Sandoval County commissioners approve contracts, appointments and AFSCME agreement; authorize $700,000 dispatch phone purchase

The Sandoval County Board of County Commissioners approved a package of appointments, contract awards and county business at its April meeting, including reappointments to the planning commission, a negotiated collective bargaining agreement and a $700,000 purchase of phone lines and equipment for the county’s new dispatch center.

Why it matters: The actions authorize work the county says it needs to finish capital projects and to staff and operate the new joint Public Safety Emergency Communications Center. The phone-equipment purchase is sizable and the county manager reported the New Mexico Department of Finance and Administration (DFA) will reimburse the expense.

The board took the following formal actions (roll-call recorded by the deputy clerk; all motions passed):

- Appointments and reappointments: The board approved Commissioner Joshua Jones’s appointment of Amina Everett to the county ethics board (appointment); reappointed Sue Harrelson, Mr. Trujillo, Mr. Conrad and Mr. Brown to the Sandoval County Planning and Zoning/Planning Commissions (reappointments). The motions carried with all commissioners present voting yes, as recorded on the meeting record.

- Surplus resolution: The board approved Resolution No. 4-23-25.11 declaring listed vehicles and equipment surplus and authorizing staff to dispose of them (resolution adopted unanimously).

- Contract awards for landfill work: The board authorized award of a contract to Park Hill for landfill engineering services and separately awarded a contract to Sutter Miller & Associates for a landfill operation evaluation and plan. Both awards were contingent on successful negotiation by the county manager and authorized the manager to approve subsequent amendments (contract_award; both approved).

- Collective bargaining agreement: The board approved a negotiated collective bargaining agreement between Sandoval County and the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME). The motion passed by roll call (contract_award / labor agreement approved).

- Purchase for dispatch center: The board authorized purchase of phone lines, phone systems and associated equipment for the new dispatch center and delegated signature authority to the county manager; the manager said DFA confirmed it will reimburse the approximately $700,000 cost, and staff were authorized to issue a purchase order to proceed (purchase; approved).

- Consent agenda and other routine items: The board approved the consent agenda and a series of reappointments and routine items by recorded vote.

What commissioners said: County staff told the board the two landfill-related awards are conditioned on negotiated agreements and that the phone purchase is large but DFA has agreed to cover the cost; the county manager and deputies answered commissioners’ questions about timing and delivery. Commissioner Joshua Jones and others made the appointments and moved the related motions; the deputy clerk recorded the unanimous yes votes.

Next steps: Staff will finalize negotiated contracts, process required memoranda of understanding with library and other recipients where noted, and proceed with procurement and purchase orders under the delegated signature authority.

Votes at a glance (selected items): appointment of A. Everett (approved); reappointments to Planning & Zoning (Harrelson, Trujillo, Conrad, Brown) (approved); Resolution 4-23-25.11 (surplus) (approved); Park Hill — landfill engineering (award, contingent) (approved); Sutter Miller & Associates — landfill operations evaluation (award, contingent) (approved); AFSCME collective bargaining agreement (approved); Dispatch center phone systems and equipment, ~$700,000 (approved; DFA to reimburse).