Title
Introduction of Incorporated County of Los Alamos Code Ordinance No. 02-377; an Ordinance Amending Chapter 26, Article II, Section 26-45 of the Code of the Incorporated County of Los Alamos by Amending the Compensation for the Municipal Court Judge
Recommended Action
I move that Council adopt Incorporated County of Los Alamos Code Ordinance No. 02-377; an Ordinance Amending Chapter 26, Article II, Section 26-45 of the Code of the Incorporated County of Los Alamos by Amending the Compensation for the Municipal Court Judge; and ask staff to assure that it is published in summary form.
Body
The County Council has had several discussions about the salaries of the elected officials. On September 9, 2025, Council took the following action:
"A second subsequent motion was made by Councilor Ryti, seconded by Councilor Herrmann, that Council request that the County Manager and County Attorney draft an ordinance for salary for the Municipal Court Judge based on the ninety percent (90%) of the Magistrate Court Judge salary and that the ordinance further reflect increases to the Magistrate Court Judge Salary as budget allows in future terms."
This code ordinance No. 02-377 is the mechanism necessary to revise the compensation for the Municipal Judge to 90% of the Magistrate Court Judge salary which is $118,838. Two items to note for this ordinance are:
1. Article IV, Section 27 of the New Mexico Constitution forbids any increase or decrease in an elected official’s compensation during the elected official’s term of office; therefore, these revised salaries will only take effect the first day of the new term after election in November 2026.
2. A clause was added to review the Municipal Judge compensation on a regular basis; approximately every four years.
Proposed Public Hearing Scheduled for January 6, 2026.
Alternatives
Council could not introduce this ordinance and ask for changes to the ordinance.
Fiscal and Staff Impact/Unplanned Item
There is m...
Click here for full text