By Jesse Jones
With the county landfill set to close in 2036 and a new site underway, Sandoval County commissioners decided at the Jan. 29 meeting to issue separate requests for proposals (RFP) for management consultation and operations rather than bundling the contracts.
“I feel like I stumbled into a State Farm commercial for some reason,” Wayne Johnson, Sandoval County manager, said jokingly. “Are we gonna bundle it, or we’re not gonna bundle it?”
After a nearly 20-minute discussion on whether to bundle the RFP for management consultation with the current operational contract, the commissioners decided to issue two separate RFPs later this month.
One RFP will be for a three-year engineering contract with a one-year option, and the other will be for a one-year management contract with a two-year extension option.
“Why don’t we just let everybody take a shot at the apple so that we have a more expansive view of how they’re looking at us,” Sandoval County Chair Michael Meek said.
According to the commissioners’ discussion, commissioners Katherine Bruch and Joshua Jones sided with commissioner Jon Herr, agreeing that separating the RFPs would encourage more companies to bid, boost competition and potentially lead to more creative solutions in management and engineering.
“Let’s give this a shot with two and see what our respondents are,” Bruch said. “In hopes that we will get more options that we will be able to review and hopefully continue to improve our operations and our potential risk around the engineering side.”
Keeping the contracts separate would also allow the county to hire the best contractor for each need rather than relying on one vendor with limited expertise. Additionally, a separate management RFP would provide more agile, short-term contracts, allowing for flexibility in adjusting the scope or approach.
“There’s nothing guaranteed if we issued two RFPs that we would end up with two different vendors because we may only get one response to both of them,” Johnson said.
In addition to the landfill discussion, commissioners discussed the county’s emergency dispatch system, rural broadband expansion, and modernization of budgeting and HR systems. They also reappointed a planning and zoning commissioner and recognized MLK Day.
Dispatch center update
Sandoval County Fire and Rescue Chief Eric Masterson updated commissioners on the Public Safety Answering Point (PSAP) project, known as the Public Safety Emergency Communications Center of Sandoval County.
The project follows Rio Rancho’s decision to withdraw from the regional system, requiring the call center to move from the Rio Rancho Police Department to the Sandoval County government campus in Bernalillo.
Masterson presented the update alongside Larry McDonald, chief architect with Huitt-Zollars and Michael McGrady, principal and board chairman of MCM Consulting Group.
MCM Consulting Group, contracted to oversee the relocation, is working from a design by Huitt-Zollars.
According to McGrady, the clean room, designed to minimize dust and contaminants for the safe installation of sensitive 911 equipment, should be ready by March. The call center is expected to be completed by May, with installation and testing, including call-taking and dispatch simulations using fictitious calls, scheduled for that month. The new call center is scheduled to go live in July, as expected.
As for the staffing of the new call center, McGrady said it has an assistant director and operations manager in place.
The county announced Feb. 3, in a press release that will be hiring dispatchers and dispatch supervisors for the call center.
“We are on track to open July 1 and are now assembling our Dispatch Center team,” Masterson said in the press release. “This is a great opportunity for professionals seeking to continue or start a career in public safety.”
According to Masterson, the call center is the first large-scale dispatch center to be created in the state in over 20 years.
McGrady said staff training will begin in April and include classroom instruction, on-the-job training, stress management, CPR, agency familiarization, ride-along, state training and shadowing experienced dispatchers.
The project includes a GIS mapping effort to correct address errors, improve emergency response accuracy and support broadband expansion and next-gen 911 technology.
McGrady said they met with state and local GIS experts to address discrepancies that hinder response and will refine the data over the next six months.
For more information on career opportunities at the PSAP, visit Human Resources at sandovalcountynm.gov.
In other meeting news
The Sandoval County Commission approved a $99,999.60 contract with Huitt-Zollars and subcontractor MCM Consulting to conduct a broadband study and design a middle-mile network connectivity plan, according to Fire Chief Eric Masterson.
Masterson said the study is the first phase of an initiative funded by a $100,000 grant. It will assess broadband needs countywide, focusing on underserved areas like Jemez, the far northwest region, the I-25 corridor and areas near Rio Rancho Estates.
The county also plans to explore partnerships with pueblos and utilities to expand broadband access, Masterson said.
According to Huitt-Zollars’ proposal, the team will conduct a broadband needs assessment and develop a strategic plan. The project includes data collection, GIS mapping, engineering services and grant support.
The commissioners reappointed Keith Brown to Sandoval County’s Planning and Zoning Commission, representing District Two, after Jon Herr’s election to the County Commission created a vacancy. Brown previously served as chair of the commission.
The commission honored Martin Luther King Jr.’s legacy by proclaiming Jan. 20, 2025 as Martin Luther King Jr. Day.
Commissioner Jones also celebrated the work of the Rio Rancho NAACP chapter in Sandoval County. He recognized MLK’s mission of justice, equality and community empowerment. He introduced NAACP President Dr. Johnny McChriston and Treasurer Amina Everett, who shared personal reflections on the impact of MLK’s leadership.
“Sandoval County calls upon all residents to honor Dr King’s legacy through acts of service, reflection and unity and to continue working toward future, where justice inequality will prevail for all,” Jones said, reading from the proclamation.
Get involved
The next County Commission meeting is at 6 p.m. Feb. 12 at the Administrative Building Commission Chambers, 1500 Idalia Rd., Building D in Bernalillo.