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

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.