Discussion over a new building for the 911 call center turned contentious during Thursday's joint session.

Las Cruces city councilors and Dona Ana County commissioners are going over plans for a new building for the Mesilla Valley Regional Dispatch Authority because the current building, on West Lohman Avenue, is falling apart.

Some city councilors said they want more input and feel the county is leaving them out of the decision-making.

"It feels like we're not working together," city Councilor Sharon Thomas, District 6, said. "The people who lobbied were the councilors."

"It's good to have consultants, but if that were the case, we'd all be replaced by consultants," Mayor Ken Miyagishima said. "We need to move, and we need to move fast."

Some county commissioners argued it was best to leave the decision up to the hired consultants.

"I think the politicians should stay out of it," Dona Ana County Commissioner Dolores Saldana-Caviness, District 2, said.

"The decision should be made by an expert, not a politician," Dona Ana County Commissioner Scott Krahling, District 4, said.

"The actual grant from the legislature was awarded to the county," Commission Chairwoman Karen Perez said.

There are five possible locations for the new building, including one at the corner of Lohman Avenue and Sonoma Ranch Boulevard.

The MVRDA board will select a consultant who will decide on the best location.

"We're moving along in the direction that we need to move along," Dona Ana County Fire Marshall Robert Monsivaiz said.

Miyagishima said he wants the new building to sit in the public safety complex, making it more accessible for police and fire officials.

Las Crucen Arturo Tovar told KFOX14 he hopes elected leaders put their differences aside to get the process moving along quickly.

"It's falling apart, and we do need a new location soon," Tovar said. "Take care of it as soon as possible."

"They are the ones suffering -- the residents of Dona Ana County," Saldana-Caviness said.

Monsivaiz said once a consultant gives the MVRDA board a decision, the board will make a recommendation to the county.