New Mexico Administrative Code
Title 20 - ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
Chapter 7 - WASTEWATER AND WATER SUPPLY FACILITIES
Part 6 - WASTEWATER FACILITY CONSTRUCTION LOAN POLICIES AND GUIDELINES
Section 20.7.6.11 - GENERAL
Current through Register Vol. 35, No. 18, September 24, 2024
A. Direct loans from the fund may be offered for up to one hundred percent of total eligible project costs under state and federal statutes and regulations, subject to availability of loan monies.
B. Two types of loans are available: planning/design loans and construction loans.
C. A long-term commitment for future funding of a phased or segmented project will not be made; although, partial or phased funding for a project (without a guarantee of future funding) may be offered when deemed necessary to meet state water quality and financial assistance objectives.
D. Monies in the fund shall be loaned to eligible applicants as soon as possible after the monies become available. The fund will be managed so that a reserve is held available. The amount of the reserve will be dependent on the total size of the fund, including both available and committed monies. This reserve may be used for administration of the fund, investment, and limited-purpose contingencies, including increases subject to federal and state statutes.
E. In the event project costs exceed the estimates in the interim loan agreement, the borrower may request that NMED consider an increase to the loan. Such request will be evaluated with respect to available uncommitted monies in the fund, financial risk of the request, and other criteria set by NMED. NMED may follow any procedure deemed appropriate under the circumstances, including renegotiation of the loan agreement in accordance with federal and state statutes.
F. In the event project costs are less than the estimates in the interim loan agreement, then the loan amount shall be adjusted downward by a corresponding amount at the time the final loan agreement is executed following completion of the project.
G. A loan shall be declared in default if the full payment is not received on the due date. Should a loan be declared in default, NMED may initiate legal action to collect past due amounts. NMED may also notify other state agencies and may take actions to preclude the borrower from receiving grant or other financial assistance from state agencies until all delinquent amounts due on the loan have been paid. In addition to these provisions, technical assistance will be provided to a borrower with a loan in default to help assess the problem and advise on corrective actions needed to bring the loan current. Should these efforts fail to produce results and the borrower fails to adhere to the prescribed payment schedule, NMED will dispatch an interdisciplinary team (representatives of the general counsel, state auditor, and local government division, as needed) to conduct a comprehensive assessment of the borrower, including, but not limited to, financial condition, management practices, fiscal capacity, economic circumstances, and violations of the terms and conditions of the legally binding final loan agreement. Upon the report of this team, NMED shall take whatever actions deemed appropriate, including court actions, to resolve the outstanding obligation.
H. NMED may waive or adjust any rule relative to the administration of the wastewater facility construction loan fund where it is deemed that the waiver or adjustment is in the best interest of the state and the community, and the waiver or adjustment does not violate any state or federal statute or regulation.