Turning data into action

Audit Focus: Out-of-County Commuter Waste & Economic Leakage

Date: January 12, 2026

1. Per-Mile Waste Calculation

To determine the true cost of a single deputy commuting from Carlsbad to Roswell, we utilize the standard IRS business mileage rate and actual pursuit-vehicle fuel consumption.

• IRS Standard Mileage Rate (2024/25): $0.67 per mile (Covers fuel, tires, oil, and capital depreciation).

• Total Round Trip (Carlsbad to Roswell): ~150 Miles.

• Cost per Single Trip: $100.50.

• Monthly Waste (20 Shifts): $2,010.00.

• Annual Waste per Deputy: $24,120.00.

2. The "Economic Leakage" Factor (Fuel Revenue Export)

The Eddy County taxpayer is hit twice: once for the fuel cost, and a second time because that fuel is purchased outside our county borders.

• Fuel Export: Every gallon purchased in Chaves County by a deputy is a gallon that contributes 0% Gross Receipts Tax (GRT) back to Eddy County.

• Revenue Loss: Based on a 5.125% State GRT plus local increments, Eddy County loses thousands in potential tax revenue by subsidizing Chaves County businesses with Eddy County tax dollars.

• Maintenance Export: When these high-mileage units require out-of-schedule service due to 150-mile daily commutes, the wear-and-tear costs are borne by Eddy County, while the "economic activity" of the commute benefits a different jurisdiction.

3. Aggregate Impact for the "Roswell Shuttle"

If 20 deputies commute from Carlsbad to Roswell:

• Direct Taxpayer Cost: ~$482,400.00 per year.

• Estimated Capital Loss: Units "age out" of the fleet 3x faster than non-commuter units, requiring a $75,000 replacement (Tahoe/Truck) years ahead of schedule.

4. Summary

For every mile a deputy drives to Roswell, the Eddy County taxpayer loses money that should be funding the 285 Bridge or 26th Street repairs. We are essentially paying Chaves County for the privilege of letting our deputies live there.

The Eddy/Chaves Taxpayer Coalition Forensic Audit Department

Asset Idling Statistics (The "Ghosting" Audit)

"Ghosting"—the practice of leaving a pursuit-rated vehicle running while unattended—is a significant driver of fiscal waste. Unlike standard vehicles, idling a police interceptor (Tahoe/Explorer) incurs high costs due to high-output alternators and engine wear-and-tear.

• Fuel Consumption: An idling V8 pursuit vehicle consumes approximately 0.5 to 1.0 gallons of fuel per hour.

• Engine Hour Equivalence: Industry standards (Ford/GM) dictate that 1 hour of idling is equivalent to approximately 33 miles of driving in terms of engine wear.

• The Cost of a 2-Hour Daily Idle:

  • Direct Fuel Waste: ~$6.00/day (at $3.00/gal).

  • Maintenance Impact: Equivalent to an extra 66 miles of wear daily.

  • Annual "Ghosting" Cost: ~$1,500 in fuel and ~$2,200 in accelerated maintenance/depreciation per unit.

• Coalition Finding: Unattended idling at private residences in Chaves County effectively adds 15,000 "virtual miles" to the engine's life every year without the vehicle ever leaving the driveway.

Infrastructure Neglect Statistics (The Opportunity Cost)

While Eddy County assets are idling in Chaves County driveways, our local infrastructure is reaching a point of "Critical Failure." The Coalition tracks the following neglect statistics as a direct counter-point to administrative waste:

• The Highway 285 Bridge (Artesia): Currently rated for restricted loads. Infrastructure neglect has resulted in an estimated 18% increase in transit time for heavy industrial equipment, costing local oilfield service companies thousands in daily operational delays.

• Hwy 285 Surface Deformation & "Taxpayer Tire Drain": Constant transit of heavy oilfield equipment has created massive asphalt indentations and rutting along the primary 285 corridor. While these "troughs" create severe hydroplaning hazards, the more immediate cost is the accelerated destruction of tires and suspension systems. Residents are forced to pay a "Hidden Road Tax" out of their own wallets for frequent tire replacements and alignments necessitated by the county’s refusal to maintain the asphalt.

• Economic Stagnation: For every $100,000 wasted on the "Roswell Shuttle" and vehicle ghosting, Eddy County loses the ability to repair approximately 0.5 miles of high-traffic industrial roadway.

• Safety Hazard Index: Infrastructure-related accidents in Eddy County have seen a localized spike. We correlate these "Danger Zones" directly with areas where maintenance projects have been deferred for "budgetary reasons."