Bernalillo County passes resolution for selecting new county manager
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE) – Bernalillo County is one step closer to selecting a new county manager. On Tuesday, March 9, the county commission approved a resolution that set the selection process, but not everyone was happy about it.
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Current County Manager Julie Morgas Baca is retiring at the end of June. To find a new manager, the county will use a five-member search committee and public meetings to come up with a list of five candidates by the end of May. The Board of County Commissioners will then select one candidate by vote on June 25. The newly approved process also lets the commission appoint an interim manager. The search committee is:
Juan Vigil, Search Committee Chair – Former Bernalillo County Manager, Former Administrator Village of Los Ranchos, Former Cabinet Secretary NM Human Services Department
Tim Cummins – Former City Councilor, Former Bernalillo County Commissioner
Maggie Hart-Stebbins – NM Natural Resources Trustee, Former Bernalillo County Commissioner
Yolanda Cordova-Montoya – Former President of APS School Board, Former Deputy Secretary of Workforce Solutions
Venice Ceballos – Program Operations Director for Community Health Worker Initiatives, UNM
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“Much of the input I received from fellow commissioners has been incorporated into this proposed search process and the associated desired skills and abilities for our next County Manager,” Commission Chair Barbara Baca said in a press release. “We are deeply grateful to Julie Morgas Baca for her outstanding service. It will be hard to fill her shoes but we are determined to find the right person to take the helm and continue the important work she has undertaken.”
An alternative selection process was proposed by Commissioner Steven Michael Quezada and Commissioner Walt Benson. The alternative proposal would have let each county commissioner appoint one citizen to the selection committee.
“I do appreciate the effort,” Quezada said as the commissioners discussed the proposal ultimately selected. “I have noticed some of the ideas that my office put forward were implemented.” But Quezada said not allowing each commissioner to appoint a selection committee member would harm residents.
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“I would move for a friendly amendment to allow each commissioner to appoint his own person to that committee or that panel because I feel that if you silence my participation in that effort that you’re disenfranchising over 100,000 voters who voted for me and Commissioner Benson,” Quezada explained.
Quezada and Benson said they didn’t have a say in who would participate in the selection committee. Commissioner Eric Olivas responded by saying that the appointed selection committee members do represent Quezada’s and Benson’s districts – and that those on the selection committee are the best qualified, he argued.
“This is an honest effort for good government,” Commission Chair Barbara Baca said in defense of the approved selection process. Commissioner Quezada then walked out of the meeting, saying “I can represent my constituents better in my office than I can do in here.”
The county manager is tasked with conducting county business in accordance with policies approved by the county commissioners. The manager also makes policy recommendations to the commissioners and manages the county’s budget.
Commissioner Walt Benson issued the following statement:
“I did not vote for the resolution presented by Chair Barbara Baca,” say Commissioner Benson. “The County Manager is the Chief Executive of the entire county budget, administration, personnel and operations. It’s the most important hire the commission can make. The County Manager affects every employee and every resident of the county. By rejecting mine and Commissioner Quezada’s amendment, three members of the commission have publicly and intentionally cut two Commissioners and their constituents out of the selection process for this essential role. I disagree and am greatly disappointed by their divisive and exclusionary decision to strong arm this hiring process.”
“The makeup of the selection committee should have been decided by all five commissioners. Commissioners Baca, Olivas, and Barboa should reconsider the message they are sending to the public by eliminating two Commissioners from the process. My request is that we compromise on a more equitable and transparent process by allowing all five Commissioners an equal voice in the makeup of this selection committee.”
Commissioner Steven Michael Quezada issued the following statement:
“I am deeply disappointed by the actions of Commissioners Baca, Olivas, and Barboa, who persist in silencing the voices of residents in District 2 and District 4. Their habits for backroom deals and decisions made without transparency is unacceptable. The selection process they’ve crafted for the new county manager lacks inclusivity and raises concerns of a rigged outcome aimed at installing someone who will serve their interests, neglecting the voices of those who disagree with them, and silencing the residents of the unincorporated areas of Bernalillo County. I made the decision to walk out of the commission meeting last night because I refuse to stand idly by while my constituents’ voices are ignored,” says District 2 Commissioner Steven Michael Quezada.
