Alamosa County commissioners approve refinancing engagement, grant applications and RETAC appointments

The Alamosa County Board of Commissioners on June 24 approved a package of routine and targeted actions including a financing engagement, several grant moves and two appointments.

The board unanimously approved an engagement agreement with Stifel for underwriting services to explore refinancing the county’s Certificates of Participation. County Attorney Jason Kelly said he reviewed the agreement and "does not see any issues with the agreement," and commissioners voted to authorize the engagement.

Commissioner Lori Laske said the board also pulled and discussed an opioid prevention letter of support to clarify the county’s role. "It is really not Alamosa County, but many of the partners that are applying for the grant that are in Alamosa County," Laske said, noting the letter is intended to support Rio Grande County’s application for a HRSA grant and is not a replacement for opioid settlement funds. The board approved the Letter of Support to Rio Grande County unanimously.

Treasurer Amy McKinley briefed commissioners on Senate Bill 26 144, a treasurer deed clean-up bill that took effect June 1 and alters timelines and some processes for treasurer deeds. McKinley said staff have coordinated with Pueblo County and are preparing a regional training set for July 13 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.; the board approved her request to close the Treasurer’s Office during that time so staff can attend.

Reyna Martinez-Ramirez presented the county’s application to seek a $250,000 Peace Officer Mental Health grant intended to fund counseling, therapy, training and peer-support programs for first responders and their immediate families. Martinez-Ramirez listed mutual-aid partner agencies and said Alamosa County has received the grant since 2020. The board voted unanimously to approve submitting the application.

In appointments, the board interviewed two candidates for two openings on the Regional Emergency Trauma Advisory Council (RETAC) and appointed Julie Ramstetter by unanimous vote. Commissioners then moved to appoint Commissioner Arlan Van Ry to the RETAC seat; that motion passed 2–1, with Van Ry recorded as abstaining on his own appointment.

Votes at a glance - Motion to approve agenda as amended (add Stifel underwriter engagement; add Treasurer request): Laske/Van Ry — passed unanimously. - Approval of June 10 regular and public hearing minutes: Van Ry/Laske — passed unanimously. - Approval of bills and obligations (checks detailed in minutes): Laske/Van Ry — passed unanimously; separate approval for Blue2Blue check passed 2–1 (Van Ry abstained). - Resolution 2026 G-7 (transfer Parcel #541309204001 to City of Alamosa, updated legal description): Laske/Van Ry — passed unanimously. - Approval of Stifel Underwriter Engagement Agreement: Laske/Van Ry — passed unanimously. - Letter of Support for HRSA opioid grant with Rio Grande County: Laske/Van Ry — passed unanimously. - Treasurer’s Office closure for July 13 training (11 a.m.–2 p.m.): Laske/Van Ry — passed unanimously. - Approval to apply for Peace Officer Mental Health Grant ($250,000): Van Ry/Laske — passed unanimously. - Appointment of Julie Ramstetter to RETAC: Laske/Van Ry — passed unanimously. - Appointment of Arlan Van Ry to RETAC: Laske/Van Ry — passed 2–1 (Van Ry abstained).

Background and next steps The Stifel engagement authorizes county staff to pursue underwriting options to refinance Certificates of Participation; any specific refinancing transaction would return to the board for approval. The Peace Officer Mental Health grant, if awarded, is structured to cover counseling, therapy, training and peer-support programs. The minutes note that an audio recording of the meeting is available from the Deputy Clerk for anyone seeking verbatim statements.

The board adjourned with no further business.