Board approves resolutions on prairie-dog protections, truth commission cooperation, uranium letter, EV charging funding and several contracts

The Santa Fe County Board of County Commissioners on May 12 approved a number of routine and substantive items, including conservation, intergovernmental cooperation, procurement and capital projects.

Key board actions approved by vote included:

- Prairie-dog protection resolution: Commissioners Hughes and Johnson introduced a resolution to incorporate prairie-dog conservation into land-development permitting; the board approved it.

- Resolution in support of a state truth commission: Commissioner Camilla Bustamante led a resolution affirming the county's commitment to cooperate with a state-level truth commission and produce requested records; the board approved unanimously.

- Letter to the U.S. Forest Service opposing exploratory uranium drilling in the Chama watershed: Chair Justin Green presented the requested letter and the board approved sending it and carbon-copying neighboring counties and the federal delegation.

- EV charging infrastructure budget increase: The board approved a $4,164,000 increase (federal/state funds; 0 cost to county) to advance EV charging infrastructure projects.

- Roadway improvements contract: Public Works received approval to contract GM Emulsion LLC for $1,346,327.88 for Bonanza Creek and Gold Mine Road improvements under the Infrastructure Maintenance Program.

- Strategic plan adoption: The board adopted the Santa Fe County strategic plan for fiscal year 2027 to be posted in the county strategic-planning dashboard.

Several other items on the consent agenda (resolutions and proclamations) were approved without discussion.