Exempt, OT40, O240), highlighting that approximately 175 employees were incorrectly assigned, which could lead to incorrect payments, and provided methods for identifying and correcting these assignments effective at the start of a pay period. Other topics included mandatory benefit offerings for temporary employees based on tenure and hours worked (6+ months/20+ hours per week) and retirement enrollment requirements for temporary employees (9+ months/20+ hours per week), excluding student employees. Finally, a technical segment detailed how to use the XLOOKUP formula in Excel to join data from two separate queries using a common field like Employee ID, along with best practices for converting formulas to values after execution. The payroll section strongly cautioned against submitting retroactive additional pays, citing constitutional prohibitions against extra compensation for services already performed.

This report provides a comprehensive analysis of technical assistance (TA) resources and needs within New Mexico, identifying key barriers such as limited local capacity, lack of awareness of available resources, and responsiveness issues from providers. It also addresses broader challenges in infrastructure project implementation, including funding complexities and burdensome reporting requirements. The analysis aims to inform strategies for strengthening TA coordination, access, and effectiveness. Key recommendations include expanding the capacity of existing TA providers, establishing regional TA centers, developing a TA network and mentoring program, creating a centralized platform for TA resources, and streamlining grant requirements to improve infrastructure project delivery across the state.

The Board of Finance meeting addressed several actions across various categories. Key approvals included the FY23 Operating and Capital Budgets for Public Safety Answering Points. Extensions of Private Activity Bond Volume Cap Allocations were approved for projects in Bernalillo County and by the New Mexico Mortgage Finance Authority. Capital Expenditures were approved for New Mexico State University (Alamogordo and Grants) and the University of New Mexico (track resurfacing). The board received reports including the State Treasurer's Office Investment Report (for April 2022), Capital Buildings Repair Fund Status Report, Legislative Capital Projects Status Report (both for May 31, 2022), and various contract and fee reports. Informational items involved consideration of resolutions concerning State of New Mexico Severance Tax Bonds and Notes. Under Property Dispositions, approval was granted for the sublease of a soccer field in Bernalillo County. An Emergency Grant was approved for the Quemado Lake Water Association for booster pump station replacement. Approvals were also granted for new graduate degree programs at New Mexico Highlands University (MS in Nursing with FNP Specialty) and the University of New Mexico (Doctoral Degree in Occupational Therapy and PhD in Native American Studies). Finally, the board approved a Schedule of Repairs for July through December 2022 and several contracts related to custodial bank services, consulting, and repurchase agreements.

The Board of Finance meeting involved approving the agenda, subsequently removing two Action Items related to Private Activity Bond Volume Cap Allocation requests. Key approvals included the sale of real property by Farmington Municipal Schools, and capital expenditures for campuswide roof repairs and infrastructure upgrades at the New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology. The Board also approved the acquisition of real property by Eastern New Mexico University, Ruidoso. Actions taken under the Consent Agenda included approving several Amending Resolutions for various series of State of New Mexico Supplemental Severance Tax Notes. A Special Presentation covered process improvements from the New Mexico Public School Facility Authority. The Board approved the Authorization and Delegation Resolution for State of New Mexico Severance Tax Bonds, Series 2022B, and an Emergency Water Grant for Enchanted Forest MDWCA. Higher Education Department actions included approving capital expenditures for facility renovations at Eastern New Mexico University and the University of New Mexico, and approving institutional revenue bonds for Western New Mexico University. The General Services Department received approval for a construction contract with Bradbury Stamm for the new Veteran's Home Campus.