By Kevin Hendricks
Public Works was in the spotlight at the Feb. 12 Sandoval County Commission meeting as the department provided an update on the status of over $72 million in construction projects across the county.
Charles Martinez, the Special Construction and Special Projects Manager for Sandoval County, presented an overview of the various facility projects at the meeting.
Martinez highlighted the county’s “plan, design, construct” process for managing these projects.
“These projects wouldn’t happen if we didn’t have the support of the commission and the support of the administration,” Martinez said. “Part of that support is the funding of people. You know, people are a huge part of these projects. Planning these projects out is crucial. We’re really trying to implement a plan, design, and construct process versus just getting a lump of money and asking us to build something.”
The projects include the new Animal Resource Center, the Cuba County Fairgrounds, upgrades to the commission chambers and the expansion of the judicial complex. Martinez walked through the progress on each, noting which were in the planning, design or construction phases.
The $10 million Animal Resource Center is nearing construction, with site development work underway. Site construction is expected to be completed by the summer, and facility construction is planned to wrap up in the Fall of 2026.
Renovations and additions to the Cuba Fairgrounds include $90,000 for an exhibit hall and $38,000 for the Master Plan with a 205-acre addition. It is in the early planning stages as the county seeks to acquire additional land.
Design work is progressing on the $45 million judicial complex expansion, adding new space and renovating existing areas.
The $1.4 million Public Works Administration building expansion is close to completion.
In other business…
Several issues were raised during public comment, including the ill-fated and controversial public records bill (House Bill 139) drafted by Sandoval County Attorney Michael Eshelman and introduced by Rep. Kathleen Cates. Cates has since said she will not pursue the bill, which would have added restrictions to the state’s public records law and drew plenty of negative feedback.
“This garbage piece of legislation is anti-democratic,” Sandoval County resident Ramona Goolsby said. “If this piece of condemnable legislation was encouraged by this commission, shame on you.”
The commission unanimously approved an agreement with the New Mexico Department of Transportation for $1.8 million in funding for planning, designing and construction on Paseo del Volcan from Unser Blvd. to Rainbow Road. Another agreement for $775,000 was approved with the state’s Department of Finance and Administration for park facilities improvements.
Get involved
The next Sandoval County Commission meeting is at 6 p.m. Feb. 26 at the Administrative Building Commission Chambers, 1500 Idalia Rd., Building D in Bernalillo.