Taos County approves construction bid for Holy Cross Medical Center

In a recent meeting of the Taos County Board of Commissioners, significant discussions centered around the approval of construction bids for the Holy Cross Medical Center and the renewal of a short-term rental portal, highlighting the county's ongoing efforts to enhance local infrastructure and services.

The board approved a bid from Bradbury Stamm Construction Inc. for the construction of the Holy Cross Medical Center, with a total project cost of approximately $15.2 million. This decision followed the withdrawal of a competing bid from James Corp, which was disqualified due to a substantial error in their bid submission. The approved bid includes several alternates, such as contingency funds and specific construction materials, reflecting the complexities of current market conditions and construction costs.

Commissioners expressed concerns about the project's timeline and potential cost overruns, particularly given the project's scale, which is expected to be significantly larger than existing county buildings. The board discussed the necessity of hiring additional staff to manage the project effectively, emphasizing the importance of collaboration between the county, the hospital, and the construction team to ensure timely completion.

In addition to the construction project, the board also addressed the renewal of the Granicus short-term rental portal, which is essential for managing rental properties in the area. The renewal, costing $72,828.79, was approved to continue facilitating the county's short-term rental program. This renewal is particularly relevant as the county prepares to enhance its capabilities in collecting lodging taxes, although the implementation of this feature is still in the planning stages.

The meeting also included discussions on the Lodgers Tax Advisory Board's funding recommendations, which totaled $409,085 for various projects aimed at attracting visitors to Taos County. The board emphasized the importance of marketing these events to audiences outside the county, ensuring that local initiatives also benefit from external tourism.

Overall, the meeting underscored the county's commitment to improving infrastructure and services while navigating the challenges of funding and project management. As the board moves forward with these initiatives, the focus will remain on effective collaboration and community engagement to maximize the benefits for Taos County residents.