Information
Find answers to frequently asked questions about the Eddy/Chaves County Taxpayers Coalition, our mission, and how you can get involved. We're committed to fiscal transparency and responsible use of taxpayer dollars in Eddy and Chaves Counties. Explore this section to address any concerns and understand our commitment to the community.
Frequently asked questions
We understand you have questions about our goals and how we operate. Below, we've compiled a list of common inquiries to provide clarity and insight into our work. We strive to promote fiscal accountability and ensure the wealth generated in the Permian Basin is reinvested into our community. This FAQ is designed to address the concerns of concerned citizens, local business owners, and county officials alike.
What are the most common questions people have about the Eddy/Chaves County Taxpayers Coalition and its mission?
1. "Who is actually behind this group?"
The Answer: We are a non-partisan collective of local business owners, residents, and taxpayers representing over $850 million in local taxable assets. We are not a political party; we are a civilian audit body. Our "leadership committee" is composed of the very people who generate the revenue that fuels this county.
2. "Is it legal for citizens to track county vehicles?"
The Answer: Yes. Every vehicle, gallon of fuel, and hour of an official’s time is public property funded by your tax dollars. Observing and documenting public assets in public spaces is a protected right. We are simply providing a digital ledger for what is already public information.
3. "What happens to the evidence I submit?"
The Answer: Your evidence is vetted for accuracy and then logged into our "Forensic Audit." It is used to generate our weekly reports, fuel waste estimates, and "Evidence Packets" that are presented during public commentary at County Commission meetings to force official responses.
4. "Why is the January 20, 2026, deadline so important?"
The Answer: This is the line in the sand. It marks the end of our "private invitation" phase and the beginning of our "Public Accountability" phase. If leadership does not commit to a specific plan for infrastructure safety (like the 285 Bridge) by this date, we move to Phase 2: the public billboard and media campaign.
5. "Are you targeting specific employees?"
The Answer: We are targeting systemic waste, not individuals. However, because accountability requires identifiers, we log unit numbers to determine which departments and supervisors are allowing the "Roswell Shuttle" and "Ghosting" to continue on their watch.
6. "How can my small report make a difference?"
The Answer: A single photo of an idling truck is a complaint. One hundred photos of the same truck at a private residence is a Forensic Audit. Your data point is the "bullet" in our legal and public pressure campaign.
7. "Does this cost me anything to join?"
The Answer: No. We are self-funded by our core membership bloc. Your contribution is your eyes, your camera, and your presence at public meetings.
What are the biggest concerns or misunderstandings you want to address with this FAQ page?
1. Is this group affiliated with any political party?
The Answer: No. The Eddy/Chaves Taxpayer Coalition is strictly non-partisan. We don't care about the "R" or "D" next to a name; we care about the numbers on the ledger. Our only "party" is the taxpayer, and our only platform is fiscal accountability.
2. Is it legal for me to take photos of county vehicles?
The Answer: Absolutely. County vehicles, equipment, and the fuel inside them are public assets. Documenting the use of public property in public spaces (roads, parking lots, gas stations) is a constitutionally protected right. You are simply performing a "Citizen Audit."
3. Will my identity be protected if I submit evidence?
The Answer: Yes. We understand that "Old Boys' Networks" can be vindictive. Our reporting portal allows for anonymous submissions. We vet the data (the photo, the location, the unit number), not the person. Our goal is the evidence, not the spotlight.
4. "But the truck needs to stay running for the electronics/dogs/AC!"
The Common Myth: Officials often use "equipment safety" as an excuse for Ghosting (excessive idling).
The Reality: While certain units have specific requirements, modern county assets are equipped with systems that do not require 45 minutes of unattended idling at a private residence or gym. If it's burning fuel while the driver is off-duty, it’s a waste of your money.
5. Why are you focusing on "Unit Numbers"?
The Answer: Accountability requires an address. A "white truck" is anonymous. "Unit #402" is a specific line item in the budget. By tracking unit numbers, we can identify which departments are the most wasteful and which supervisors are failing to manage their fleets.
6. Aren't you just "harassing" government employees?
The Answer: Asking for an accounting of how public funds are used is not harassment; it is the fundamental duty of a citizen in a free society. We have no interest in an employee's private life—we have every interest in the taxpayer-funded vehicle they drive to get there.
7. What happens if the January 20, 2026, deadline is ignored?
The Answer: Then we move from "Private Negotiation" to "Public Exposure." The data we have collected will be moved to billboards, local media, and social media campaigns across Highway 285. We prefer to work with leadership, but we are prepared to work around them.
8. How is this different from just complaining on Facebook?
The Answer: Complaining is venting; Auditing is leverage. We don't just post pictures; we compile them into Forensic Evidence Packets that we present at official Commission meetings. We turn your "venting" into a legal and political paper trail that cannot be deleted.
Empowering taxpayers
Ready to take action? Join the Eddy/Chaves County Taxpayers Coalition and become a "Citizen Auditor." Submit your reports, attend meetings, and help us ensure fiscal accountability. Together, we can make a difference in our community.