October 1, 2020
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Donna Oracion, Director, College Development
575-624-7403
Bond Issue Funding to Enhance Campus Safety and Security
In the November 3 General Election, voters will be asked to invest in the state’s 33 public colleges, universities and specialty schools in 23 cities and 21 counties across New Mexico. General Obligation Bond C (also referred to as Higher Education Bond C) will provide $156,000,000 to renovate and modernize educational facilities. If approved by voters statewide, Bond C will provide money to accomplish this goal by not increasing property taxes (as verified by the New Mexico State Department of Finance and Administration).
Approval of Bond C will mean an allocation of $1.85 million for ENMU-Roswell, which will fund needed safety and security upgrades to video surveillance equipment and exterior lighting. NMMI would receive $3 million for the renovation of roofs for Wilson Hall, Godfrey Athletic Center, and Toles Learning Center. ENMU in Portales would receive $8 million for phase one renovations of Roosevelt Science Hall and safety upgrades. ENMU in Ruidoso would receive $1.5 million for campus infrastructure improvements.
Also, passage of Bond C is estimated to create approximately 1,500 new jobs in construction, architecture and related fields statewide, adding to the state’s economic development and gross receipts tax revenue. Bond C will help maintain the educational institutions New Mexicans have already invested in, and give colleges and universities the resources needed to continue providing a safe, quality educational environment.
On the Roswell campus, the majority of the existing 75 video surveillance cameras are old analog cameras that do not provide image quality to today’s standards. Most of the buildings on campus have minimal or no camera coverage at all. Funds would be used to replace the majority of existing cameras and install 350 new cameras, with additional servers, monitors, storage hardware, and infrastructure.
The existing exterior lighting fixtures are old and not as energy efficient as they could be. In many areas, the lighting level is not adequate for the protection of property and the security and safety of students, staff, visitors. Plans call for the replacement of all exterior lighting fixtures with LED fixtures, which will significantly improve visibility without increasing wattage. Light poles that are rusted, deteriorated and pose a danger of falling during a high wind event would be replaced. Improving the exterior lighting will also help provide better images for the planned exterior surveillance cameras, as well as save energy and reduce operational and maintenance costs.
Library Bond Issue B will provide $9.5 million for public, academic, tribal, and public school libraries across the state. If Bond B is approved by voters, academic libraries will receive much needed funding to support the success of college and university students in New Mexico by providing 24/7 access to quality resources and information. There will be no tax increase if Bond B is approved, generating more than $228 thousand for libraries in Chaves County, including $23,973 for ENMU-Roswell.
Absentee voting begins October 6 and early voting starts October 17. Absentee ballots can be requested from October 6-20 and ballots must be returned by November 3 at 7 p.m. Election Day is Tuesday, November 3, with polls open for in-person voting from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
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