[{"_1":2,"_87":-5,"_88":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6324545,"mediaKeyId","2337999-a70472b31eb3469d3da5fda80755396f","parentId",2337999,"title","Taos County manager reports land purchases for fire-rescue, wildfire planning and joint March meeting with Town of Taos","audioSeconds",179,"startMs",1856000,"endMs",2035000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2337999-a70472b31eb3469d3da5fda80755396f&start=1856&end=2035","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2337999-a70472b31eb3469d3da5fda80755396f/thumbnail_1856000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6324545/Taos-County/New-Mexico/Taos-County-manager-reports-land-purchases-for-fire-rescue-wildfire-planning-and-joint-March-meeting-with-Town-of-Taos","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6324545-8511685081ba23e357d3cf9e22d7ac18/orig.mp4?Expires=1773585089&Signature=CS9SnE0bhxtshkGwg~DfZchDlcISCnQy4eF3xcsPPnzIyiru6lLgvcfsdPnkVxUnr1NT1AfOK0m46SSG1uE~biPIDUmAh6wLuAIw5wWrv9bduna601dB4R6RFPbRDQVnJjlnFubggrHwJoRF1KPDFKTOT4OpFKHpPAOwbiw2QuEefSekvrXsc5dO0O7glh3v5H3CsNvW0sHvIg3Tkxc2sT3qWq3AGyKbrPgmutJy66IJ8tFtMDib6sS-GnDpkEM7Y~ULV1PrMDfMgZOYpSnoOuookotsybr8CO33q3D3ZDsFwYR~8pZnqpdxdpq1trXGwsiPHa82p7s8Z9NDI0dL-Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Taos County, NM","date","2025-02-19T05:02:26Z","article","Taos County Manager Brent Jaramillo told the Board of County Commissioners on Feb. 18 that the county completed a 5.03-acre purchase for the fire and rescue department and expects to close on an adjacent nine-acre parcel later in the week as part of a lease-purchase transaction.

Jaramillo said the county will use the land to support fire and rescue operations and that zoning changes tied to a county housing project will follow. “The county closed on the 5.03 acres for the fire and rescue department. So, we closed on that piece of property. The county will be closing on the 9 acres next door,” Jaramillo said, adding that the second closing is through the title company as part of the lease-purchase process.

On wildfire preparedness, Jaramillo said internal staff continue regular planning meetings and that the county expects to hold broader external planning meetings in April. Commissioner Vigil asked whether the county would include outside partners; Jaramillo said external meetings are planned and that the commission will be updated as plans proceed.

Nut graf: The county is advancing land acquisitions and preparedness planning that aim to support emergency services and future land-use changes; staff said more detailed organizational and budget changes will come to the commission in the near term.

Additional updates: Jaramillo said the bid for a medical office building intended to house services associated with Holy Cross is going live, and county staff will work on a lease agreement for the facility; he said the county is acting as fiscal agent and will complete bond-closing documents tied to that work. He also announced a joint meeting with the Town of Taos senior management on March 27 to coordinate agendas and planning.

Commissioners’ comments: Commissioner Brush requested a follow-up retreat or working session on county vacancy and retention data after conversation about recent changes to vacancy rates and recruitment. Commissioner Hill reported participation in the Taos County weed management group; he said the group seeks to be part of land-use regulation conversations and has requested county staff participation and consideration of a possible ordinance. Commissioner Romero reported increased contractor activity on the historic courthouse project on the plaza and said a new superintendent is optimistic the project can be completed this year.

Ending: Jaramillo said staff will return to the commission with organizational chart modifications, any job description changes, and drafts for recycling specialist budget items; commissioners asked staff to provide timelines and to bring the wildfire preparedness and vacancy-rate follow-ups to future meetings.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Board of Commission Regular Meeting 2-18-2025","oneSentenceSummary","County Manager Brent Jaramillo told commissioners the county closed on 5.03 acres for the fire and rescue department, will close on an adjacent 9 acres, is continuing internal wildfire preparedness planning, and has scheduled a joint meeting with Town of Taos senior management for March 27.","taxTitle","Taos County, New Mexico","taxId",70185,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6324550,"Taos County commissioners approve multiple contract amendments, sheriff communications system and revised job description",106,1192000,1298000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2337999-a70472b31eb3469d3da5fda80755396f&start=1192&end=1298","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2337999-a70472b31eb3469d3da5fda80755396f/thumbnail_1192000.jpg","/articles/6324550/Taos-County/New-Mexico/Taos-County-commissioners-approve-multiple-contract-amendments-sheriff-communications-system-and-revised-job-description","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6324550-d35bb49acbcde66ebe5879f1a6e584fe/orig.mp4?Expires=1773585089&Signature=ZPdimVZSV7Dx9k~hPCwteVMS08vwr7-UYJPAks44X9APDjBqnT09y67b~G3RhUm9RA7JwXuIwgDmFGLRPbwGlvonZZ71nc-lvp5t9VQdjfsSCfOHEyg~VqlDYC3OXg5QKmn~AkLMFGTnUTWS1bRi8-St5P10TcA-QgnMuQ69bQiOWbhxfCw4wXE7CEE34bxljffFq1fqUp1StSdoWtV-fiQKl21GrJ~Ht6EQMklkqhg0RNSdyngHyzeqzfastQy32ybXSAolrJqmEzZdCVu4ouKtjm8penq6EEjIKDb5IQA7WGiPR4jiwX-WgRQRDJAL8LsBRFdsTU8cT5Ar56DV2A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Taos County commissioners voted unanimously on Feb. 18 to approve a set of contract amendments and purchases related to county facilities, affordable-housing infrastructure and the sheriff's office, and to adopt a revised accounting specialist job description for the finance department.

County staff presented a series of procurement items before the board, including amendments to architectural and engineering contracts for the Taos County Detox Center, civil engineering work for a planned 90-unit affordable housing development, and renovations to the Taos County Sheriff’s Office. Elsa Vigil, a county staff member, described each amendment and the additional fees requested. “The additional services are coordination of engineering associated with the kitchen renovation and coordination of consulting services associated with Via Postiva. Altogether, the total fixed fee is 30,300,” Vigil said about the detox center amendment.

The commission also approved a contract to purchase a SkyMira satellite-based communications system for 30 sheriff’s office vehicles. Mike Bridal of the county IT department said the system includes a recurring service subscription; he described the service fee as part of the expected annual cost: “It's part of the $45,000 a year. That includes the service piece of it too.” Vigil told commissioners the total purchase price quoted was $374,552.64, with funding drawn from MIS/IT budgets, Law Enforcement Protection Funds (LEPF), and sheriff’s office funds.

County Manager Brent Jaramillo and staff summarized timelines and funding sources for several items. On the sheriff’s office remodel, Jaramillo said staff met with the architect and expected to have final pricing in April, with bidding or use of a state price agreement expected by May or June and construction completed in the fall timetable discussed at the meeting.

Nut graf: The combined approvals fund design and preparatory work for several county capital projects and key equipment purchases; commissioners emphasized fiscal tracking and interagency coordination, and the SkyMira purchase establishes a new communications capability for patrol units in areas with limited cellular coverage.

Supporting details and context: The amendments include additional fees to existing purchase orders or contracts rather than new separate procurements. For the 90-unit housing development, staff said the added scope is civil engineering for grading, drainage, utility plans and a required traffic study; the amendment added a fixed fee of $85,100. For the sheriff’s office remodel, staff described work that includes replacement of asphalt and concrete, a solar carport structure, window and door replacement, exterior stucco and raising a site wall; an amendment increase of $61,247.18 was described in the meeting and reflected in the related contract item presented for approval. Living Design Group is the architect of record on several of the related projects and holds amended contracts for design and civil engineering services.

On the SkyMira system, staff provided a funding breakdown: roughly $99,000 of the purchase will come from sheriff-controlled funds for radio hardware, $42,000 will cover the subscription/service line item, and the balance (about $237,000) will be paid from MIS/IT capital lines. Bridal confirmed a recurring service fee and that the county will enter both a purchase/install contract and an ongoing annual service contract.

Votes at a glance:
- Amendment 1 — additional architectural services, Phase 2 Taos County Detox Center (increase $30,300). Motion: Commissioner Hill; second: Vice Chair Romero. Roll call: Commissioner Hill — yes; Commissioner Romero — yes; Commissioner Brush — yes; Commissioner Vigil — yes; Vice Chair Romero — yes; Chair Mascarinas — yes. Outcome: approved.
- Contract TCC2024-51A1 — Living Design Group, renovations for Taos County Detox Center (contract amendment). Motion: Commissioner Hill; second: Vice Chair Romero. Roll call as above. Outcome: approved.
- Amendment — additional civil engineering and traffic study for 90-unit housing development (added fixed fee $85,100). Motion: Commissioner Romero; second: Commissioner Brush. Roll call: Commissioner Cahill/Hill — yes; Commissioner Romero — yes; Commissioner Brush — yes; Commissioner Vigil — yes; Vice Chair Romero — yes; Chair Mascarinas — yes. Outcome: approved.
- Contract TCC2024-25 — Living Design Group, civil engineering for housing project (contract amendment). Motion: Commissioner Brush; second: Commissioner Vigil. Roll call: all present voted yes. Outcome: approved.
- Amendment 1 — Taos County Sheriff’s Office renovation (added amount $61,247.18; new contract total presented as approximately $120,001.58 inclusive of GRT). Motion: Commissioner Romero; second: Vice Chair Romero. Roll call: all present voted yes. Outcome: approved.
- Contract TCC2024-26 A1 — Living Design Group renovations at the old BLM site for the Taos County Sheriff’s Office (contract amendment reflecting the same increase). Motion: Commissioner Romero; second: Vice Chair Romero. Roll call: all present voted yes. Outcome: approved.
- Purchase — SkyMira communications system for 30 sheriff vehicles, total quoted $374,552.64 (funds from MIS/IT, LEPF and sheriff funds). Motion: Commissioner Veil/Hill; second: Vice Chair Romero. Roll call: all present voted yes. Outcome: approved.
- Revised job description — Accounting Specialist, Finance Department (restructuring to focus duties in finance). Motion: Commissioner Brush; second: Commissioner Vigil. Roll call: all present voted yes. Outcome: approved.
- Consent agenda — Items A through K as presented. Motion: Commissioner Romero; second: Commissioner Brush. Roll call: all present voted yes. Outcome: approved.

Clarifying details: The SkyMira purchase includes hardware and an annual subscription/service fee (staff cited a $45,000-per-year service figure in discussion). The 90-unit housing amendment covers civil engineering and the required traffic study; staff said these funds will come from capital outlay awarded earlier for affordable housing. The sheriff’s office remodel is intended to be funded against LATCF funding and requires finalized pricing before construction procurement.

Staff and commissioners asked that project teams coordinate with local partners: Commissioner Brush asked that designers keep an eye on water movement and coordination with the Rio Fernando Collaborative while working on the housing site; staff confirmed the architect of record (Living Design Group) is involved on both the housing and trail projects.

Ending: Commissioners said they expect more detailed designs and final pricing in the coming months and that staff will return to the board with procurement steps and contract solicitations as pricing is finalized.","The Taos County Board of County Commissioners on Feb. 18 approved a series of contract amendments for a detox center, affordable-housing engineering, sheriff's office renovations, the purchase of a SkyMira communications system for sheriff vehicles, and a revised accounting specialist job description.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Taos County manager reports land purchases for fire-rescue, wildfire planning and joint March meeting with Town of Taos

Taos County commissioners approve multiple contract amendments, sheriff communications system and revised job description