About the City of Roswell, New Mexico,
USAAbout the City of Roswell, New Mexico,
USAClick logo to see a larger view and description.
This is the 1999-2000 budget for the City of Roswell. The budget is designed
to show each department the exact amount of money that can be expended by their
department, the type of expenditures the money can be spent for and the projects
that have been approved for the year. This creates pages and pages of detail. It
is sometimes hard to sort specific information or to see the overall picture.
The following information is provided to help you understand the functions of
the city and help in reading the budget document.
The City of Roswell is classified with the State Department of Finance and Administration (DFA) as a Mayor-Council with Manager form of organization. Under this form of government there is an elected Mayor and ten elected Counselors. Each of these elected officials serves a four year term. This governing body appoints a city manager who supervises the day to day activities of the city and carries out policies determined by the elected officials.
DFA lists these four steps in the budgeting process, (1) preparation, (2) approval, (3) execution and (4) review. The preparation stage includes the estimation of revenues and costs based on historical data and information available from department heads and management on plans for the future. As a part of the budget process priorities are established and resources allocated accordingly.
Approval of the budget document is made by both the local governing body and the state oversight agency. The execution of the budget is a continuous year long process. It includes accounting, purchasing, investing, managing cash and reviewing revenues and expenses. The purchasing process is governed by the State Procurement Code. The accounting for the budget is a complex task following the generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) of the Governmental Accounting Standards Board (GASB). The review process occurs each year when the city is audited by a private outside accounting firm
Governmental accounting is based on a system of Funds. The basic types of Funds are:
Governmental Funds
General Fund
Special Revenue Funds
Capital Projects Funds
Debt Service Funds
Proprietary Funds
Enterprise Funds
Internal Service Funds
Fiduciary Funds
The general fund is used to account for all departments that are not required to be in another type of fund. There can only be one general fund. The special revenue funds are set up to account for specific revenue sources that are legally restricted. Capital project funds account for acquisition or construction of major capital projects. Debt service funds are created to account for the payment of debt principal and interest.
An Enterprise Fund is set up to function a private business with the expectation that costs will be covered by revenue. Internal service funds are for those departments which provides services to other governmental departments. The Fiduciary funds are for assets held in trust for another governmental agency.
There are two major differences in governmental accounts from those of a private business. First, the budget amounts are included in the accounting records and second, amounts committed for goods or services are encumbered, that is, recorded as pending expenditures. These amounts are used as a control on government spending. These differences require a great deal of effort to be expanded in the creation of the budget. The detailed department budgets in this document are in order by the type of fund they represent. The general fund is listed first and the enterprise funds are last.
The city has many departments, most of which are in the General Fund. These departments cover a wide variety of activities. Some are general government departments covering administrative duties and maintenance of city property. Others are concerned with Public Safety and the legal aspects of the municipal government.
Public Works and basic services such as streets, water and sewer services make up a large number of departments. The remaining departments are devoted to the cultural and recreational enjoyment of the citizens. Currently a number of Grants are treated as if they were separate departments because of requirements by the granting agency. Other grants are included in the department which receives the benefit of the grant, such as Transit or Airport. In preparing a description of each department, information was requested and received from many department heads. The following are descriptions of the major departments in the city. Others are used for internal transactions and debt service.
Executive and Legislative. This department is comprised of the elected mayor
and council of the city as well as the administrative secretary to the Mayor.
Regular council meetings are held on the second Thursday at each month at seven
o'clock p.m. in the council chambers at City Hall. Each counselor is the chair
person of one subcommittee of the Council and serves as a member of two other
committees. This information is shown on the City
Council page.
Legal. The office of the city attorney is designed to support the functions of the city. The office provides legal advice and counsel to the members of the governing body, the administration and all city departments and branches. The city attorney prosecutes cases in Municipal Court and Magistrate Court when an attorney is representing the defendant. Additionally, the city attorney defends the city in all lawsuits in which there is no insurance coverage. During recent months this office has been more active in working with insurance counsel to assure that the city's needs are being addressed. The office has been active in filing and prosecuting cases against individuals and businesses owing the City money. Within the last year this office has defended the city's interests in a number of bankruptcies. Lastly, the city attorney negotiates, reviews and drafts ordinances, resolutions and contracts.
During fiscal year 1998-1999, the legal department was successful in having the case of Garza v. City of Roswell dismissed. As a result of an agreement with the district attorney, the city attorney is now prosecuting many City cases in Magistrate Court. In a series of drug forfeitures we were able to obtain funds for drug interdiction. The city attorney has tried many more Municipal Court appeals than in prior years. The city attorney revamped the Roswell City Code. Funding for a part-time probation officer was obtained and a probation program was instituted.
For next year the office will continue along the path set last year. There will be continued interface with insurance counsel in cases affecting the City's interests. This office would like to see more preventive law, such as seminars presented to the employees to prevent litigation. Already there is an effort to keep the police informed of the current law changes as they happen, and the police department briefs its people on these changes. A greater effort must be made in remaining in personal contact with elected officials and department heads; however, the press of work has limited this most important function.
The Financial Administration and elections. This is one of the most diversified departments in the city. Among those included are the city manager, city clerk, city planner, public relations, property management, and accounting staff along with data processing and budgeting.
Over the years municipal clerks have become the direct link between the inhabitants of their community and their government. The Clerk is the historian of the community as well as an administrator of elections
The function of the city planner is to assist the public with private
development projects under the guidelines of the city comprehensive plan and to
assist in the administration of zoning and subdivision ordinances and related
development. He also helps other departments with professional planning,
research, technical studies, review, analysis and updating statistical,
demographic, economic and related studies. He assists in the preparation of the
city's long-range capital improvement program, coordinates recommendations from
other departments and agencies into a comprehensive planning documents, assists
other City officials in preparing financial assistance applications for a
variety of developmental services.
The public relations office is responsible for issuing press releases and setting up press conferences. They also create radio and TV ads as well as videos, maps, and brochures for various city programs. In addition, this person is the emergency services information officer, directs the City's United Way campaign and coordinates large city projects, such as public relations for street reconstruction, dealing with the public and local businesses.
The property manager oversees the operations of Facility Maintenance, as well as all of the leased property in the city. He is active in any property acquisitions the city may make, including right of ways. He also manages several grants including the CDBG fund, the state housing grant, the Civic Center project and others.
Accounting personnel are responsible for the daily collection of accounts receivable and cash, the processing of the biweekly payroll and the payment of all accounts payable. In addition the monthly and annual financial statements, bank reconciling and filing of all required federal and state reports on a monthly, quarterly and annual basis. Answering inquiries by the public and other departments is a big part of the days activity. Accounting standards control the activities of this department and prepare the city for its annual audit
The data processing director is charged with the management of the city's main frame computer system. Currently the system processes: purchasing, accounts receivable and payable and the daily activities of the water-customer service department, including the issuance of water and sewer bills.
Human Resources and Employee Insurance. The human resources department provides the human resources and the employee insurance services for the City of Roswell.
A major service of this department is to administer the application process for employment with the city Roswell as well as the transfer and promotion process for our employees. The process includes preparing job posting, maintaining employment applications as well as the processing of the paperwork necessary to hire a new employee or transfer or promote a current employee
Another function of the human resources department is to maintain the computerized employment records of over five hundred employees, which is coordinated with benefits such as retirement, deferred compensation and employee insurance. We administer the eligibility for the group life, health, dental and vision insurance of our employees. In addition, we administer the COBRA for post-employment insurance.
Another function of our department is to act as adviser to our employees, management, retirees and the general public on human relations issues.
Purchasing department. Purchasing activities of the city represent a public trust as well as a business necessity. The department is responsible for the procurement of services, construction and items of tangible personal property for the City, as well as the management and disposal of surplus. This requires me application and adherence to the procurement code of those states, of New Mexico in the purchasing policies and practices for the city. The purposes of the procurement code are to provide for the fair and equitable treatment of all persons involved in public procurement, to maximize the purchasing value of public phones and to provide safeguards for maintaining a procurement system of quality and integrity. The purchasing department strongly adheres to teach empties purposes. The employees handle a variety of functions, including import and creation of purchase orders, advertising for bids and proposals, and storing various inventory items in the warehouse until needed by other departments.
Facilities maintenance. The facilities maintenance department is charged with providing support services to all city departments, particularly in regard to the maintenance and repair of city owned buildings and equipment. The services provided by department personnel are carpentry, electrical, plumbing and painting.
Some of the departments past and current accomplishments included, but are not limited to, the building of workstations in the customer service area of the water billing department. Work stations for the mayors secretary, administrative services secretary, information area, KRB director, human resources director and others.
The electrician has installed much needed outside lighting at the Roswell Public Library, and has also installed new timers for the sprinkler system there. He has done extensive work at the new Landfill during the construction phase. He has provided additional circuitry that the Yucca Recreation Center and has worked on the heating and air conditioning system at the Roswell Police Department.
The plumber addresses a vast number of plumbing problems, in addition to maintaining evaporative coolers and natural gas heating equipment. As a preventative maintenance measure, he replaces filters in heat and air conditioning systems equipment every three months.
The painter applies finishes to newly constructed cabinetry and does painting at all facilities.
Purchasing Department. The purchasing activities of the City represent a public trust as well as a business necessity. The department is responsible for the procurement of services, construction and items of tangible personal property for the City, as well as the management and disposal of surplus. This requires the application and adherence to the Procurement Code of the State of New Mexico in the purchasing policies and practices for the City. The purposes of the Procurement Code are to provide for the fair and equitable treatment of all persons involved in public procurement, to maximize the purchasing value of public funds and to provide safeguards for maintaining a procurement system of quality and integrity. The purchasing department strongly adheres to each of these purposes. The employees handle a variety of functions, including input and creation of purchase orders and advertising for bids and proposals.
East garage. We provide the maintenance for 1-Ton vehicles and we provide the maintenance for equipment such as sleepers, mowers, back hoes, loaders, trenchers and all other city equipment from the smallest mower up to fire trucks. We repair all this equipment within our capabilities for Street Department, Water Department, Parks Department, Waste Water Treatment Plant and Sewer Maintenance, Golf Course and Fire Department
We try to maintain the vehicles in a cost-effective manner. If we can fabricate the part rather than purchasing it, we do so many times.
Lodgers. The lodgers tax collected by the City of Roswell is the revenue source for this department. Promotional activities in the city as well as a portion of the Civic Center Management are paid from this department. A portion of the funds of this department are dedicated to the repayment of the Civic Center revenue bonds.
Police. The Police Mission statement. We, the City of Roswell, together with our diverse Community, commit to enhancing the present and future quality of life through: providing an attractive, safe and environmentally sound community; ensuring active citizen participation in community affairs; exercising stewardship through technical excellence, innovation, fiscal responsibility, and human sensitivity; creating a positive climate for responsible growth and business vitality; and for providing recreational, educational, and cultural opportunities.
The executive summary. The very concept of community is a partnership between two or more partners with a mutual interest. There is perhaps no mutual interest of more value or currently of more concern than providing public safety. To attain this mutual interest requires interaction and participation by all elements of the Community.
The partnership must not just be mechanisms for solving current problems but must be continuous way of identifying issues and delivering services. We must cooperatively pool our resources and work in the same direction with a common goal to ensure that future quality of life our Community expects and deserves.
The Police Department is committed to our community in delivering professional services to solve neighborhood and community problems. We must maintain the highest level of respect, trust and confidence.
It is essential for the Community to play a primary role in providing safe neighborhoods. They must believe their efforts can and will make a difference. A remarkable example of the Community working together is the Mayor's Crime Coalition Task Force. The communication, interaction and cooperation that we have witnessed is testimony, that people do make a difference.
There are numerous public and private service agencies that are now working together in harmonious efforts to problem solve.
The Police Department is one entity of the criminal justice system. Other entities include the Chaves County Sheriff's Department, State Police, FBI, City Attorney, District Attorney, Probation, Courts and the correctional system. To some degree the Police Department depends on the commitment and effectiveness of these agencies to succeed, for the most part we have experienced tremendous cooperation from these agencies.
The employees of the Police Department are the most important resource we have to accomplish our objectives, our work force is highly motivated and professional. They receive clear direction and leadership from management and are involved in the future development of the department.
Through the efforts of the Mayor, City Councils, State and Federal grants we had been successful in providing equipment, training and technology to the employee's which can turn allows them to perform their jobs efficiently and effectively,. We must continuously ensure that employees are properly equipped with adequate and appropriate tools so that they may do their job.
In order to maximize the use of resources we must incorporate existing technology. In addition, the monitoring and planning of future technological advances provide an opportunity to improve operational efficiency and service delivery.
Successful businesses understand the most important factor in continued success is focusing on the needs and priorities of the community. The Police Department's future success is no less tied to focusing on the needs and priorities that the community.
The Police Department has demonstrated it's commitment and continues to improve communications and cooperation with it's partners in the Community. Examples of our efforts include: (1) improved coordination with the public and private agencies (2) improved relations with the printed and electronic media (3) improved relations with the Roswell Independent School District (4) maximizing communications and cooperation with law enforcement agencies (5) improved cooperation and communication with other entities of the criminal justice system.
The purpose of police services to provide a perception as well as a reality of safety within the community. The department accomplishes this by maintaining of visible presence within the community effectively responding to calls for help, successfully investigating crimes that have occurred and actively suppressing criminal activity.
It is essential for the Police Department to be adequately budgeted and maintain appropriate equipment, training, and technology in an effort to continue the reduction of crime in the City of Roswell and Chaves County.
Fire department. The Roswell Fire Department serves a population of
approximately 50,000 citizens living and working in the 26 square miles that
make up the city of Roswell. The 82 members of the department staff six fire
stations with a fleet of 25 emergency vehicles - including engines, ladders,
rescue, crash units and staff vehicles.
All members of the Fire Department combat division, 75 are registered EMTs. During 1998 the Department responded to 4040 calls for help, of which 78 percent were medical related.
Besides being firefighters and EMTs, the Department operates Technical rescue teams in hazardous materials response and high angle rescue. Additional teams to be implemented, include trench and water rescue.
Fire prevention efforts include annual fire safety education to elementary school age students, fire extinguisher training to various citizen groups, smoke alarm installation in homes for elderly and under privileged citizens in the Roswell vicinity, fire inspecting for existing occupancies and new construction, to meet the city's adopted fire codes, and determining cause of fires and investigation of arson fires..
Animal control. Animal control is charged with the responsibility of picking up stray and unwanted animals, picking up dead animals from private and public property, responding to animal related complaints within the city limits. Ranging from animals running at large, barking dogs, animal abuse and cruelty to animals.
They call load has increased 22 percent over last year. The number of animals that were picked up has increased 28 percent and the number of bites has decrease 15 percent.
Community Enhancement. The newly formed Community Enhancement Department will deal with a very specific "Quality of life" issues. The "Wipe Out Graffiti" program and working with municipal court to put offenders to work collecting litter from the community will be the main day-to-day work load of the department. Work also extends to picking up recycled materials from the community and delivering to the recycling center.
The department will also be working with Keep Roswell Beautiful to assist with its goals including preparing for Earth Month activities and programs throughout the year. This past fiscal year under the supervision of the Keep Roswell Beautiful Department, the enhancement staff has removed graffiti from more than 1,500 sites and collected more than 4,400 bags of litter from the community.
The Community Improvement technicians who make up the department will keep track of their activities and report back to their supervisor, special services administrator. The Keep Roswell Beautiful department will keep a record of the activity at the enhancement staff by working with their supervisor.
Code enforcement. This department is comprised of several functions. These functions are: code enforcement, building inspections, plumbing inspections, business license. Code enforcement addresses quality of life, community health and safety and those violations that do not fall with other departments. Examples are: weeds, litter, accumulations of junk and trash, illegal dumping, etc.. Enforcement is through education, citations, filing in municipal court and in the resolutions processes through the city council.
Building and plumbing inspections conduct inspections on new construction and renovations on existing structures. Compliance is attained through education, correction notices and filing in Municipal and Magistrate court. Demolition activity on unsafe structures is accomplished through City Council resolutions.
Business registration is for the purpose of ensuring that appropriate required certifications are obtained by prospective proprietors.. It is also a tool to insure businesses are located in appropriate locations. All the above activities work closely with many other city departments to ensure that the public receives the type service it has come to expect.
Emergency Management. The Office of Emergency Management provides support to citizens in an emergency and daily lives by preparing for an emergency. This office acts as a liaison between local city, county, state or federal functions, both before and during an emergency.
The office provides training and equipment through grants and state and federal programs to Fire, Police, a EMS, and other government employees and departments as well as volunteers and the general public county wide. This office areas of concern are natural hazards such as: thunderstorms, tornadoes, winter storms, technological hazards such as: hazardous materials, WIPP, and national security such as: Y2K, and civic unrest. We address preparedness response and recovery. This office acts as the agent for all city and county disaster declarations and facilitates all necessary documentation for reimbursement.
Solid waste-collections. The sanitation department collects 95 percent of refuge generated within city limits. Six automated trucks collect the residential refuge twice a week. The commercial refuge is collected using three rear end loader trucks. The frequency of collection can be up to six days per week, we have no limit on the number of dumpsters. Four grapple tracks are used to pick up those items such as furniture, white goods, light construction material, tree limbs, grass clippings, leaves, etc. The sanitation department works under the new Mexico Environment Department Solid Waste Bureau's regulations. Such regulations are necessary to protect and secure the public health, safety and general welfare.
Solid Waste Landfill. The Roswell Municipal Landfill processes the solid waste that is generated in the City of Roswell and all of Chaves county. During 1997 we disposed of 53,927.02 tons of solid waste in the 1998 we disposed of 75,966.27 tons (equal to 3040 fully loaded semi truck loads). We are recycling metal at the following rates: 1995 - 277 tons, 1996 - 304 tons, 1997 - 582 tons and 1998 - 523 tons. We project that during 1999 we will recycling over six hundred tons of metal. We are regulated by the New Mexico Environment Department. We are required to cooperate under local, state and federal regulations that require us to meet specified critical guidelines to ensure environmental integrity for our present and future generations. During 1998-1999 we have upgraded the landfill in order to meet environmental standards. Below are listed in some detail some of the changes that have been made to meet the above mentioned standards.
The City has purchased an additional amount of land for future use bringing our overall acreage to exceed three hundred acres. The city installed a truck scale so that all loads entering the landfill or recycled goods leaving the facility can be weighted, properly charged for and records kept. The city installed a transfer station at the landfill. This allows us to separate the general public from the larger commercial loads. This is a safety precaution. The general public dump into roll off containers within their own area, away of all large equipment and commercial trucks. The City purchased a new roll off tractor for the new transfer station.
The new landfill project also consists of a Haz-mat facility. At this facility we collect household hazardous wastes in order to keep it from being landfilled. The items collected: oil base paint, water based paint, automotive paint, cleaning fluids, waste oil, inks, insecticides, herbicides, acids, antifreeze, solvent, lead acid batteries, transformers, mercury lamps, light tubes, dry cell batteries, etc. Our customers drop off these items at the haz-mat facility. We separate them and send them off to be recycled. A large amount of the paint is given to the City and back to the public where it is used. By doing this type of operation we can assure that these chemicals did not reach our water table.
Roswell Recycling. To grapple tracks collect recycled material from the 10 Igloo collection sites. Cardboard is collected at the landfill and delivered to the recycling facility. The recycling facility recycles plastic, tin and aluminum cans, newsprint, office paper, glass and cardboard. The department is working hard at discovering convenient markets that will pay premium prices for our recycled goods. After the recycled material is sorted out, it is a bailed and shipped to a market. Since the sanitation department took over its recycling program, we are getting closer to making the program self supporting. The metal that we recycle from the landfill is saving landfill space and also making revenue.
Capital Improvements. The Engineering department provides many services for the City of Roswell. Typical services are: design and construction of infrastructure projects that include, roadway, storm drainage, sewer and water systems, traffic lights, recreation trails, ADA improvements, and other miscellaneous improvements; Traffic studies, grants and state highway funding applications, project coordination with Chaves County and the New Mexico State Highway and Transportation Department for roadway and drainage improvements, coordination with developers for new subdivision and commercial development, and support services for the other city departments.
Projects completed last year include North Kentucky Avenue from Sherrill Lane to Mescalero Road, Phase II of the CDBG Program, Delta West parking lot, Phase III of the GIS system, miscellaneous drainage improvement project, Purdy Norris storm drainage improvement project, civic center parking lot project, Phase II of the West 2nd Street design project, Phase II of the East McGaffey Road flood control project, and numerous minor drainage and traffic improvements.
Current projects under construction included: the 400 block Plaza and parking lot, North Atkinson Avenue from Mescalero road to Berrendo road, Phase III of the West 2nd Street design project, phase I of the East Second Street design project and Armstrong drive replat.
Project scheduled for this year are; signalization and reconstruction of the Sunset Avenue and Alameda Street intersection, South Virginia Avenue from Reed Street to Summit Street, East McGaffey detention pond project, South Atkinson Ave sewer line and road improvement project, North Richardson Ave. from college Ave. to Spring River Bridge, Phase III of the CDBG programs, Earl Cummings Loop from Gail Harris to the air terminal and designed and possible construction of West College Ave from Sycamore to Montana..
The GIS system is complete but will require a person to input data and manage the system, if we intend to fully utilize the capacities of the system.
Special Electronics. The primary purpose for this department is to take care of traffic lights and associated equipment. To keep traffic coordinated throughout the city. The street lighting in the City are also our responsibility, school zones for safety are part of our routine installation. Telecommunications for the City are also ours to maintain, computer system for City Hall, waste department are maintained by us, the fire department Opticon and computer system are under our care. Banners and Christmas lighting and special effects are also referred to us.
City Lab. This department does all of the micro bacteria tests for the dairy's in the southeast part of the state. They also do most of the chemical tests for the City of Roswell and the cities surrounding it. They also do a 80 percent of tests required by EPA for the waste water treatment plant and do all the daily tests required by the EPA for WWTP.
Sewer Maintenance. The sewer maintenance department is responsible for
maintaining the sewer lines within the city. This includes repairing broken
sewer lines, raising or lowering manhole rings and lids and cleaning sewer
lines.
We have also been working on complete mapping of the city's sewer system. This will be helpful because it will contain useful information such as distances between manholes, depth of sewer lines and direction of flow.
Roswell test facility. This department was purchased from the federal government to do water research projects dealing with all sorts that entity such as, raising shrimp, catfish, algae for food and water heater testing. The recycling department moved to this location and is a much cleaner operation.
Source of Supply. This department was developed for the purpose of supplying the citizens of Roswell with clean and safe drinking water.
Streets and Highways. Maintain streets, alleys, drainage, right of ways, parking areas, provide street signage and markings. Produce aggregate, sweep the streets, pot hole patching, crack sealing, chip sealing and placing drainage pipe. We also performed dirt work and provide aggregate for other departments and work with the engineering department on roadway rehab projects.
Water Maintenance and transmission. Maintain approximately three hundred miles of main water lines ranging in size from 4" to 48" and maintain all services. This includes replacing and repairing the lines, valves, fire hydrants and providing twenty-fourth hour emergency service so that water service and fire protection, are not interrupted.
Air Center. The Roswell Industrial Air Center is located five miles south of
the City. It was originally developed for military aviation, the former Walker
Air Force Base was one of the largest installations operated by the United
States Air Force Strategic Air Command. Since the base closure in 1967, the City
has converted the extensive airfield complex to civil aviation use. The RIAC is
home to a fireworks factory, a plastic manufacturer, a builder of buses, a candy
manufacturer, aircraft repair and refurbishing companies, and the Roswell
Municipal Airport. All classes of general and commercial aviation activity can
presently be accommodated at the RIAC, including training and research
operations as well as equipment maintenance and testing programs. With five
thousand acres of industrial sites and buildings available for lease in the RIAC
, no tenant should lack for space.
The following items were purchased through the airport improvement program: taxiway reflectors, engineering review for lighting in general aviation ramp, pre-engineering for reconstruction of runway 17/35, snow removal tractor and snow removal motor grader. The passenger facility charge was approved by the FAA and imposed effective April 1, 1999. To improve the appearance of the Air Center, we arranged for the removal of three trees on the parade field, we also ordered and received a "Welcome to Roswell" sign. Which will be placed across the street from the airport terminal. The roofs of the terminal wings were replaced, along with roofing improvement to building 115. Buildings 58 and 66 were leased to AAR, an aircraft salvaging company, refurbished both buildings and were given a rent credit of approximately five hundred and twenty thousand dollars.
Next year hopefully we'll be able to begin the reconstruction of runways 17/35. Along with the runway project we need to repair the roofs of several building: 42, 1081, 1083. We anticipate these to be a major expense, about two hundred thousand dollars. We will also be investigating the installation of fire suppression systems in buildings 85 and 1083. A heating system will be to be upgraded in building 1083.
Cemetery. South Park cemetery continues to fulfill its mission established by the Ladies Cemetery Association in 1886, provide our community with cemetery services. The importance of our department is reflected a number of internments since its inception and the perpetual care they receive financially, however, this budget request continues to utilize reserve funds to cover costs of operation. This may well be one of the last cemetery budgets that does not require general fund support.
Recreation Department - Roswell Adult Center. The Roswell Adult Center promotes quality of life for adults in the community through leisure learning, club activities, volunteer activities and social opportunities.
Recreation Department - Cahoon Park Swimming Pool. The Cahoon Park Swimming
Pool strives to provide quality, seasonal, aquatic and leisure time services by
the Roswell community in the form of instruction, rentals, special events and
general swims.
Recreation Department - Yucca Recreation Center. Yucca Recreation Center is dedicated to providing quality and professional recreational programs and services to meet the needs of the Community.
Recreation Department - Special Programs. The Roswell Special Programs division strives to promote the quality of life for personal growth among its participants by working with the community to provide a variety of quality activities and special events throughout the year.
Recreation department. The Roswell recreation department strives to meet the community's recreational needs and interests by providing a wide variety of quality and wholesome leisure activities through traditional and innovative programming. We are committed to enhancing the quality of life and personal growth for individuals of all ages, and families through participation in passive and active activities.
We will work cooperatively with other organizations and agencies to provide needed leisure services and facilities for the community. We will strive to provide recreation that ensures a positive self image for the community. We are committed to effectively utilizing all available resources and to sustain the confidence of those we serve.
Roswell Public Library. The City Library was one of the three libraries in the Territory of New Mexico, established in 1906 with funding from Andrew Carnegie. For over 80 years the Library has provided free access to the services and materials offered in order to meet the recreational, educational and cultural needs of Roswell and Chaves County. Current services include: books, video, compact disk, online databases, Internet, magazines, newspapers, programming for children, teens and adults, Reference services in person or via telephone.
Roswell Museum and Art Center. The Roswell Museum and Art Center established
1937, is one of New Mexico preeminent museums and holds collections that are
acknowledged as some of the finest in the Southwest, including the
internationally acclaimed Robert H Goddard collection of liquid fuel rocketry.
Sixty one years after its inception the Roswell Museum of Art Center is known as
one of the Southwest's great museum acknowledged by its peers for its
professional achievement, and has recently completed a $1. 2 million capital
expansion- 12 thousand square foot addition to the Patricia Lubben Bassett art
education center. Seventy Five thousand five hundred visitors from throughout
World visit the museum annually. The RMAC serves as a cultural hub for the
community, and an economic anchor that helps to generate tourism and convention
trade while also serving as a linchpin to foster relocation to the area. Through
its public services, provides a high level of activity that is normally seen
larger metropolitan areas. The following annual services and programs augment
the local school curricula, community cultural scene, and support economic
development and tourism initiatives:
1. Exhibitions derived from permanent collections and in loan traveling venues that provide our community and tourists with an understanding of the Southwest
2. Docent tours of the museum, 45-60 minute tours for school children and adults.
3. Classrooms Outreach program, Art 'n' Parts includes second graders to basic art concepts prior to the tour of the museums art collections; Touch the Past introduces fourth graders to the Aston collection using Plains Indian reproductions in a hands on program.
4. Junior Docent Program is for 7th and 8th grade gifted students learn about museum collections and provide tours to second grade students.
5. Studio art classes are offered throughout the year to children and adults in all media - a recent evaluation forms stated "the museum is the only place in town for children to get art which is important for growth and development. The natural high of creating - using music, art, theater - is the real anti-drug program."
6. Informed vision lecture and performance supports the museum mission and its collections through lectures and performances by noted performers, artists, scholars, historians.
7. Teacher Resource Center provides teachers of all levels and disciplines with resources that can be utilized in the classroom and make instructive connections to the museum's collections and exhibits.
8. Events include Goddard Days collaborator, Art on the Plaza, Alien Costume Contest, Community Holiday Open House.
The Robert H Goddard Planetarium holds space camp for children in the summer, multimedia and laser shows, Distinguished Scientist Lecture Series, high school astronomy classes and special programs and events including Star parties and birthday parties under the dome. Facility use of the Roswell Museum and Art Center is a select site for special events and functions held by local and state governments, corporations, nonprofit, and individuals. During the year, the Bassett Auditorium, classrooms spaces, the Goddard Planetarium and conference rooms have been used for dinners receptions, meetings and seminars.
Recently the Roswell Museum and Art Center was selected as New Mexico's sole National Mars Millennium project host organization, and was named by the mid Atlantic arts alliance as New Mexico's sole Millennium Artist in Residence grantee - joining 49 other organizations representing their organizations.
Keep Roswell Beautiful. Although Keep Roswell beautiful has gone through some
administrative changes, the primary goals have not changed. The Department is
focused on litter prevention and control, graffiti education and administration
of the "Wipe Out Graffiti" program, beautification, recycling
promotion and education and public education on solid waste issues. Roswell
became a Keep American Beautiful affiliated community in August 1987. Now, 12
years later, the program has made great strides and has reached out to more than
20 percent of the community.
Keep Roswell Beautiful works directly with the public on "Quality of Life" issues and receives an average of five hundred and twenty calls from the public each month. That is over six thousand two hundred calls per year dealing with questions about solid waste issues, recycling and other community issues as well as requests for graffiti removal, litter removal and beautification information.
The program is partially funded by a grant from the New Mexico State Highway
and Transportation departments. KRB plans to continue improving the quality of
life in Roswell during the next fiscal year. Yearly projects that will be
continued include an Arbor Day celebration, Keep America Beautiful teacher
training, trek for trash, Great American Cleanup, Happy Birthday New Mexico
Awards Program, Giving Tree program, recycling of telephone books, outdoor
environmental classroom, and more.
Golf course. That purpose of the Spring River golf course is to providing the citizens of Roswell and surrounding area the best possible conditions to play golf at an affordable rate. In providing this service we always work to provide a better golf course each year without being detrimental to the environment. The employees of the facility strive to produce a product the citizens of Roswell can be proud of.
Parks. Parks department tries to provide quality parks and recreation
facilities for the community. The parks department is responsible for the
maintenance of all parks, sports fields, recreation trails, belonging to the
City of Roswell except for Jaycee and Loveless Park and the Zoo. 
Parks also
maintains the grounds at City Hall, Water plant, the Police station, Yucca
Recreation center, the Roswell Adult Center, Cahoon Flower Garden, Outdoor
Environmental Classrooms, plus one tree farm, Alameda medians, Delaware and
Linda Vista circles and maintenance of Cahoon swimming pool facility. We also
provide manpower and equipment support for the following events: Earth day,
Party on the Pecos, Gus Macker tournament, soccer and softball tournaments,
Recreation Department special events, Arbor Day and School Picnics in Parks
areas and Grid Iron Gus Football Tournament.
Urban forestry. Following are the services our department provides: record and take responsibility of maintaining and replacing trees on the park areas within the city and assisting park employees to learn how to grow and keep trees and plants healthy. Keep the general public and City officials informed on how and what to plant that is adapted. How to care for them and what can be done for problem trees and shrubs. Control and educate YCC program employees to learn the basics of the Horticulture culture or Arboriculture. Plan and assist with the future development of general tree cover in and on city property and assist and advise homeowners.
Spring River Zoo. The Spring River Zoo is one of only six zoos in New Mexico and the only one offering free admission to the public. Over one hundred thousand visitors annually enjoy this unique city park with over one hundred animals of 40 species. In addition to the animal exhibits, the park consists of 35 acres of turf and trees, paved walk ways throughout, a picnic area, a youth fishing lake, a state of the art handicapped accessible play unit, miniature train and antique carousel.
Zoos offer universal appeal to people of all ages, social and economic
backgrounds. They serve to entertain and educate, often presenting the only link
to nature for our urban population. Zoos and parks are critical factors in the
recruitment of business and industry and impact heavily on the tourist dollar.
Recently completed projects include a new accessible restroom and concession building and fishing dock. In the coming year we hope to continue our efforts to make the visitor area around the concession and rides more a functional for family outing, provide picnic shelters, put a safer landing area under the play units and through a New Mexico Youth Conservation Corp Grant the river bottoms habitat is slated to be naturalized with rock work and landscaping. Programs to increase public awareness and school education are planned as well.
Mass Transit. The Pecos Trails Transit systems provide service to a 28.2 square mile area covering all areas of the City of Roswell. The services consist of five fixed routes and four vans on demand response. The system routes have been revised to better serve the population of Roswell. The configuration of our routes provides an opportunity for passengers to transfer to a main street bus without having to come to the station. In 1998 Pecos Trails transit system made 156,492 passenger trips of which approximately 24% were persons with disabilities, 16% were elderly and 60% were full fare passengers.
The system has become a vital and sound alternative form of transportation for the citizens of Roswell. The system offers transportation to those who would otherwise be home bound. It allows those who use the system to be independent and in most cases self supporting.
These are the major departments of the City of Roswell. They perform a wide
variety of services that affect every citizen. There are always new services and
additional projects that are requested by each department to improve their
service to the public. There are limited resources and many of these requests
can not be met. The following budget is the allocation of those limited funds
for the current fiscal year. It is hoped that this provides the most needed and
wanted services to the most citizens at the least expense.