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F I S C A L I M P A C T R E P O R T
SPONSOR Tsosie
DATE TYPED 2/2/05
HB
SHORT TITLE McKinley County Food Distribution
SB 479
ANALYST Hadwiger
APPROPRIATION
(in $000s)
Appropriation Contained Estimated Additional Impact Recurring
or Non-Rec
Fund
Affected
FY05
FY06
FY05
FY06
100.0
Recurring General Fund
(Parenthesis ( ) Indicate Expenditure Decreases)
SOURCES OF INFORMATION
LFC Files
Responses Received From
Department of Indian Affairs (DIA)
Human Services Department (HSD)
Department of Finance and Administration (DFA)
SUMMARY
Synopsis of Bill
Senate Bill 479 appropriates $100,000 from the general fund to the Local Government Division
of the Department of Finance and Administration (DFA) to contract for a program that will pro-
vide collection and distribution of free or reduced-cost food and necessities to low-income resi-
dents of McKinley County.
Significant Issues
According to the Department of Indian Affairs (DIA), the need for this appropriation originates
from a high level of poverty and loss of jobs in McKinley County. In particular, DIA noted that
McKinley County is a mostly rural county with the highest poverty rate in the State. McKinley
pg_0002
Senate Bill 479 -- Page 2
County also ranks third in the Nation for having the highest population of Native Americans.
Native Americans, however, are not the only residents in the county that live in poverty-stricken
conditions. In McKinley County, one of the largest employers, P & M Mine, is scheduled to
close in 2008 resulting in the loss of approximately 315 high paying jobs for the county. The
closure phasing will begin this year and one-third (approximately 100) of their workforce will be
laid-off. The closure of this company is not only going to affect the individuals and their fami-
lies employed by it, but also the local economy and community.
The Department of Finance and Administration indicated the funding will go toward operating
expenses of the Community Pantry in Gallup. The Community Pantry operates in three counties:
McKinley, Catron, and Cibola. With the additional $100,000 in operating funds for the main
office in Gallup, this will free up funds for the two branch offices in Catron and Cibola Counties.
So all three counties will benefit, either directly or indirectly, from SB 479. DFA also noted that
the Community Pantry has been operating for six years and feeds over 4,500 people per month in
McKinley County alone. Community Pantry operates primarily through donations but does re-
ceive some federal funding through the New Mexico Human Services Department. HSD staff
praise Community Pantry and indicate that, due to decreasing federal funding, Community Pan-
try has had a tougher time making ends meet.
The Human Services Department indicated that McKinley County has the highest Food Stamp
participation rate in NM at over 25%.
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS
The appropriation of $100,000 contained in this bill is a recurring expense to the general fund.
Any unexpended or unencumbered balance remaining at the end of FY06 would revert to the
general fund.
ADMINISTRATIVE IMPLICATIONS
DFA indicates that this program could be administered with existing staff and resources.
DH/lg