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Sandoval County presents plan to expand EMS staffing in northwest and fund new dispatch staffing
Summary
County fire/EMS leaders sought funding for new personnel to expand coverage in the Cuba region and for start-up costs at a consolidated dispatch center; presenters said new Medicaid reimbursement revenue and EMS billing will help offset recurring costs.
Sandoval County fire and emergency medical services officials presented a budget proposal to add personnel and infrastructure to expand day-to-day EMS coverage in the county’s northwest (including Cuba and surrounding villages) and to stand up a consolidated dispatch center.
County Fire/EMS leadership said the budget request focuses on hiring personnel for the Cuba region, adding equipment and a handful of support positions, and starting EMS billing operations for the area. Chief Masterson told the commission the long-term vision is five personnel on duty in the Cuba area so two apparatus and a supervisor would be available each shift, but the proposed FY26 budget funds a smaller initial step: 12 new positions (three daily crewmembers in the Cuba area plus three administrative/support roles). The department said those hires will be supported in part by a Medicaid reimbursement program estimated to yield about $1.2 million annually; staff said roughly $500,000 of the first tranche is expected immediately to begin building infrastructure and hiring.
Separately, county staff outlined a preliminary dispatch budget tied to a Joint Powers Agreement (JPA) among local jurisdictions. The draft dispatch plan includes hiring 19 dispatchers, four supervisors and two director-level staff, with an anticipated annual operating budget of about $2.406 million (the presenter described significant carryover and one-time transfer funds from the City of Rio Rancho affecting the first-year totals). Presenters said some initial costs will be carryover or grant funding from partner members; they emphasized the budget remains preliminary while governance and interlocal details are finalized.
Commissioners and staff discussed temporary housing for new crews, equipment build times for ambulances, volunteer capacity in the northwest, and the county’s plan to begin EMS billing for an existing provider (PMS) during the transition. Staff said Cuba EMS and PMS have asked the county to begin billing for services to help sustain operations during the handover. Questions also focused on how many positions represent long-term staffing (the presenters said 12 positions are proposed in the FY26 submission; 15 or 18 would represent later phases of the plan), timing for ambulance deliveries (two on an 18-month build timeline), and whether Medicaid funding is at risk from federal changes (presenters said consultants and Medicaid had indicated the funding stream is not expected to be curtailed for public-safety initiatives).
Presenters said they will return with more detailed funding agreements and an operational timeline as cooperative partners, the JPA membership, and state allotments are finalized. The commission did not take action at the hearing; staff framed the presentation as information to incorporate into the preliminary budget and future governance agreements.
