Saguache County commissioners spent the bulk of a June 16 work session refining a request for proposals to build two passive solar workforce housing units at Casita Park, wrestling over bathroom configurations, solar installation costs and bid format requirements.
Project coordinator Tim Renien and architect Cillian Liam Barrett of Hearth Design Build guided commissioners through the updated RFP. The board settled on retaining two full bathrooms after Barrett estimated that dropping to one-and-a-half baths would save only roughly $2,000 — too little to justify reducing the homes’ appeal to potential buyers.
The solar question generated the most sustained discussion. Barrett argued that workforce homebuyers who can barely afford a house rarely add solar systems later, and advocated for installing panels upfront. Renien countered that adding solar pushes construction costs above the income thresholds lenders use to qualify buyers for mortgages, making the homes harder to sell. The board reached a middle ground: the RFP will require contractors to submit separate bids with and without installed solar panels, keeping the option open while preserving affordability. Commissioner Tom McCracken suggested the county’s existing renewable energy sales tax revenue could potentially subsidize solar installation on the finished homes.
The board also confirmed the homes will include EV-ready electrical panels with a dedicated circuit and raceway — a requirement under Proposition 123 affordable housing funding — and agreed to build to 2018 International Residential Code standards.
On bid format, Barrett and Commissioner Liza Marron pushed for a detailed line-item spreadsheet requiring contractors to break out costs for each trade category rather than submit a single lump sum. County Attorney G. Brad Crowell and Renien agreed to integrate that structure into the final document.
The board set a revised RFP timeline: publication June 24, bids due July 17, contractor selection July 21. The RFP was expected to receive formal approval during a special meeting held the same afternoon.
Earlier in the day, Road and Bridge Supervisor Elvie Samora also brought forward a road base installation request from Erik Sleeuwenhoek for board consideration during the special meeting.
Support Independent Local Journalism — High Country Advocate was created as a real alternative to regional media that too often silences dissenting voices while taking sides in the political struggle. Producing in-depth, unflinching reporting like this series and others is expensive: servers, editing, research time, and legal review all add up quickly. If these articles have informed you or given you new perspective, please consider supporting HCA with a paid subscription — every subscriber helps keep this reporting strong and independent. 