San Juan County approves road agreements, contract for public safety building remodel

by David Boyle
News Director
Members of the San Juan County Commission approved road agreements, equalization adjustments, and a notice of award to remodel of the public safety building at their latest meeting.
Members of the commission approved a notice of award and intent to contract for the San Juan Public Safety Building remodel at their September 3 meeting.
County Adminstrator Mack McDonald explained the county received five proposals for the project, with an evaluation committee reviewing responses and recommending SIRQ as the best entity to serve as the Construction Management/General Contractor Services for the San Juan Public Safety building remodel and expansion project.
The remodel project has been in discussion for the past few years.
In May, the county commission approved a lease revenue bond of $21.3 million for the remodel and expansion, with a two-percent interest on the lease.
With a favorable loan from the Community Impact Fund Board (CIB), the county believes they will be able to complete the work without needing to raise taxes.
The remodel will result in an additional 35 inmates to extend to 110 the number of inmates housed at the facility.
With contracts with the state expected to see an increase in the amount paid to house inmates, as well as an increase in pay for providing sex offender therapy for inmates in the building, estimates see revenue going anywhere from $130,000 to $150,000 a month for the county.
McDonald noted in the September meeting that the contractor plsns to keep the inmates in place during the remodel, but that may not be possible with all the work to be done.
McDonald also noted that SIRQ is not a self-performing contractor, meaning there will be opportunities for local contractors to participate in the remodel.
Commissioners were especially agreeable with the idea of using local contractors on the project, and approved the notice of award to SIRQ unanimously.
Members of the San Juan County Commission also approved two agreements for the county road department to service Bureau of Indian Affairs and Forest Service roads.
County Road Supervisor TJ Adair presented an updated cooperative agreement between the county and the BIA to pay for maintenance of BIA roads that serve as bus routes on the Navajo Nation.
The agreement includes back pay for maintenance the county has already done and should continue so the county can maintain those essential school routes.
The county also approved a modification in the grant received from the Forest Service for road work.
Adair explained the grant is doubled this year from $45,000 to $90,000 to go beyond maintenance on Forest Service roads to provide real repairs following flooding in the area, including adding culverts to some roads.
Commissioners approved both road department items unanimously.
Members of the San Juan County Commission also approved the appointment of Dr. Francesca Nichols to direct and supervise the medical acts of Emergency Medical Services (EMS). 
McDonald explained Dr. Nichols will act as the EMS service medical director as required by the state, with the Dr. receiving $6,000 annually for the service and reimbursement for travel and training each year.
McDonald noted that the compensation is a good rate for rural San Juan County and also notes Dr. Nichols background in the military and as an outdoors enthusiast and her previous work with EMS will be a great fit.
Members of the commission approved the appointment unanimously.
Members of the commission also approved an agreement that will allow San Juan County Attorney Mitch Maughan to use his county office supplies and equipment while also serving as the Monticello City Prosecutor.
The agreement will have the city pay the county $100 per month for rent and use of all electronic equipment, office supplies, and subscriptions as part of the attorney’s office.
Members of the commission also approved valuation adjustments while acting as the board of equalization.
A total of 63 parcels were adjusted, which netted $52,000 more collected in taxes for the county.
The adjustments are due to errors discovered by the county assessor’s office, as well as appeals from landowners including one landowner who notified the county that their house wasn’t on their bill.
Members of the commission approved the 63 corrections as presented.
Members of the commission also approved a memorandum of understanding with the state to provide Covid-19 rapid testing through July 2026.
The agreement is intended to prevent the spread of Covid-19 by providing rapid tests to community partners.
The data will also be helpful as the county and state tries to track the impacts of long-Covid on residents, with the disease now having an official diagnosis.
Members of the commission also approved a mid-year budget adjustment of positive note.
The budget adjustment included an increase in the general fund based on improvements that outperformed expectations for property taxes collected and grants that have been received.