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County allocates hospital-lease funds for EMS vehicles and local grants after AMR notice
Summary
Commissioners approved use of hospital lease funds to help county and municipal fire departments obtain EMS vehicles, equipment and hire EMTs as AMR's 120-day notice pressures local EMS capacity.
Doña Ana County commissioners on June 10 approved a resolution to allocate hospital lease funds to boost local emergency medical services capacity in response to a 120-day termination notice from AMR (American Medical Response) to the City of Las Cruces.
Assistant County Manager Steven Lopez told the board that AMR issued 120 days' notice to the city, and county staff proposed a targeted allocation from the county’s hospital lease fund to build countywide capacity for fire-based EMS transport. "This would help the city of Las Cruces obtain two rescue transport vehicles. It would assist the City of Sunland Park in finalizing funding for a rescue vehicle and getting two EMTs hired for year salaries. And it would assist the Town of Mesilla in getting two EMTs hired for their year of salaries," Lopez said.
The resolution authorizes up to $1,350,000 from hospital lease funds for Doña Ana County Fire Rescue for emergency medical services vehicles and equipment, plus $1,200,000 in grants to the City of Las Cruces, the Town of Mesilla and the City of Sunland Park to support fire-based EMS capacity-building. Lopez said local fire services would likely cover ongoing salaries after the initial year and noted the county request is substantially below the $5 million subsidy previously sought by AMR.
Commissioners discussed whether municipal needs could have been funded from previously allocated dollars to the city; staff said funds originally budgeted for AMR subsidies would be reverted to the county and that hospital lease funds are an appropriate source for this capacity-building use. The board approved the measure by roll call; the clerk assigned the resolution number 2025-66.
Next steps: staff will work with municipal partners and fire chiefs to disburse grants and purchase vehicles and equipment. County attorneys indicated some related legal and intergovernmental details will be discussed further in executive session.
