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Commissioners told to appoint ambulance district board to meet DOLA compliance
Summary
At a Nov. 10 special meeting, Dolores County commissioners received an update from the Dunkirk ambulance district that DOLA advised appointing and readying a board for a likely May 2026 election to restore compliance; county staff will solicit letters of interest and consult attorneys on timing.
On Nov. 10, the Dolores County Board of County Commissioners heard an update from the Dunkirk ambulance district and were advised to appoint a governing board and prepare for an election to return the district to compliance with guidance from the state.
Shauna, speaking for the ambulance district during the "Update from DC Ambulance," said a DOLA representative recommended the county appoint a board of directors and then run nominations ahead of a potential May 2026 election. "And then that puts us back into duly appointed and duly elected board of directors, and we're back in compliance," Shauna said.
DOLA's guidance outlined an approach in which initial terms would be staggered — one- and three-year terms for the first set of directors — so the district could revert to a regular two- and four-year cycle thereafter. Commissioners repeatedly asked whether counsel had been contacted; speakers said Dakota would reach out to the county's attorneys and that the board expected email follow-up from counsel.
The board discussed the timing and noted the DOLA letter included a 30-day contact window. Commissioners agreed to contact DOLA and the SDA attorney to confirm whether a formal resolution was required within that period. Chair (speaker 2) said the board would solicit letters of interest from residents and consider appointment at either the Nov. 17 meeting or a special meeting on Nov. 24, depending on what DOLA and legal counsel recommend.
Commissioners also raised operational concerns, including whether appointed board members could continue to sign checks and keep services running while governance is corrected. Members were advised to check with the county attorney; speakers emphasized continuity of operations while legal questions are resolved.
Next steps: the county will contact the DOLA representative and its attorneys this week, open the appointment process to solicit letters of interest, and schedule a meeting to consider appointments once the timeline is clear.
