Taos council approves county funding addendum to Taos Main Street, funds destination stewardship coordinator

The Taos Town Council on Dec. 10 approved an addendum to the town’s professional services agreement with Taos Main Street that incorporates Taos County funding agreements and provides combined support for a destination stewardship network coordinator and related activities.

Charles Whitson and staff explained the county funding will flow to the town and then to Taos Main Street under an addendum. The package includes an unrestricted $50,000 county grant for Main Street, a restricted brick fund tranche, and combined support (town and county) intended to fund a destination stewardship network coordinator and first-year activities. Council members confirmed the county and town combined funding would amount to approximately $200,000 for the coordinator and launch activities and that the coordinator contract will be paid in monthly installments (split across fiscal years).

Councilors asked for clarification about scope and payment schedules and whether the funding would directly hire and pay the coordinator; staff said the addendum and job description released this week are intended to cover the network coordinator contract for a full year, with six installments in the current fiscal year and six in the next. One council member recused themself due to a personal conflict before the roll call vote.

The council approved the addendum by roll call. Manager Martinez and staff said they will invoice the county promptly so funds will be available in January. The amended agreement also includes specified uses restricted to destination stewardship network activities and BRIC/brick funding items.

What happens next: Town staff will execute the addendum, invoice the county, and begin contracting the network coordinator and first-year activities under the funding constraints described in the addendum.