Edgewood and Santa Fe County officials say they are close to reaching a deal to retain emergency services (EMS) and fire services for thousands of residents in the town’s Santa Fe County area. Officials reached a near-deal after weeks of mounting tension, packed public meetings, and fears over emergency response times.
Leaders from both governments announced Tuesday they had reached a “principles of agreement” on a new joint powers arrangement that allows Santa Fe County firefighters and EMS crews to continue responding to emergency calls in Edgewood. This fast-growing town stretches across four counties east of Albuquerque.
The tentative framework eases tensions from the prolonged tension that threatened to cut county emergency coverage by June.
Money lies at the core of the conflict. County officials argued that Edgewood no longer paid its share for fire and EMS services under a 20-year-old agreement. Town leaders countered, however, that the county was charging too much. The dispute escalated into litigation over unpaid balances, eventually leading to the scheduled termination of the existing arrangement.
But the possibility of losing fire and EMS triggered fierce backlash from residents. Many of these residents packed recent public meetings. They warned that the breakdown in negotiations could endanger lives and drive up homeowners’ insurance costs.
“I’m afraid for response times, for fires and for ambulances,” resident Jean DeMarte told town officials during one meeting. “To stop paying them, I mean, that’s just plain old stupid.”
Under the proposed agreement, Edgewood would maintain the payment system in place since 2005. It would repay the county through revenues aligned with excise taxes and development charges paid by residents in unincorporated county areas. Edgewood paid the county about $660,000 for coverage in 2023.
The new framework would also establish an automatic payment scheme to prevent future disputes. Under the proposed agreement, the town would transfer payments immediately after receiving state gross receipts tax revenues. Both sides could terminate the agreement, but only with a five-year notice.
“This new agreement lays the groundwork to ensure continued services while also recognizing community preferences and supporting the Town’s long-range planning needs,” Edgewood Mayor Mike Rariden said in a statement. Days before this, Rariden announced he will retire as mayor and District 5 commissioner during the week of May 4–8, 2026, following the final implementation of the Fire/EMS Joint Powers Agreement.
Santa Fe County Manager Gregory Shaffer said the proposed framework is fair and sustainable. He said the agreement would ensure residents and visitors continue to receive “first-rate fire and EMS services” from county personnel.
The proposed agreement also points to an enduring transition in how Edgewood handles emergency services. Under the proposal, the county would help the town in studying whether Edgewood should have a municipal fire service over time. If approved by the state fire marshal, the county could also provide surplus firefighting equipment to help the town have its own fleet.
Edgewood would pay an estimated $2.27 million over time for technical consultation, support services, and equipment. It will start with a $50,000 down payment, then monthly installments over 18 years.
Town commissioners will hear public feedback and consider action during a special meeting. Residents who feared losing their emergency safety net have won at least a reprieve for now.