Appointed officials now eligible for rewards

County commissioners voted unanimously for an ordinance that allow appointed officials to be eligible for training and certification program rewards that vary from $250 to $3,000 depending on specified trainings in the ordinance.

During the April 3 county meeting, the commission went into a public hearing to allow for comments regarding the amended personnel ordinance that would include tuition and training awards to elected officials.

The commissioner discussed three proposals, the original that did not allow appointed officials to participate in financial bonuses for training programs, but was pointed out as being misinterpreted by the previous county manager. Another proposal submitted by County Clerk, Michelle Paz at the previous meeting that included elected officials and a new proposal submitted by County Manager Andy Lotrich that included stipulations for appointed officials to qualify for rewards.

Lotrich said he didn’t think the language he had in his proposal could truly encapsulate what needed to be done to motivate all county employees to participate in trainings.

“I think if we take a bigger look at all of this, we can come up with a much better policy for everybody, but it will also be built into the budget, and we can look at where we want to put our dollars once we have something in front of us.” Lotrich said.

Betty Saavedra, deputy clerk spoke during the hearing and said that all county workers - whether elected officials, appointed, or regular employees - work under the same umbrella and should have similar opportunities. She highlighted how elected officials worked during COVID, coming to the office while allowing other county employees to work remotely.

“We are asking for clarification whether you vote yes, or you vote no, with all due respect to everybody we are just asking for clarification to be put in writing so when it comes up again we do not have to ask,” Saavedra said.

Paz said although she acknowledges that the previous policy was inappropriately interpreted, it did set a precedent for appointed officials to receive rewards.

During the discussion, Attorney Adren Nance clarified that it would only apply to appointed officials and not elected officials.

Commissioner Secatero said he was in support of appointed officials receiving rewards and he wanted the policy to go back to how it was before, he said that the current proposed changes were unnecessary.

In other business, the commissioners heard presentations from Shauna Hartley who gave an update on the Opioid Remediation Collaborative and Veronica Pound, Socorro General Hospital. The commissioners approved the mill levy for the Socorro General Hospital and the grant for the RISE program.

On the agenda was an executive session to discuss pending litigation including the DOT EMS certificate. Commissioners tabled item 15. The direction to staff regarding emergency medical services with the City of Socorro.

The next meeting is scheduled for 5 p.m. on May 13.