On Tuesday, March 18, the Archuleta County Board of County Commissioners (BoCC) approved an intergovernmental agreement (IGA) with the city of Durango for the county to house Durango municipal offenders at Archuleta County’s detention center.
Durango’s city council initially approved the IGA during a regular meeting on March 4, and the BoCC was briefed on the IGA by Archuleta County Sheriff Mike Le Roux during a work session held on March 6.
The matter was approved by the BoCC on March 18 as part of the meeting’s consent agenda.
Commissioner Veronica Medina recused herself from voting on the consent agenda due to a line item associated with the payable warrants and purchase cards from March 5 to March 18.
Medina indicated that the line item amount was for $8,934.50 which was an attorney fee for “an ethics complaint that has been brought against me.”
She added, “That is what the taxpayers are paying for.”
Later in the meeting, following an executive session in regard to a purchase and sale agreement for a piece of property, Medina offered additional comments related to the IGA.
Medina explained that due to recusing herself from voting on the consent agenda she was “thrown off” and did not offer comments on the matter at that time.
She then voiced her opposition to the IGA.
“I am not in favor of this IGA,” Medina said, explaining her reason is for the same concerns she brought up during the work session with Le Roux, which included concerns over additional cost associated with transportation and medical services.
Medina acknowledged the relationship between Archuleta County, La Plata County and Durango, noting “we have a great relationship,” but felt that Durango is choosing to not work with La Plata County.
“I don’t think this agreement is right for the constituents of La Plata county and Durango,” she said, adding that is not her call to make.
Medina also noted that the daily rate initially presented to the BoCC of $110 per day did not change, “and that’s disappointing.”
She highlighted sections of the agreement that involve meals and medical treatment, claiming the cost of meals may not be properly reflected in the IGA.
Medina went on to mention that she was unsure why the two-year agreement was for “such a long timeframe,” on something that can “easily” be resolved.
She also stated that she was hopeful Le Roux would’ve been in attendance at the meeting, but he was not.
Medina went on to claim that the $110 per day is likely not the final cost.
“I doubt that they’re going to be saving money,” she said, “there’s a lot of extra costs.”
Medina also commented that she was “disappointed” in herself for not offering comments on the matter earlier.
She then noted that in times when Archuleta County housed inmates in La Plata County, it did so because there was no other option, adding that Durango has options in this scenario.
“So, that’s the difference,” she said.
Commissioner Warren Brown explained his reasoning for supporting the IGA, noting that the Durango Police Department and La Plata County Sheriff’s Office have often helped and supplied various resources and services to Archuleta County when asked.
Brown added that he is “not aware of a single time they sent a bill asking for compensation” for those services or resources.
Brown went on to mention that “it’s our turn” to repay the “good deeds” given to Archuleta County by both of those agencies, “at a cost that is not going to break the bank.”
Brown also expressed that the IGA does not preclude Durango and La Plata County from working out an agreement amongst themselves, and this IGA will provide time needed for those agencies to address the matter.
Brown noted that he was appreciative of Medina’s comments, stating, “I empathize there,” though he believes this is an opportunity to be a good neighbor.
Commissioner John Ranson mentioned he was in favor of approving the IGA and he wished the BoCC could’ve voted on the matter separately, noting it would’ve been the first 2-1 vote for the current BoCC.
clayton@pagosasun.com
