Bernalillo County commissioners Tuesday will consider a contract to pay incoming County Manager Cindy Chavez $230,000 a year.
Chavez, currently a member of the Santa Clara County (California) Board of Supervisors, was selected in June to replace Julie Morgas Baca, who retired at the end of that month.
Shirley Ragin, deputy county manager for finance, has been interim county manager since Morgas Baca retired. According to county records, Ragin’s annualized pay is $215,000, which is also what Morgas Baca was making.
By contrast, if the contract is approved, Chavez’s base pay will be higher than that of anyone on the City of Albuquerque payroll. Police Chief Harold Medina made $226,496 last year as the third-highest paid city employee. Only two other public safety workers — who are eligible for overtime — made more than $230,000.
The county manager has full authority over the day-to-day operations of the county government and is charged with executing policy set by the commission.
The proposed four-year contract includes a Nov. 13 start date. Other financial considerations include up to $25,000 in moving expenses and annual merit-based pay increases of 3% to 7%, if the Board of Commissioners finds her performance meets or exceeds expectations.
The county will also provide Chavez with a vehicle for her official duties and limited personal use, and pay for job-related memberships in professional societies and associations, as well as dues or fees necessary to maintain licenses or bonds.
Chavez will also be entitled to Public Employees Retirement Association of New Mexico participation, with the county contributing $20,000 a year on her behalf.
Either Chavez or the county may terminate the contract with 90 days notice. If the county takes that action, Chavez will receive a severance payment equal to six months’ salary and benefits plus health care costs for the remainder of the contract term.
The county may also terminate the contract for cause. Grounds identified in the contract include failure to satisfactorily perform her duties, misconduct or malfeasance, embezzlement and commission of a felony.
The contract prohibits her from making donations to any county political campaign or soliciting contributions “on behalf of any individual or any political cause.”