Doña Ana County’s IT operations manager outlined infrastructure work completed and planned this year: a countywide network refresh across roughly 60 locations (115 switches, 125 Wi‑Fi access points), upgraded internet connectivity at the Government Center, fiber construction in the northern county under the USDA ReConnect grant, and radio system work to move public safety to the state’s 800 MHz digital system.

Andres Martinez told the commission the Northern Fiber Project—completed this year with county‑owned strands—connects Placitas, Rincon, Radium Springs and Hatch community centers and provides conduit capacity for future provider service to roughly 1,600 homes in underserved areas. The county now owns 100 fiber strands and may lease capacity to an ISP to expand residential service; permits remain a hurdle before commercial service begins.

IT also upgraded the fairgrounds connection and added public Wi‑Fi coverage for vendors and visitors and is undertaking server and virtualization modernization, new storage and a plan to migrate email to a new county domain. Martinez said the county is coordinating with the New Mexico Department of Information Technology to migrate radios to the state system, which will reduce dead zones and improve interoperability for first responders.

Commissioners praised IT’s ransomware defenses, monthly employee cybersecurity training and the team’s responsiveness. County staff said further work depends on funding and grants and that a tower study and associated equipment migration are ongoing.