Bernalillo approves MRCOG fiscal-agent MOUs for $551,723 police equipment and $1.5 million fire station appropriation

The Town of Bernalillo on Oct. 9 authorized two memoranda of understanding with the Mid-Region Council of Governments (MRCOG) to act as fiscal agent for state capital-outlay appropriations.

Finance Director Terri Gray said the MOUs satisfy requirements in Executive Order 2013-006 for projects where a grantee's audit status requires a fiscal agent. The first MOU covers Project #23-H3153 — a $551,723 appropriation for purchase and equipment of law-enforcement vehicles and related equipment, including tasers. The second covers Project #23-H3152 — a $1.5 million appropriation to plan, design and construct a fire station. Gray told the council MRCOG will provide procurement oversight, contract administration and disbursement review; MRCOG's administrative fee is 2.5 percent of each appropriation and will be paid from the town's General Fund rather than the appropriation itself.

Gray summarized the town's responsibilities under the MOUs, including procurement administration, invoicing and reporting to the Department of Finance and Administration. Councilor Prairie moved to approve the MRCOG MOUs for 23-H3153 and 23-H3152; Councilor Montoya seconded and the council voted unanimously.

Why it matters: these MOUs enable the town to receive and manage significant capital-outlay appropriations while shifting fiscal-agent and procurement administration to MRCOG. The agreements require the town to pay a modest administrative fee to MRCOG and to continue to meet all reporting and procurement obligations.

The council did not debate alternative fiscal agents and did not discuss construction timelines for the fire station at the Oct. 9 meeting.