Council directs staff to pursue custodial services agreement with Fort Bliss, seeks AG opinion

The Socorro City Council on May 15 voted to proceed with an intergovernmental support agreement (IGSA) to provide custodial services at United States Army Garrison Fort Bliss facilities and authorized staff to seek an opinion from the Texas Attorney General on the arrangement.

City staff said Fort Bliss approached Socorro about using municipal resources to provide custodial services under an IGSA, a mechanism other municipalities have used to provide services to military installations. Staff described the arrangement as economic development and workforce opportunity: the city would hire custodial staff (with preference measures for Socorro residents) who would perform services under contract with the Army garrison; the Army would reimburse the city under the IGSA. Staff emphasized the city would not divert core municipal staff from existing city duties but would hire and manage custodial crews dedicated to the Fort Bliss work.

Council sought clarity on operational control, hiring preferences and security clearances required for personnel to work on post. Staff said Fort Bliss requires background checks and access-control requirements for personnel working on base, and that hiring would prioritize Socorro residents with a scoring preference in interviews. The city attorney indicated she would provide legal guidance and staff requested a formal Attorney General opinion to confirm the legal posture of the IGSA before full execution.

A motion to approve moving forward with the agreement and separately seek an Attorney General opinion passed after discussion. Staff said the IGSA could produce local jobs and strengthen municipal partnership with Fort Bliss; exact staffing numbers and contract terms will be developed in subsequent negotiations and presented to council for authorization before final contractual commitments are made.