Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Economic Development Food Security topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Town of Taos expected to take fiscal responsibility for Mobile Matanza assets; county staff to prepare transfer paperwork
Summary
Representatives from the Town of Taos, Taos County Economic Development Corporation and Taos County staff discussed transferring grant-funded assets for the Mobile Matanza project from the county to the town to streamline permitting and environmental-permit submission; staff said they had already begun preparing asset-transfer documentation.
Representatives from the Town of Taos and the Taos County Economic Development Corporation (TCDC) asked the county commission on Oct. 7 to consider transferring grant-funded assets for the Mobile Matanza project from Taos County to the Town of Taos so the town can submit an environmental permit and move the project forward.
Mayor Pascual Maestas, TCDC Executive Director Mercedes Rodriguez and TCDC board members described the project as critical for ranchers and the agricultural community. Rodriguez and other presenters said assets purchased with Food Security Act grant funds currently appear on the county’s books while the project sits on town-owned property; the mismatch complicates permitting and administrative processes.
Rodriguez and town representatives said consolidating the assets under one government—ideally the town, because the site is on town property—would streamline the environmental-permit application (staff said the environmental permit is drafted and ready for signature) and other next steps. Brent Jaramillo said he had already sent an email to county assets staff to begin preparing documentation to transfer grant-funded assets to the town.
Commissioners and town council members expressed support for the transfer as a way to reduce administrative friction. County staff identified state oversight requirements for transfers of property or equipment bought with grant funds: transfers of personal property above specified thresholds require review by the Department of Finance and Administration or the State Board of Finance and may require a resolution listing the equipment. County legal counsel clarified the assets are personal property—not real property—and that state approvals will be necessary.
There was no vote to transfer assets at the Oct. 7 meeting; staff said a future resolution and a detailed property-disposition schedule will be brought back for formal action and submission to state agencies.
