Los Lunas approves updated detainee‑housing agreement with Valencia County, daily rate rises to $200

The Village of Los Lunas Board of Trustees on July 9 approved an updated agreement with Valencia County to provide housing and care for municipal detainees, increasing the daily per‑detainee rate from $120 to $200.

Village Administrator Gregory Martin presented the revised agreement and said the most significant change was the rate increase, along with clarified alternate‑housing language, updated medical care provisions, and a liability section referencing the New Mexico Civil Rights Act. Martin told the Council the projected annual budget impact of the rate increase is approximately $50,000, calculated by applying the new rate to the Village’s detention costs from the prior fiscal year, and said sufficient funding has been budgeted for the service.

Councilors discussed limits on future rate increases, confirming that any county‑initiated rate change would require County approval and be returned to the Village Council for consideration. The agreement also includes provisions that require Village approval for certain medical expenses exceeding an established threshold.

Councilor Gino Romero moved to remove the item from the table; Councilor Matthew Chavez seconded and the motion to remove passed 4–0. Council then voted to approve the agreement (moved by Romero, seconded by Runyon); the approval vote was recorded as four in favor and none opposed.

The approval finalizes the Village’s updated intergovernmental arrangement with Valencia County for detainee housing; the agreement updates operational and liability language and raises the daily detention rate to the newly negotiated $200 figure.