Title
Introduction of Incorporated County of Los Alamos Code Ordinance No. 02-376; an Ordinance Amending Chapter 2, Article III, Section 2-111, of the Code of the Incorporated County of Los Alamos Adjusting the Compensation of the Probate Judge
Recommended Action
I move that Council adopt Incorporated County of Los Alamos Code Ordinance No. 02-376; an Ordinance Amending Chapter 2, Article III, Section 2-111, of the Code of the Incorporated County of Los Alamos Adjusting the Compensation of the Probate 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. At the Council meeting on November 18, 2025, the following action was taken:
A motion was made by Councilor Neal-Clinton, seconded by Councilor Ryti, that Council direct the County Manager to finalize ordinances to revise the Probate Judge salary to $25,000. The motion passed 6-0.
This code ordinance No. 02-376 is the mechanism necessary to revise the compensation for the Probate Judge. 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, this revised salary will only take effect the first day of the new term after election in November 2026.
2. A clause was added to review the Probate 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 minimal staff impact due to this change to compensation and the fiscal impact will be incorporated into the Probate Judge's budget in the appropriate years. The increase is approximately $20,364/year.
Attachments
A - Incorporated County of Los Alamos Code Ordinance No...
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