Taos County Commission approves organizational appointments, resolutions, contract awards and an $800,000 courthouse change order
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Summary
At its Jan. 6 meeting the commission approved resolutions adopting Open Meetings Act procedures and meeting conduct rules, appointed members to several boards and commissions, awarded an ITB for NM 150 slip-lining to TJV LLC, authorized the county manager to sign the contract, approved consolidation forming Taos County Fire District 4, and approved an $800,000 change order for the historic courthouse project.
The Taos County Board of Commissioners conducted routine organizational business and approved multiple resolutions and contracts during its Jan. 6 meeting.
Organizational and procedural approvals: The commission approved Resolution 2026-1 adopting procedures under the New Mexico Open Meetings Act and Resolution 2026-2 adopting meeting conduct policies and procedures. The board also appointed members to boards including the Taos County Board of Adjustment (Resolution 2026-3) and the Taos County Planning Commission (Resolution 2026-4); planning director staff presented nominees and the commission voted to confirm appointments.
Procurement: Purchasing staff recommended awarding ITB 2026-5 (NM 150 slip-lining and culvert work) to TJV LLC as the lowest responsive bidder at $164,000 (before gross receipts tax). Staff recommended a 10% contingency (~$16,400). The commission moved to award the contract and later authorized the county manager to sign the final contract to allow work to begin before seasonal runoff could interfere.
Fire district consolidation: The commission approved Resolution 2026-6 to consolidate the Carson, Ojo Caliente and Tres Piedras volunteer fire districts into a single district to be named Taos County Fire District 4; presenters said consolidation should improve staffing, unify ISO approaches and enable consolidated EMS funding applications.
Historic courthouse change order: Staff described an $800,000 change order to restore removed scope to the historic county courthouse project, funded in part by new state grant dollars and county reserves. Speakers described the change order as addressing unexpected historic-damage repairs and restoring exterior stucco, sidewalks and other scope removed earlier because of cost overruns.
County manager's report and next steps: County Manager Jaramillo reported 57 vacant positions (19% vacancy rate), progress on the Sheriff's Office renovation and certificate of occupancy for the Detox Building. The manager said the Detox lease would be on a future agenda and that staff would follow up on Dream Tree's request. Several consent-agenda and procedural items were approved by roll-call votes during the meeting.
The commission recessed for an executive session later in the agenda and returned to open session to vote on a matter discussed in closed session as reflected in the minutes.
