CREEDE—Mineral County Commissioners opened their mid-month meeting on July 18 to discuss a contract between Mineral and Archuleta counties in regards to law enforcement and emergency services. County Administrator Janelle Kukuk explained that Sheriff Fred Hosselkus had been talking with Archuleta County officials for several weeks to try and reach an agreement that allows both parties to respond to corresponding emergency situations that may require both counties to respond.
In the proposed agreement it states, “The Archuleta County Sheriff’s Office (ACSO) will provide emergency law enforcement and other emergency services to Mineral County as set forth in the agreement. Law enforcement personnel and EMTs providing such services shall be state certified.” The agreement came about due to circumstances where Archuleta County may have a faster response time than Mineral County emergency services because locations of certain events.
Mineral County stops just outside of South Fork town limits and begins again on Highway 160 leading up Wolf Creek Pass. Archuleta County picks up just on the other side of the pass and should an incident occur may be the faster emergency response team that could answer to an emergency situation. The agreement continues to state that, “The parties agree that an “emergency service,” solely for the purpose of this agreement, will be defined as any health, safety or life threatening situation that requires an immediate response by law enforcement, search and rescue, medical, firefighting or any other emergency personnel.”
Commissioners agreed that the emergency services agreement between the counties was long past due and that a similar agreement should be made between Mineral County and Rio Grande as well as Hinsdale County. “I think that this is a good agreement to have in place and it serves as a good guideline for us to involve both Rio Grande County and Hinsdale,” said Commissioner Jesse Albright. Albright continued by stating that he would look into creating a similar document to present to the other two counties.
In the agreement, the document specifically outlines the portion of Mineral County that Archuleta County will be responsible for which was designated as the southwest corner of Wolf Creek Pass and the Continental Divide. The document continues, “The parties agree that Archuleta County will notify Mineral County immediately of any emergency in the above described portion of Mineral County.”
Kukuk also stated that the portion of the document specifying any emergency service expenses must pass through the board for approval. The agreement states, “The parties agree that the Mineral County Sheriff, a member of the county commissioners or the Mineral County Administrator must approve any emergency service expense that initially exceeds $1,000.”
“I appreciate the fact that it includes a section that says they have to have our permission if expenses exceed a certain amount,” said Kukuk. Commissioners agreed and asked Commissioner Albright to continue forward with work to create an agreement with Rio Grande County and Hinsdale.
Commissioners reviewed the document and made a motion to sign the agreement as presented. The vote passed unanimously.