The Archuleta County Board of County Commissioners heard from County Manager Longinos Gonzalez during a work session on Tuesday, Sept. 15, about the possibility of having a cost study conducted for the county’s administration building options.
Gonzalez explained that various questions have come up over the past several months about potential ideas and options for a county administration building.
He noted the county recently received a feasibility report from a company called Performance Services for the potential cost of constructing a new administration building on county-owned property, and that the report was “very well done, but also provided broad cost range.”
Gonzalez also noted that another option to purchase space in the Country Center Drive shopping center was brought forward, but not all aspects of that building could be inspected at the time, noting the county had a “broad range” of cost estimated for that option, as well.
Gonzalez explained that a more detailed engineering cost study for both of those options, or just one option, “would cost money,” noting that could range anywhere from $50,000 to $100,000 to have both options looked at.
Gonzalez clarified that moving forward with the engineering cost study doesn’t mean the county would necessarily be moving forward with either option, but could provide additional information for the BoCC to make a future determination or final decision for the administration building.
Gonzalez explained that he was asking if staff should continue to look into the feasibility of having an engineering study done.
Commissioner Warren Brown commented first, stating that it has been an ongoing discussion, referencing a BoCC work session item from 2006 in regard to site selection of a new county facility.
Brown explained that he had spoken with Reynolds Ash + Associates about having a “side-by-side comparison” of the existing building remodel option presented by Commissioner John Ranson and the new-build option that would happen at the Cornerstone Drive property purchased by the county in 2025.
“There was a community outcry that we didn’t want to spend any money,” Brown said in regard to building a new administration building.
He added that “we just wanted it to be ‘no,’” but that, “doesn’t make the need go away.”
Brown also commented that the county tried the “free route” with a feasibility study from Performance Services, stating that was “essentially the same information … that we had received from Reynolds Ash a few years ago.”
Brown stated that the Performance Services’ feasibility study did not contain any new information and it “didn’t help us make a decision or advance any further.”
He went on to explain that the existing remodel option would require more mechanical, electrical and plumbing work compared to the new-build option, which would require more architecture and land planning work.
He noted that both proposals from Reynolds Ash would come with a cost estimate, including the “purchase price” for both potential projects.
“At least we’re going to have the information before us that allows us to have a data-based discussion,” Brown said.
Ranson commented that Brad Ash from Reynolds Ash is his first choice, commenting that he “knows a lot more than the free consultant that we’re with.”
Ranson expressed indifference about having an engineering cost study performed for the existing remodel option for the Country Center Drive property, stating that he was unsure if the deal was still on the table or not.
Ranson also indicated that if the other commissioners wanted to do an engineering cost study on the new-build option, he would vote against it.
“I will tell you I’m a ‘no’ vote on it when it comes up,” he said, explaining that part of his campaign was telling constituents that he would not support a certificate of participation (COP) bond for more than $10 million.
Ranson then encouraged the BoCC to “get the commissioner-elect involved in this conversation, as well,” referencing Randy Betts.
Ranson added that he would be “all for” the Country Center Drive property if that comes back around in January 2027.
“If we can’t finance it, I’m not interested,” Ranson said, noting that there was another route for the county to pursue and, “We’d be debt free on it in three years.”
“It’s been interesting, this whole conversation,” Commissioner Veronica Medina commented, recalling a meeting in which Archuleta School District representatives approached the BoCC about its plans to build a new school and if the county would be interested in purchasing its old buildings “at zero dollars.”
Medina noted that there would be “obvious” remodel costs associated with the old school buildings, but “nobody wanted anything to do with it.”
She also noted that she’s not a “huge fan” of remodel options, but that the old school buildings would allow the county to keep its services downtown.
Medina posed the question of why the county did not think about considering working with the school district if it was looking to save money and “keep a promise to people.”
“Even though we’ve talked at length about a new building, we’ve had many discussions with the public,” she added.
Medina also commented on the current condition of the real estate market, suggesting that it’s currently “very slow, and these types of properties don’t move very fast,” referencing the approximately 5.5-acre parcel on Cornerstone Drive the county purchased in 2025 for about $2.5 million.
Medina closed out her comments stating that the economy changes over time and there might be more changes in January 2027, “and there will probably be a different conversation then, but right now I’m here and right now I have a vote, and right now I would definitely support giving direction to staff to do some type of engineering.”
She noted the study would provide the county with more detailed estimates on final costs and timelines, “so we can move forward.”
Medina stressed that the county needs to take some sort of action and that “enough talk is enough talk.”
Brown offered a few more comments on the matter, stating the discussion has been going on for years, “but this is a big decision and it’s impactful.”
Brown added that the “hope” is to make the “right decision.”
He also mentioned that “we need to put this to bed,” whether the BoCC makes a final decision on a permanent administration building option or if it will be an issue for a future BoCC to consider.
Brown indicated that the general consensus from the BoCC is for staff to continue moving forward with having an engineering cost study conducted for at least the new-build option.
clayton@pagosasun.com
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