Empowering taxpayers in Eddy and Chaves counties
Welcome to the Eddy/Chaves County Taxpayers Coalition, your non-partisan advocate for fiscal transparency and public safety. We're dedicated to ensuring that your tax dollars are used efficiently and effectively to benefit our community. Join us in our mission to hold local government accountable and build a safer, more prosperous future for all.
Our commitment
The Eddy/Chaves County Taxpayers Coalition is committed to serving as a vigilant civilian audit body, meticulously monitoring the allocation of local tax revenues. We focus on addressing infrastructure neglect and combating the waste of county resources to ensure that the wealth generated in the Permian Basin is reinvested into the safety and development of our local community.
"Empowering the 'Nobody' to Protect Our Community."
"We are a grassroots coalition of $850M in local assets using Radical Objectivity to hold Eddy and Chaves counties accountable."
- Doctors & Lawyers providing the legal and financial depth.
- Retail & Service workers providing the daily eyes and ears on our streets
- Local students providing the forensic verification and data transparency
TAXPAYER INQUIRY: The Equipment exists. Where is the Action?
"The Coalition has confirmed that Eddy County maintains a fleet of motor graders and plow-equipped trucks at the North (Artesia) and South (Carlsbad) yards. While we recognize that operator safety is important, taxpayers pay for a plan, not a parking lot.
We are formally asking the Public Works Director, Hazer Archer, to explain why a 'Night-Shift Emergency Crew' was not authorized for our Priority 1 County Roads given the 48-hour advance warning of this storm.
Our Position: If the county can afford the equipment, they can afford the overtime to keep the taxpayers safe. We will be requesting the 'Snow Removal Logs' for Jan 24-25 to see exactly when the first wheel hit the pavement."
Why Weren't They on the Roads Last Night?
Based on standard operating procedures for southeastern New Mexico counties and the current storm data, there are three primary reasons for the "missing" crews:
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The "Safety First" Policy: Eddy County typically does not operate heavy motor graders during active blizzard conditions or at night if visibility is below a certain threshold. Unlike NMDOT (State), which attempts 24-hour coverage on major interstates, County policy often restricts operations to daylight hours to protect the safety of the operators and prevent equipment from sliding off narrow county roads.
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Priority 1 vs. Priority 3: The County follows a Priority Map.
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Priority 1: Access to hospitals, fire stations, and law enforcement.
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Priority 2: Major paved collectors.
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Priority 3: Local residential and caliche oilfield roads.
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If you are on a residential or secondary road, the plows literally will not arrive until the "Priority 1" routes are declared clear and safe.
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Pre-treatment Limitations: Unlike the State, which uses liquid brine, the County often relies on "reactive" clearing. If they didn't pre-treat, the snow has likely already bonded to the pavement, making clearing much slower once they do start.
The Eddy County Taxpayers Coalition Santa Fe Demonstration
Delivered by the President of the Citizen’s Coalition for Accountability Santa Fe, New Mexico | January 21, 2026
"I look at these chairs, and I see exactly what the people of Eddy County have come to expect: empty seats for empty promises.
To the Commissioners who aren't here—to those of you watching via a livestream or reading the transcript later—know this: your absence is a confession. It is a confession that you cannot look the dairy farmers, the oilfield workers, and the families of the Southeast in the eye while you oversee the decay of our local governance.
You think that by avoiding this room, you avoid accountability. You are wrong. You have created a vacuum of leadership, and we are here to fill it.
Even the President of the United States has remarked that New Mexico is one of the most corrupt states in the Union. When the highest office in the land identifies the rot, you don’t hide from it—you cut it out. Since this Commission has proven it cannot or will not police itself, we are taking the next step.
We are formally calling upon the Governor to intervene. We are demanding the immediate appointment of an Independent Oversight Committee to audit every contract, every land deal, and every closed-door session held in this county.
If the local authorities will not stand up for Eddy County, then we will bring the state house to your doorstep. The sun is setting on the era of the 'empty chair.' The dawn belongs to the citizens who are actually showing up."
The Hall of Silence.
They aren't just ignoring the Coalition. They are ignoring the taxpayers.
The Political Record
Why the Current Commission is Failing Eddy County
0% Fiscal Oversight
The Commission was made fully aware of the documented waste involving GPS data and fuel consumption. Despite this, they have refused to act as the "purse strings" of the county.
The Broken Promise:
A critical meeting between the Commission Chair and Sheriff Hutchinson to address these waste concerns was scheduled—but it never happened. This refusal to meet and address documented data is a dereliction of duty.
Prioritizing "Social Clubs" Over Safety
While rural bus routes and residential roads lack consistent patrol presence, the Commission has failed to issue a directive stopping the "clustering" of units. They are paying for socialization, not security.
Community Voices
From All Walks of Life in Eddy County
"I've worked the oil fields here for 20 years. We operate on data and efficiency—if we don't, we're out of a job. Why doesn't our County Commission hold the same standard? Seeing the GPS waste data was a wake-up call."
J. Dominguez
Oil & Gas Professional | District 2
"As a retired teacher on a fixed income, I watch every penny. It's heartbreaking to see our tax dollars literally idling away in parking lots when our rural roads are falling apart. We need leaders who listen to the Coalition."
Martha B.
Retired Educator | District 5
"We run cattle on the outskirts, and we rarely see a patrol car unless it's headed to a shift change. This Coalition is finally putting a spotlight on where our money is actually going. It's about time."
Robert T.
Rancher / Agriculturalist
"I support law enforcement 100%, which is why I want them focused on patrolling our streets, not sitting at the pump. The data this group brought forward is undeniable. The Commission's silence is deafening."
Sarah H.
Small Business Owner | Carlsbad
Response Tracker
Election Cycle: 2026Days Since Evidence was Ignored by the Commission
Accountability is coming.
We aren't just complaining; we are organizing. Join the Coalition today to protect Eddy County's future.
Key initiatives
We're focused on three core initiatives to promote fiscal responsibility and public safety:
- Public Accountability: Documenting instances of government waste.
- Citizen Reporting: Providing a secure portal for reporting NMSA violations.
- Data Transparency: Educating the public on local mill rates and revenue exports.
Waste tracker
Explore documented instances of government waste and mismanagement in Eddy and Chaves counties.
Report an issue
Report NMSA violations or hazardous infrastructure anonymously and securely.
Local tax data
Access comprehensive data on local mill rates, revenue exports, and tax allocation.
About us
The Eddy/Chaves County Taxpayers Coalition is a non-partisan oversight organization representing local business owners and residents dedicated to fiscal transparency and public safety. We serve as a civilian audit body that monitors the allocation of local tax revenues, specifically focusing on infrastructure neglect and the waste of county resources.
Voices for transparency
Read stories and insights from community members and our team as we work together towards a more accountable and transparent local government.
"We are your priority when you’re hunting for our votes, but where are the promises you made? Our children are playing on broken equipment in rusted playgrounds and learning in neglected schools. While our tax dollars disappear into 'administrative costs' and vanity projects, the families who actually build this county are being pushed to the side.
Every day you delay, you are stealing the future we were promised for our kids. You’ve left us with nowhere for our families to grow—no safe parks, no community centers, and no hope for the next generation. It’s time to stop looking at us as numbers and start looking at the faces of the families you’ve left behind. We aren't just taxpayers; we are the heartbeat of Eddy County, and we are done being ignored."
Contact us
Location
Artesia, New Mexico, United States