Taos County approves grader lease extension, canopy construction contract, vehicle purchase and audit award

Taos County commissioners approved several procurement and contract actions at the April 21 meeting intended to keep core services operating and to advance a long‑pending capital project.

Public Works requested a short monthly lease extension with Caterpillar Financial to keep four graders in service until replacements (expected by July) arrive; commissioners approved the extension to preserve budget timing and warranty coverage. Finance and procurement staff explained leasing avoids large single‑year capital outlays and keeps maintenance covered under the lease.

The commission also approved contract TCC‑2026‑16 with R&M Construction to install an approximately 75‑by‑98 foot metal canopy at the Juan I. Gonzalez Agricultural Center, to be paid from lodgers‑tax funds. Commissioners discussed timing risks (county fair season, monsoon delays) and the 200‑day contract timeline but ultimately approved the contract with the expectation that the notice‑to‑proceed could be scheduled to manage fair operations.

The board approved a $60,915 purchase of a 2026 Ford F‑150 XLT crew‑cab 4x4 command unit for the Hondo Volunteer Fire Department under the state price agreement; procurement staff noted purchases over $60,000 require commission approval. Commissioners also approved staff’s recommendation to award audit services under RFP 2026‑5 to TKM LLC to meet a statutory contract deadline imposed by the state auditor’s office.

Each of these items passed by unanimous vote; staff will finalize contracts, process purchase orders, and issue notices to proceed as scheduling and fiscal year encumbrances require.