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Commission approves $12.5 million in voter‑approved bonds and two capital outlay grants
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Summary
The commission approved two general obligation bond ordinances that together authorize $12.5 million for an animal shelter and fire/communications projects, and approved two capital outlay grants totaling $388,140 for dispatch emergency power and a public works expansion.
County finance staff on Jan. 14 presented two general obligation bond ordinances tied to voter‑approved projects and recommended their adoption to the Sandoval County Board of County Commissioners.
Rob Burpo, appearing by Zoom, introduced the first ordinance authorizing $7,500,000 for the animal shelter as the final piece of the project’s financing. Burpo and staff outlined other funding sources for the project, including a legislative appropriation (about $4.7 million), county set‑aside funds of about $3 million and prior congressional and ARPA funds; the total project cost was described as approximately $18,500,000. The second ordinance would authorize $5,000,000 for fire projects, a Jemez area cell tower and emergency communications work in Placitas and Algodones.
Staff and counsel noted delaying part of the bond issuance saved interest costs; the county’s timing of bond sales saved taxpayers roughly $480,000 in combined interest compared with selling all bonds at once, staff said. The commission adopted each ordinance via voice vote.
On capital outlay, the commission approved capital outlay agreement 25J5990 in the amount of $150,000 for emergency power at the county dispatch center; county staff noted the award was one of 40 statewide grants under a new competitive governor’s program and that Sandoval County received two of the 40 awards. Diana Garcia, the county’s new grant writer, was recognized.
The commission also approved capital outlay agreement 25J5986 for $238,140 to complete electrical installation, access controls, furnishings and audiovisual equipment for the Public Works expansion project. Both capital outlay agreements passed on roll call votes.
Next steps: staff will proceed with contracting and procurement for awarded projects and return to the commission as required for contract approvals and construction matters.
