The majority of the governmental entities who utilize dispatch services locally have approved dissolving the existing intergovernmental agreement (IGA) for operation of the dispatch center and approved having the Archuleta County Sheriff’s Office (ACSO) operating the dispatch center.
The remaining entity, the Town of Pagosa Springs, is anticipated to consider the matter in December.
Archuleta County
During a regular meeting held by the Archuleta County Board of County Commissioners (BoCC) on Tuesday, Nov. 18, the BoCC unanimously approved Resolution 2025-66, terminating the first amended and restated IGA for consolidation of emergency communications.
The resolution was approved as part of the meeting’s consent agenda, with discussion on the matter taking place earlier in the day during a work session.
During the work session, Archuleta County Sheriff Mike Le Roux explained that the combined dispatch board has been working through a two-year long process for identifying how it would work for the ACSO to contract out dispatch services to other entities.
Le Roux noted the combined dispatch board approved a dispatch resolution for the ACSO to take on operational control of the dispatch center.
“With that, there was a transition phase in the plan for us to ultimately come out of the IGA for the combined dispatch,” Le Roux said.
He noted County Attorney Cathleen Giovannini has been working with the other user agencies to develop contracts for service.
The user agencies consist of the ACSO, Pagosa Springs Police Department (PSPD), Pagosa Fire Protection District (PFPD) and Pagosa Springs Medical Center (PSMC) Emergency Medical Services (EMS).
Le Roux noted the user agencies will opt into those contracts beginning January 2026.
“You’re not gonna see a change really in what we offer to anybody, other than better more efficient management of the operational day-to-day function,” he added.
Le Roux explained that the resolution being presented to the BoCC would get the county out of the current IGA, noting that PFPD had adopted its resolution as well.
“In summary, it’s a pretty simple resolution that just says that we’re dissolving our participation in the current IGA,” Le Roux said.
In response to a question from Commissioner Warren Brown, Le Roux indicated, “I don’t believe there’s any downside.”
Le Roux also indicated that the ACSO staff is “excited about it,” noting that he believes the other user agencies are in support as well.
He explained that the original IGA between the four user agencies that created the combined dispatch board was drafted in 2009, with the most recent amendments coming in 2020.
Le Roux noted that other agencies may also contract with the ACSO for dispatch service, noting that could include other state or federal entities.
Giovannini explained that upon termination of the IGA, each user agency’s portion of reserves will be returned to them.
She also mentioned that the ACSO is responsible for about 50 percent of that.
Commissioner Veronica Medina commented that the ACSO is the biggest user of dispatch services.
PFPD
During its Nov. 4 meeting, the PFPD Board of Directors unanimously approved Resolution 2025-04, dissolving the current dispatch IGA and authorizing Chief Robert Bertram to work on a new agreement with the ACSO for dispatch services.
Bertram noted that this has “been in the works for quite some time,” explaining that each user agency needed to approve a resolution with its respective board stating it would like to opt out of the IGA.
“Once that’s done then will go to more of an individual agreement with the sheriff’s department for dispatch,” he said.
He added, “The biggest reason for doing this is now we actually have oversight over dispatch.”
He explained the combined dispatch center faced troubles in the past of not being effective.
Bertram also explained that the PFPD’s budget for 2026 includes a projected cost for dispatch services, “which was actually, I think, about a $15,000 decrease.”
PSMC
At its Nov. 18 meeting, the Upper San Juan Health Service District Board of Directors, which oversees PSMC, the board considered Resolution 2025-18, giving authority to PSMC CEO Dr. Rhonda Webb to provide notice to terminate the existing IGA effective Dec. 31 and enter a new IGA with the ACSO for dispatch services beginning Jan. 1, 2026.
In an update, PSMC’s chief administrative officer and legal counsel, Ann Bruzzese, explained the results have been “excellent” with the ACSO managing dispatch.
Bruzzese explained that the dispatch management board opted to approve the expenditure of $460,000 from the dispatch fund balance for the purchase of new dispatch capital equipment.
She notes PSMC’s representatives abstained from that vote.
Following that amount being taken out, she noted there will be an estimated $660,000 to be divided out between the district, with each receiving its proportionate share — 50 percent for the county, 36 percent for the town, 9 percent for PSMC and 5 percent for the PFPD.
That will equate to about $60,000 for PSMC, she added.
She further explained that, moving forward, PSMC would purchase dispatch services like it purchases services from other vendors.
She noted the sheriff reported they cannot make the new dispatch setup work unless all the entities participate.
Bruzzese also commented multiple times a sales tax dedicated to 911 services could be helpful.
She noted she thinks “really good things” happened under the IGA, but that it became difficult to manage.
Board member Wayne Hooper then asked about the equipment purchase, with Jason Webb, EMS director, stating if the equipment weren’t purchased now they would need to provide for it in the future.
Hooper stated he thinks the dissolution is a good move, then added he doesn’t like dividing the money and that it could be kept as an emergency fund.
Bruzzese noted that PSMC will be charged for equipment in the future, then added that PSMC’s bottom line next year is $60,000, making it difficult to walk away from receiving another $60,000.
Jason Webb later added that part of the upgrade of the equipment will be moving to E911, which increases redundancy.
Hooper then thanked Jason Webb for his leadership and role on the dispatch board.
Board member Erik Foss asked if this is what Jason Webb feels like serves the department and team the best.
“I do,” he replied, adding this path is much better than the path they were on.
clayton@pagosasun.com
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