Lea County commissioners to weigh $95M energy-storage bond and $100M permanent fund transfer July 23
The Lea County Board of County Commissioners will consider a $95,000,000 industrial revenue bond for an energy-storage project and a $100,000,000 transfer into the Lea County Permanent Fund at its July 23 meeting, according to the posted agenda. The bond, listed as Resolution 26-JUL-167R, would fund AC Ranch Bess energy-storage facilities in the unincorporated area of the county.
County Commission agenda: bonds, school appropriations, and FY budget
The July 23 agenda includes several discretionary appropriations:
- $10,000 to the Lovington Municipal School District Creative Media Department (Resolution 26-JUL-162R)
- $35,000 to the Town of Tatum for beautification projects (Resolution 26-JUL-163R)
- $45,000 to Lovington Schools for the HOPE Autism Parent Support Group (Resolution 26-JUL-164R)
The board is also scheduled to adopt the FY 2026-2027 final budget, discuss road reconstruction and airport contracts, and review a request for qualifications for roadway design services. Grant extensions for the HIDTA drug task force are listed as well.
None of these items have been voted on yet; they are scheduled for consideration at the upcoming meeting.
Recent meetings: agendas posted, minutes not yet available
Several county boards met or were scheduled to meet on July 14, but minutes have not yet been published for any of them. What is available are the agendas, which show what was planned for discussion or action.
The Lea County Fair & Rodeo Board was scheduled to consider approving The Joy of Catering as the entertainment caterer, set 2027 entertainment artist fees, and approve changes to the 2026 Hispanic Heritage artist lineup. The board also planned to discuss a promotional item for the PRCA convention — a Jr. Zippered Padfolio.
The Planning & Zoning Board had two separate meetings scheduled. One focused on electing a chair and vice-chair for the Lovington-Lea County Extraterritorial Zoning Authority, approving an Open Meetings Act resolution, and adopting October 17, 2023 meeting minutes. The other included public hearings on two subdivision plats: Watson Land LLC Section 32 No. 2 Tract B1, a Type 3A subdivision, and a replat of Lots 32-33 and 41-42 in Bennettville Subdivision creating Lot 32A.
The Lovington-Lea County Extraterritorial Zoning Commission and the Extraterritorial Zoning Authority each held special meetings listed as training only, with no decisions or public hearings on the agenda.
Communications Authority budget on the table
The Lea County Communications Authority met July 15 to consider approval of the FY 26/27 final budget, approve June 10, 2026 meeting minutes, and discuss the Director's report. Minutes for that meeting have not yet been published.
Coming up
- **July 23 — Board of County Commissioners:** The $95M energy-storage bond, $100M permanent fund transfer, FY 2026-2027 final budget adoption, and multiple appropriations are all on the agenda.
- **July 27 — DWI Advisory Council:** The council will discuss workspace expansion, DWI grant distribution updates, increased collaboration with detention, and Pre-trial, Probation, and Parole Supervision Week.