By Marty Mayfield
KRTN Multi-Media
Roadrunner Health Services, LLC, CEO David Montoya sent copies of contracts and costs sheets for the Vigil Maldonado Detention Center for the last three years to help clarify the cost accusations against former County Manager Mary Lou Kern.
What follows is Montoya’s email letter to KRTN Multi-Media.
This in response to both news stories, Behind the Story: A New Mexico county’s big tax mistake (posted May 10, 2022) and Colfax County investigating misuse of nearly $600K (posted September 28, 2022).
In response to Bob Barker’s investigative report, Mr. Barker’s investigation is accurate in many ways, however, it left out one fact and one question that should have been asked. These issues and concerns would put fair blame to all parties in Colfax County. When Mr. Barker was interviewing Bobbie Ledoux, County Commissioner, the question that should have also been asked to Mr. Ledoux was: Who was responsible for the final authority? During the interview, Mr. Ledoux was quick to point fingers at the former Colfax County Manager and the County Assessor, even though the department of taxation and revenue admitted the error was their fault, instead of taking responsibility for being the final approving authority. (Link to https://www.krqe.com/news/larry-barker/the-big-oops-tiny-government-mistake-costing-new-mexicans-1-million/)
Fact: Mr. Bobbie Ledoux, Incumbent County Commissioner is running against the former Colfax County Manager. Is this a fair bit of deception for the people of Colfax County?
In response to the story, Colfax County investigating misuse of nearly $600K:
The $577,407.10 amount reflects the total amount for the Colfax County Detention Center Medical Contractors cost for 2021. This so-called misuse of $600K was quoted, also, by the World Journal for Las Animas and Colfax County, on October 6, 2022, naming the medical contractors. We plan to pursue legal action in this matter. (Link to https://www.krqe.com/news/new-mexico/colfax-county-investigating-misuse-of-nearly-600k/)
The former Colfax County Manager gracefully continued to work with the medical contractors throughout the pandemic, prices, economic struggles, and the expansion of the Colfax County Detention Center, going from a 42-bed facility to an 84-bed facility.
Fact: When there is an expansion of business, there is also an expansion of cost.
Fact: The whole world was in critical and unpredictable economic times.
Fact: Medical costs were sky high, and the current 2021 Colfax County Detention Center Medical Contract Amendment had been increased to $550K per year, approved and signed by Mr. Bobbie Ledoux, refer to 2021 Colfax County Contract.
A breakdown for 2019/2020/2021 RHS Cost Audit expenses for Colfax County Detention Center, attached, also approved by former Colfax County Detention Center Warden and current County Manager, Monte Gore. Refer to attached 2021 medical contract that was also approved by Monte Gore and signed by Mr. Bobbie Ledoux. The former County Manager put it best, “I don’t think anybody knew or could plan for what we were faced when we were going through Covid in 2020 and 2021. Numbers fluctuated, care fluctuated, and obviously supplies, costs were exorbitantly higher than what was anticipated.” Refer to KRTN Radio 93.9 interview, Mary Lou Kern Interview 9/30/2022, YouTube. (Link to Video and Story http://krtnradio.com/2022/10/01/a-conversation-with-mary-lou-kern/)
Therefore, the accusations of the misuse of these nearly $600K is misleading the people of Colfax County. There has been mention of this misused money being used for personal use when in fact there has not been a single penny used for personal use.
Fact: The Colfax County Detention Center Medical contract was agreed on for $550K per year.
Fact: Taos and San Miguel Detention Centers, 84 & 85 bed capacity facilities, respectfully are approximately $150K more than Colfax County Detention Center for 2021 contracts. Throughout all this mudslinging, the former Colfax County Manager, Mary Lou Kern’s reputation has been stained to some people, however, others know better about Ms. Kern’s honesty. All Ms. Kern’s hard work has been put in the shadows of this dirty political agenda. Unfortunately, a good news station like KRQE Channel 13 has been steered for another person(s) political gain. on reporting this lopsided story. The people of Colfax County should not be deceived by another person’s personal agenda.
Posted below are copies of the Contracts and Costs Figures for residents to read for themselves.
RHS Cost Audit for Colfax County Detention Center (VMDC) – 2021
Colfax County Medical Contract 2021
