Payments and proxies discussed at meeting

The County Livestock Loss Authority had their first meeting since the State Ethics Commission settlement last week at the Socorro County Annex I.

Chair Audrey McQueen reported on the investigation’s findings from December 11 and read from the settlement documents to the board.

“Whereas Mrs. McQueen, Mr. Shirley, and Mr. Paterson maintain, and the records demonstrate that they have not received any benefit and did not benefit in any inappropriate way, by or through any votes or other official acts during the service on the CLLA,” McQueen said.

Board member Jim Paxon, who was criticized by board members Tom Paterson and Nelson Shirley in previous meetings over the complaint, spoke to the timeline of events and said it was the ethics commission who raised the issue to a formal complaint.

“I really need this board to understand that I have no malice or no judge to bear here. This has been a very tough ordeal. My hope is that we can move beyond this, to continue to provide fair and timely compensation to ranchers for their losses due to Mexican wolves.” Paxton said.

Depredations Payments

Deborah Mahler, CLLA administrator, confirmed that all depredation payments were either on the agenda or had already been submitted.

Paxon added that checks are sent out from Sierra County every other Friday.

The Joint Powers Agreement between the three counties to move the fiscal agent from Sierra to Catron County was reported to have been approved. Board members discussed the process and agreed that the transfer could take several months.

The board reviewed depredation claims, and board members recused themselves from those they were related to or affiliated with. The board discussed a horse depredation that involved the confirmed wolf kill of a barrel horse and agreed to seek a third-party recommendation on the value of horse depredations.

The board tabled several claims, noting that not enough information had been made available to make a decision and requested more detailed documentation for certain claims.

The board discussed the need for timely payments, rebuilding their reputation and the impact of the fiscal agency transfer.

They also debated the allocation of legislative appropriations, with recommendations ranging from immediate spending to conservative reallocation over several years.

Board member Shirley strongly recommended caution, given their reputation for not being able to make timely payments and the time it would take for the fiscal agent to officially move from Sierra to Catron County.

Paterson and McQueen agreed to take a conservative approach, while Monette and Paxon believed it was best to use as much money they needed to prove to legislatures that they need more.

In new business, Paxon recommended redoing elections held in September 2023. He stated that the Office of the Attorney General said in 2010 that proxy votes are not allowed except by homeowners’ associations. He said he was concerned that the proxy vote used at the September 30 meeting was not legal.

“I think this could be resolved if we recognize that today is the annual meeting for the passage of resolutions and simply renew the election,” Paxon said. “I do not wish to contest the election. I wish to contest the process.”

Mahler reported that she asked the attorney about the matter.

“He said the matter isn’t settled. Whether or not the proxy vote was valid, as you have identified, it was permissible in the bylaws, but since there is an attorney general opinion stating that it’s not permissible, it is not settled by law. So, the best way to make sure that the decision stands is to redo the items at the next meeting.” Mahler said.

Patterson made a motion to reaffirm actions during their September 30 meeting, McQueen, Shirley, Patterson and Monette voted in favor with Paxon against.

The next meeting is scheduled for February 13 in Reserve.