San Juan County commissioners approve court renovation contract, planning contracts, EV grant application and a property acquisition

San Juan County commissioners on Oct. 21 voted to approve a series of administrative, procurement and planning actions, including awarding bid 252601 for renovation of the 11th Judicial District Court, authorizing the county manager to sign two planning contracts tied to a $78,000 New Mexico Finance Authority grant, approving an application for a New Mexico Department of Transportation electric vehicle (EV) infrastructure grant, and completing the purchase of 0.1 acres of land adjacent to County Road 3783.

Why it matters: the votes move forward capital work at the county courthouse, start multi-year planning updates that could shape housing and growth policy, and position the county to install commercial fast-charging infrastructure. The property purchase closes a previously identified encroachment matter.

The board unanimously approved awarding bid number 252601 to Winters Construction LLC of Farmington for the 11th Judicial District Court addition and renovation. Staff presented the low bid and recommended award; the total award amount stated in staff materials was $1,463,942.40, including New Mexico gross receipts tax. County staff told commissioners that the eleventh judicial court secured a grant for part of the project and had agreed to cover the bid amount over the county’s remaining budget and any forthcoming change orders.

The commission also authorized the county manager to execute two planning contracts: one to prepare an affordable housing plan and a second to update the county’s growth management plan (also called the comprehensive plan). Staff said San Juan County was awarded $78,000 from the New Mexico Finance Authority and must be under contract by January 2026 to move the grant forward. Staff said Architectural Research Consultants (ARC) — the vendor used previously for the county’s 2018 comprehensive-plan update — has agreed to perform both contracts and that the growth-management update will likely take 12–18 months with public and stakeholder engagement.

Commissioners voted to approve submittal of a New Mexico Department of Transportation FY2026 EV infrastructure grant application seeking $1,200,000 to purchase and install Level 3 commercial DC fast-charging equipment at two identified locations: the Aztec administration building parking lot and McGee Park. Staff noted the grant funds are restricted to electric-vehicle charging infrastructure and cannot be used for roads, recreation, or unrelated expenses.

During an executive (closed) session earlier in the meeting, staff briefed the board on a follow-up to a title issue. Commissioners then approved acquiring 0.1 acres adjacent to County Road 3783 in the Morningstar Towne Ranches subdivision. Staff reported that the property was appraised at $2,150 and that title, survey, appraisal and purchase documents were complete; the board approved acquisition by motion.

Other routine actions approved included adoption of the consent agenda and formal proclamation and resolution votes (see Votes at a glance below). No roll-call tallies were recorded in the public minutes; actions were adopted by voice vote with the board saying "all in favor, opposed hearing none."

Votes at a glance

- Approval of meeting agenda — Motion carried (voice vote). - Approval of consent agenda (five items including minutes and FY26 budget adjustment #4) — Motion carried (voice vote). - Proclamation: Declare November 9–15, 2025, National Nurse Practitioner Week in San Juan County — Motion carried (voice vote). Presenter: Megan Velasquez Baca, family nurse practitioner at Pinion Family Practice. - Resolution 25-2629: Support Operation Green Light for Veterans (designating Oct. 21–Nov. 11, 2025 for green-light observance) — Motion carried (voice vote). Presenter: Daniel Newman. - Award of bid 252601 (11th Judicial District Court addition/renovation) to Winters Construction LLC; award amount stated as $1,463,942.40 (includes New Mexico GRT) — Motion carried (voice vote). Staff said the eleventh judicial court will cover the overage beyond the county’s remaining budget. - Authorization for the county manager to execute two planning contracts (affordable housing plan and growth-management plan update) tied to a $78,000 New Mexico Finance Authority grant — Motion carried (voice vote). Vendor: Architectural Research Consultants (ARC). - Approval to submit application to NMDOT FY2026 EV infrastructure grant program seeking $1,200,000 for Level 3 DC fast chargers at two sites (Aztec administration parking lot; McGee Park) — Motion carried (voice vote). - Motion to enter executive session to discuss acquisition of real property adjacent to Road 3783 — Motion carried (voice vote); board returned to open session and approved acquisition of 0.1 acres adjacent to Rd 3783 in Morningstar Towne Ranches subdivision. Staff reported an appraisal value of $2,150.

What’s next: Staff will execute the construction contract and coordinate funding with the eleventh judicial court; the county manager may finalize planning contracts to begin the grant-funded planning work; staff will prepare and submit the NMDOT grant application; and the county will finalize the property purchase documents to transfer title.

Speakers quoted or recorded on these items included county staff presenters and commission members; the public record shows motions and approvals by voice vote without recorded roll-call tallies.