NMAC News Brief 3/21/2013

NMAC News Brief 3/21/2013

ALL AFFILIATES

REGISTER NOW! APRIL DISTRICT MEETINGS FOR ALL COUNTIES

NMAC will be holding six District Meetings beginning April 9, 2013. NMAC Districts are:

District One: Los Alamos, McKinley, Rio Arriba, Sandoval,SanJuanand Santa Fe Counties

District Two:Colfax, Harding, Mora, San Miguel, Taos and
Union Counties
District Three: Bernalillo, Catron, Cibola, Socorro and Valencia Counties

District Four: Curry, De Baca, Guadalupe, Quay, Roosevelt and
Torrance Counties

District Five:Dona Ana, Grant, Hidalgo, Luna and Sierra Counties

District Six:Chaves, Eddy, Lea, Lincoln and Otero Counties.

At each meeting Paul Gutierrez and the NMAC staff will report on the 2013 Legislative Session and how new laws affect counties and offer participants an opportunity to meet with county officials in your area and receive an update on NMAC. There is a $25 registration fee. To register for your District Meeting Click Here To Register

NEW! NMAC 2013 LEGISLATIVE SESSION FINAL HOURS

APPROVED TAX PACKAGE INCLUDES CUTS, TIGHTER LOOPHOLES

By Dan Boyd / Journal Staff Writer on Sun, Mar 17, 2013

The tax package approved Saturday by both the House and Senate includes six provisions, some of which would cut tax rates. It includes an expansion of the state’s film tax credit for qualifying TV series, which was vetoed by Gov. Susana Martinez on Friday but revived as part of the broader package.

Overall, backers of the massive plan say it represents good overall tax policy: A decrease in the broad-based taxes paid by businesses will be largely offset by tightening several existing tax breaks, or “loopholes.”

The bill passed the Senate 34-8 and was endorsed in the House 46-18. The pieces of the tax package are as follows:

Trim corporate income tax: Would gradually reduce the state’s top-end business tax rate from 7.6 percent to 5.9 percent over a five-year period. That would make the state’s rate lower than at least one of its neighbors: Oklahoma’s rate is 6 percent. The governor had proposed a 4.9 percent rate.

Tighten existing tax breaks: Would tighten the requirements for businesses to qualify for a high-wage jobs tax credit, while also extending the credit, and would repeal certain tax deductions given to manufacturers. Both these tax breaks have ended up being more expensive to the state than originally projected in terms of foregone tax revenue.

“Breaking Bad” bill: Would expand the state’s film tax credit for qualifying television shows by allowing them to receive a larger rebate from the state. An annual film incentive limit of $50 million would remain intact, but up to $10 million per year in money unused under that cap could be carried forward for use in future budget years.

Eliminate “hold harmless” distributions to cities and counties: Starting in two years, a 15-year phaseout would be enacted of the “hold harmless” payments the state makes to cities and counties. Local governments would be allowed to raise their local option taxes to offset the lost money, but could not levy a tax on food or medical services. Alternatively, they could also trim their spending to compensate for the lost tax money.

Allow single sales factor: Would allow manufacturers to base their income taxes entirely on their New Mexico sales. Unlike previous versions of the tax package, it would not require that companies meet a dollar threshold to qualify. Would be phased in over five years.

Combined reporting: Would mandate that large retailers doing business in New Mexico but based in another state combine their earnings from all subsidiaries for tax purposes. Companies would then pay corporate income taxes to New Mexico based on a portion of those earnings. This could increase the state’s tax revenue. However, big-box retailers would be exempted from the requirement if they also have a nonretail operation in the state that employs at least 750 people.

NEW! SANTA FE COUNTY WINS NATIONAL TRANSPARENCY AWARD

The Sunshine Review, a national nonprofit organization dedicated to government transparency, released the winners of the fourth annual Sunny Awards this week and among the 2013 winners was Santa Fe County. The award honors the most transparent government websites in the nation. Santa Fe County received an A+ from the nonprofit organization. Santa Fe County received an A+ and Sunny Award in 2012 from the organization and an A in 2011.

“Santa Fe County understands the importance of transparency and is continuously working to promote and increase transparency. This would not be possible without the work of our Public Information Office and our dedicated staff. Santa Fe County is honored to receive a Sunny Award,” said Commissioner Daniel “Danny” Mayfield.

For the 2013 awards, Editors at Sunshine Review analyzed more than 1,000 qualifying government websites and graded each on a 10-point transparency checklist. Editors looked at content available on government websites against what should be provided. They sought information on items such as budgets, meetings, lobbying, financial audits, contracts, academic performance, public records and taxes. The winners of the Sunny Award all received an “A” grade during the extensive grading process. View the Santa Fe County Report Card at http://sunshinereview.org/index.php/Santa_Fe_County,_New_Mexico .

The Sunny Awards announcement falls during the annual “Sunshine Week,” March 10-16, a period nationally recognized by hundreds of media and civic organizations, that celebrates the efforts of activists and the strides taken towards open government.

NEW! PAST NMAC PRESIDENT AND STATE LEADER TO BE HONORED AT LEADERSHIP NEW MEXICO AWARDS DINNER

Mr. Tony Atkinson, former San Juan County Commissioner and a Core Class of 2004 graduate, will be recognized for his outstanding leadership and dedication to the state of New Mexico at the 2013 Leadership New Mexico Annual Awards Dinner on May 3, 2013 in Albuquerque.

The Distinguished Alumnus Award recognizes an individual who has used their leadership skills to improve the quality of life for New Mexico.. The recipient of this year's Distinguished Alumnus Award, Tony Atkinson, is a resident of Farmington and served two terms as San Juan County Commissioner until 2012. Tony is extremely involved in his community and the state and has participated in many local and national organizations such as: the Farmington Chamber of Commerce; Leadership San Juan; the New Mexico Association of Counties; San Juan Safe Communities; and the Finance and Intergovernmental Affairs Committee for the National Association of Counties. He was recently named "2012 Citizen of the Year" by the Farmington Chamber of Commerce.

The 2013 Leadership New Mexico Annual Alumni Awards Dinner will be Friday, May 3 at the Sandia Resort and Casino in Albuquerque. Registration forms for sponsorship opportunities and dinner tickets are available online at www.leadershipnm.org/events or by calling 505-241-4800.

NEW! ATTORNEY GENERAL’S OFFICE OPEN MEETINGS ACT & INSPECTION OF PUBLIC RECORDS ACT WORKSHOP APRIL 25, 2013

Once again the Attorney General’s Office will be hosting a workshop on the Open Meetings Act (OMA) and the Inspection of Public Records Act (IPRA) in Española, NM April 25, 2013. Both workshops are designed to provide assistance to local governments, members of government boards and commissions, and the general public.

"Sunshine Laws" training:

1:30pm - 3:30pm

Northern New Mexico College

Joseph Montoya Building-Room AD 101 -1 02

921 Paseo de Oñate

Española, NM

Though the training is offered to you at NO CHARGE, we do ask that you RSVP to the Civil Division's La Verne Roller at or 505-827-6063.

NEW! OSHA 10-HOUR CONSTRUCTION SAFETY COURSE

Bernalillo County Risk Management is providing another session of the Department of Labor, OSHA 10-hour Construction safety course. There are a few seats open for staff from NMAC member counties

The two-day course is April 23rd and 24th. Cost is $5/person for the OSHA completion card.

If interested, please contact Safety Specialist Justin Vigil at 505-314-0453.

NEW! VOLUNTEER FIREMANS INSURANCE SERVICES (VFIS)

VFIS, a part of the Glatfelter Insurance Group, has been a partner with NMAC for many years providing accident and sickness insurance for volunteer firefighters, sheriffs’ reserves and other county volunteers. VFIS is the leading insurer of fire departments in New Mexico and in the United States. The Glatfelter Insurance Group also offers property/casualty insurance programs for special districts and joint powers entities, including special districts, irrigation and conservation districts and private and non-profit utilities.

VFIS’s coverage is broad and tailored to the entities they insure. Coverage for special districts includes general liability, public officials and management liability, property, crime and automobile. Excess liability limits can be written for up to $10 million.

For more information on these programs, please contact John Cain at (480) 772-1576 or email him at .

NEW! NEW MEXICO SHERIFFS’ ASSOCIAITON LEADERSHIP AND TRAINING CONFERENCE APRIL 3-5, 2013

EMBASSY SUITES, ALBUQUERQUE

The New Mexico Sheriffs’ Association, the FBI National Academy Associates and NM Department of Corrections are proud to be hosting one of the most dynamic training and leadership conferences this year. All classes are state-certified and certificates WILL BE PRESENTED to attendees on the closing day of the conference, Friday April 5th, 2013.

The $75 registration fee will include 3 breakfasts, 2 lunches, one evening reception (Roast beef carving stations, Caesar salad, & mashed potato bar) and a one-year free membership to the New Mexico Sheriffs’ Association. BOOK YOUR ROOMS NOW AS THE BLOCK WILL FILL UP QUICKLY. CALL 505-245-7100 AND USE NM SHERIFFS CODE TO GET RATE. Go to www.nmsheriffs.com to get all registration forms.

Classes will be presented by several top instructors from the state, Homeland Security, U.S. Marshall Service, FLETC and other recognized organizations.

The Firearms, Cell Phone Forensics, Combat Focus & Courthouse Security classes must be preselected. Attendance is limited; so register early! (20 cases of shotgun slugs, 20 cases of buckshot, and 3000 rounds of .223 ammo have been donated for the participants at the range.)

****COUNTY COLLEGE NM EDGE CLASSES****

NEW! NM EDGE HONING YOUR NM EDGE WEEK & NMAC BIPO COUNTY COLLEGE STUDENTS

Next week the NM EDGE will host Honing Your New Mexico EDGE Classes at the NMSU ABQ Center (4501 Indian School Road). You are receiving this email because our records indicate you have enrolled in classes.

Some of you may be enrolled in classes as part of the NMAC’s BIPO. Please note that all BIPO classes are now being held at the Sheraton Uptown (Menaul and Louisiana). The list of BIPO classes being held at the Sheraton is below (all other classes remain at the NMSU ABQ Center).

We wanted to let you know of this change in advance so that those of you who carpool may make your plans.

If you have questions or concerns please contact us at , 505 424 0744 or 575 646 5424.

Thanks for your continued support of the NM EDGE and we look forward to seeing you next week! Your NM EDGE Team

BIPO Classes which will be at the Sheraton Uptown:

Monday, 1-4 pm

· CPM 111- Knowing Your Government with Dan Bryant

Tuesday, 8:30 – 11:30 am

· CL 100- Roles & Resp. of NM County Clerk, Rayetta Trujillo

· TO 101- Resources for Treasurers, Cathe Prather

Tuesday, 1 – 4 pm

· CPM 142- Ethics & Managing Public Funds with Jolene Slowen

Wednesday, 8:30 – 11:30 am

· CL 112- Public Records with Daniel Ivey-Soto

· TO 202- Reporting Requirements for Treasurers with Jan Porter Carrejo and Dave Pato

Wednesday, 1 – 4 pm

· CPM 144- Risk Management with Donna K. Smith

Thursday, 8:30 – 11:30 am

· CPM 253- Resolutions, Ordinances, Minutes with Dan Bryant

· CPM 141- Public Finance with Jolene Slowen- ( lunch on your own for non-BIPO students)

Thursday, 1-4 PM

· CPM 131- General HR Law with Grace Philips

AVAILABLE NOW! NM EDGE DETENTION SCHOLARSHIP FOR MARCH CLASSES

You may have heard that NMAC has changed the application process for County Detention staff interested in taking NM EDGE classes towards Jail Specialist and Jail Professional certifications using the NMAC Loss Prevention Scholarship. The NMAC LP Scholarship covers the cost of your Jail Specialist and Jail Professional certification classes in the NM EDGE (classes are being offered next week in Albuquerque).

Under the new NMAC policy, each of you needs to reapply for the scholarship (no matter if you have previously been awarded the scholarship, and if you haven’t applied in the past two weeks then you will need to apply under the new guidelines). The NMAC LP Scholarship guidelines are posted on the website at nmedge.nmsu.edu.

The scholarship covers tuition costs of NM EDGE classes required for either of the detention certifications.Applicants who are selected to the scholarship program will receive a letter of confirmation. Their names will also be placed on a list for NM EDGE staff to know that they may register for detention certification classes without paying the tuition. To apply, please contact Jenny Rabinowitz, NMAC LP Coordinator, or 505-820-8126.

REGISTER NOW! 2013 WILDLAND URBAN INTERFACE SUMMIT – NM EDGE TRAINING OPPORTUNITY FOR ICS 402

Registration for the 2013 Wildland Urban Interface (WUI) Summit is now open. The Summit will be held April 3-4 in Taos, New Mexico. The registration is $55.00 through April 2nd and $75.00 for onsite registration.To register, click here https://www.regonline.com/2013wildlandurbaninterfacesummit.. The Sagebrush Inn will serve as the host hotel and is located at 1508 Paseo del Pueblo Sur. Reservations can be made by contacting the hotel directly at 1-800-428-3626 or 575-758-2254. A room block has been reserved at a single/double rate of $79.00. Rooms are still available and will be on a first come, first serve basis. We look forward to seeing you at the WUI Summit!

NMAC and NM EDGE have partnered to offer a special training opportunity for WUI Summit Participants

Incident Command System (ICS) 402 Course (HS 110 in the NM EDGE class catalog) – Overview for Executives/Senior Officials

Thursday, April 4th from 8:15 a.m. – 12:15 p.m.

Participants must be registered for the WUI Summit in order to attend this training and must meet the following additional requirements for NM EDGE credit:

· To enroll in this class go to reg.nmedge.nmsu.edu

· Current Students use your student number and password

· New Students must create an NM EDGE student account

· Students wanting NM EDGE credit for the class must enroll in the class using the NM EDGE Student Record and Enrollment Site (reg.nmedge.nmsu.edu).