A pipeline that would bring water to residents in the Cañoncito area east of Eldorado is the biggest-ticket item on Santa Fe County's capital outlay wish list for the January legislative session.

The pipeline, for which the county is requesting just over $5 million, is needed because the quality and quantity of water in the Cañoncito area is poor, county officials say.

Other requests in the county's top five legislative priorities are:

• $3 million to plan, design and upgrade County Road 42.

• $2.3 million for upgrades at the county's Adult Detention Center, including $45,000 for an employee-training area, $50,000 for a heat-sensing camera and $700,000 to remodel the entrance for security purposes.
•
 $1.5 million to plan and build a regional water and wastewater system in the Pojoaque Valley.

• $500 to build new animal barns, offices and vending areas at the Santa Fe Fair Grounds.

The county also is seeking to have the position of county surveyor eliminated. The duties traditionally handled by the county surveyor have been taken over by county land-use and zoning staff, according to county spokesman Stephen Ulibarri.

Santa Fe County is the only county in the state that has an elected, paid assessor because it opted not to throw out the position when other counties were given the option during a previous session.

Contact Phaedra Haywood at 986-3068 or phaywood@sfnewmexican.com.