Sandoval County Approves Agreement With Bernalillo To House Juveniles

Sandoval County commissioners on Nov. 12 authorized the county manager to enter an intergovernmental service agreement with Bernalillo County for juvenile placements at the regional juvenile secure care facility, known as YSC. County staff framed the action as a cost containment measure that also secures a set number of bed days for Sandoval youth who require secure care.

The agreement replaces a previous joint participation arrangement that county staff said had operational issues. The new IGSA clarifies responsibilities for transporting juveniles and sets out other operational details that officials expect will smooth day to day coordination between the two counties. County staff indicated the change is expected to reduce Sandoval County annual contributions while guaranteeing access to beds at YSC, a combination presented by staff as both a fiscal and operational improvement.

The authorization gives the county manager authority to finalize terms with Bernalillo County based on the framework presented at the meeting. The record and video of the meeting as summarized by CitizenPortal.ai state the move was presented primarily as a cost containment and bed guarantee measure for juvenile placements. The commission action does not itself publish the full terms of the agreement, leaving specific financial and logistical provisions to the finalized IGSA.

For Sandoval County residents the agreement carries several practical implications. A lower county contribution could relieve pressure on local budgets and free funds for other county services. A guaranteed number of beds at YSC reduces the risk that Sandoval youth will face placement delays or be sent to more distant facilities, a factor that affects families, case management continuity, and the county cost of out of county placements. Clarified transport responsibilities also matter for punctual access to court dates and for determining which agency bears related personnel and vehicle costs.

The decision reflects a broader trend of regional cooperation on juvenile services in New Mexico as counties try to balance limited bed capacity with fiscal constraints. How the new IGSA performs in practice will depend on the specific terms that the county manager signs, the operational coordination between county agencies, and any future changes in demand for secure placements. Residents and local stakeholders seeking more detail can review the county commission meeting video and record, which provided the basis for the staff presentation summarized by CitizenPortal.ai.