Title
Discussion and Possible Action on Next Steps Regarding Elected Officials' Salaries
Recommended Action
I move that Council direct the County Manager to finalize ordinances to revise the Councilor salary to: ___________.
I move that Council direct the County Manager to finalize ordinances to revise the Probate Judge salary to: ___________.
I move that Council direct the County Manager to finalize ordinances to revise the Assessor salary to: ___________.
I move that Council direct the County Manager to finalize ordinances to revise the Municipal Judge salary to $118,838.
I move that Council take no action to revise the Sheriff salary.
I move that Council wait to consider changes to the County Clerk salary until ___________.
Board, Commission or Committee Recommendation
The Council Working Group's recommendation is contained in Attachment B.
Body
Background
The salaries for the Los Alamos County’s Elected Officials are stated in the Municipal Code. The Municipal Code also states which officials are considered full-time, which is currently only the County Clerk. Historically, the State of New Mexico set a cap for the elected officials’ salaries. In 2022, Los Alamos County adopted Ordinance Nos. 02-330 and 02-331 which set the elected officials’ salaries to the State cap as follows:
Councilors - $12,674
Council Chair - $12,674 + $3,170 = $15,844
Clerk - $73,733
Assessor - $7,922
Sheriff - $7,922
Probate Judge - $4,636
Municipal Judge - $104,604
On November 5, 2024, a Constitutional Amendment (No. 4), was on the ballot to amend the State Constitution to authorize the board of county commissioners to set salaries for county officers, essentially removing the State Cap for elected officials salaries. This ballot measure was approved by the voters.
On September 9, 2025, Council took the following action:
"A second subsequent motion was made by Councilor Ryti, seconded by Councilor Hermann, that Council request that the County Manager and County Attor...
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