Taos council approves contracts, manager pay increase and liquor license; multiple procurement awards cleared

The Taos Town Council on June 24 approved a package of contracts, amendments and administrative actions, including funding and procurement items that the town says will support operations and upcoming events.

The council voted unanimously on several items during a meeting that included public comment, presentations and staff briefings. Actions included contract amendments for landfill and wastewater services; a contract for detainee services with Taos County; a July Fourth event contractor payment; a multi‑award marketing contract; and an amendment to the town manager's employment agreement that extends a 3% pay increase to town employees. The council also granted a restaurant beer, wine and spirits on‑premises liquor license for Manzanita Market LLC at 103 North Plaza.

Why it matters: The approved items allocate operational funding, extend or renew service contracts and set the financial footing for events and employee pay as the town approaches the new fiscal year. Several of the approvals also prepare the town to move forward on larger capital or service projects tied to grants, bonding or later contract execution.

Key votes (at a glance) • Amendment No. 10 to contract TT22A2321 with Sauter (Sauder) Miller and Associates — approved as amended to $84,966.70 (exclusive of NMGRT) for environmental services and an extension of term to Dec. 2025. (Roll call recorded: Mayor Pro Tem Fambro — Yes; Council Member Oswald — Yes; Council Member Fernandez — Yes.)

• Contract (estimated) for Taos County adult detention center detainee services for FY 2025–26, $200,000 (inclusive of NMGRT) — approved. (Roll call recorded: Mayor Pro Tem Fambro — Yes; Council Member Oswald — Yes; Council Member Fernandez — Yes.)

• Amendment No. 9 to contract TT17O2 with SMA Operations LLC for continued operations of the Taos Valley Regional Wastewater Treatment Facility, $1,229,040 (exclusive of NMGRT) — approved. (Roll call recorded: Mayor Pro Tem Fambro — Yes; Council Member Oswald — Yes; Council Member Fernandez — Yes.)

• Contract with GRMF LLC for the July 4 event in Kit Carson Park, $91,161.13 (inclusive of NMGRT) with 50% paid up front for artist fees — approved. (Roll call recorded: Mayor Pro Tem Fambro — Yes; Council Member Oswald — Yes; Council Member Fernandez — Yes.)

• Multi‑award of RFP 24‑25‑05 for public relations, marketing and social media: The Abbey Agency ($319,300) and Bent House Creative ($50,000), total $369,300 (exclusive of NMGRT) — approved. Council directed staff to finalize scopes and bring presentations back to council. (Roll call recorded: Mayor Pro Tem Fambro — Yes; Council Member Oswald — Yes; Council Member Fernandez — Yes.)

• Amendment No. 1 to employment agreement TT24‑1111‑1 with Town Manager Lupe Martinez — approved; the amendment extends a 3% increase to the manager and to town employees (fire employees receive a separate 2% increase per their agreement), effective with the new budget cycle. (Roll call recorded: Mayor Pro Tem Fambro — Yes; Council Member Oswald — Yes; Council Member Fernandez — Yes.)

• Liquor license (restaurant B — beer, wine and spirits, on‑premises) for Manzanita Market LLC, 103 North Plaza — approved following a public hearing. (Roll call recorded: Council Member Oswald — Yes; Council Member Fernandez — Yes; Mayor Pro Tem Fambro — Yes.)

• Approval of minutes (06/09/2025 workshop) as amended to reflect a quorum was present — approved.

Discussion and next steps: Several approvals require follow‑up steps: negotiated contract language and final scopes for the marketing contracts, third‑party certification and potential financing decisions for capital projects referenced elsewhere on the agenda (see energy audit article), and routine contract processing. In several cases staff said they will work with the town’s financial adviser and the council’s finance committee before finalizing funding details.

Ending: Council members asked staff to bring final contract documents back for execution and to present additional detail where the awards or amendments touch the budget or require bonding.