The week’s been busy, and your county has been even busier! From infrastructure upgrades to public-safety improvements, local teams have been hard at work to make daily life safer, cleaner, and more connected.

In this weekly edition, we highlight big strides across the board: the Detention Center streamlined its scheduling and water systems, Roads & Engineering tackled school-zone safety and post-storm cleanup, and Fire Rescue doubled down on promotions, training, and recruitment. Meanwhile, Utilities pushed forward on sewer expansion in Chaparral, Emergency Management sharpened disaster-readiness drills, and Community & Constituent Services kept resident concerns front and center. Let’s dive into what your local government accomplished this week.

Smarter Scheduling, Safer Facility

This past week, the Detention Center reached a major milestone by fully launching Workday’s Advanced Scheduling module. That means officers and staff can now manage shifts, assignments, and schedule changes with greater accuracy and less paperwork, all in real time. The new system helps reduce errors and improves coordination inside a high-security environment, keeping operations smooth and secure.

At the same time, the facility is preparing to activate its newly installed Acorn Water System. Once programming is complete, the system will deliver a more efficient and reliable water supply to every part of the center, improving both health standards and daily operations for staff and residents alike.

Paving the Way for Safer Travel

The Roads & Engineering team packed plenty into the past seven days as they tackled projects big and small to improve safety and accessibility across the county. One standout collaboration with the Gadsden School District brought new flashing school zone lights to Chimuri Street in La Mesa, making it safer for children walking to and from school. The team also refreshed critical signage, including speed limits, stop bars, and crosswalks at key intersections. In response to new state requirements, “Open Range” signs were installed on Holman Road to alert drivers to roaming livestock, helping reduce accidents.

After a local rancher reported sand accumulation from high winds, the team mobilized to clear over 800 tons of debris off two key county roads. And in Doña Ana, a series of potholes on Joel Gutiérrez Street were patched for a smoother, safer commute.

Fire Rescue

Training, Promotions & Community Protection

Doña Ana County Fire Rescue is leveling up in every direction this week. Twelve firefighter driver/operators were recently promoted after passing a competitive interview and evaluation process, ensuring our communities have more experienced hands behind the wheel when emergencies hit. The department also completed an intensive three-week Hazardous Materials Technician course, hosted in partnership with Doña Ana Community College (DACC) and NASA Fire Department. These efforts, alongside active recruitment for new firefighter/EMTs and Lieutenants, reflect our ongoing commitment to building a resilient and professional team.

The Fire Marshal’s Office took a proactive stance by securing a 30-day burn ban during peak drought risk, and teams in Santa Teresa completed thorough hydrant testing to ensure peak water pressure is ready at a moment’s notice. Department leadership also traveled to state and national conferences, bringing home fresh insights on inspections, prevention, and fire service funding.

Clean Water, Growing Infrastructure

The County Utilities Department continues its mission to modernize infrastructure and protect public health. Over 2.1 million gallons of wastewater were treated this past week alone, well within EPA standards and demonstrating our team’s commitment to safety and sustainability. More impressively, E. coli levels in treated water were just five percent of the allowable limit, showing exceptional efficiency.

On the development side, the sewer expansion for Chaparral Phase 2C is progressing steadily. An 8-inch main line now runs along Edna Drive, and workers are in the process of connecting homes before shifting to West Lisa Drive. This project will bring better sanitation, smoother service, and long-term environmental benefits to growing neighborhoods.

Ready for Anything

Preparedness is more than a motto, it’s a mission. This past week, Emergency Management welcomed Tim Heidrick as the new Emergency Coordinator, who has already jumped into developing new training programs and local partnerships. The department successfully delivered advanced Incident Command training to over 40 responders and hosted a hands-on railcar hazardous materials drill to prepare for rare but high-risk incidents.

In La Union, a tabletop exercise gave local leaders and service providers the chance to walk through emergency scenarios in a safe and structured setting, boosting coordination for future responses. To cap it all off, CPR and First Aid classes were offered to the public, giving everyday residents the chance to become lifesavers in their own homes and neighborhoods.

Your Voice, Our Priority

When residents have questions, concerns, or service needs, this team gets to work. Over the past week, Community and Constituent Services processed 18 public records requests and helped close out 69 individual service cases across the county, ranging from basic inquiries to complex community issues. The department is also strengthening local partnerships, including a scheduled meeting with La Union Helping Hands to address neighborhood-specific concerns in person. Whether online, over the phone, or face-to-face, the goal is always the same: making government easier to reach and quicker to respond.

Video Message from The County Manager