Pot policy change, salary hikes approved by BernCo commissioners

Bernalillo County employees are now free to use cannabis when off duty.

County commissioners voted Tuesday to approve changes in the drug-free workplace policy that essentially treat employees’ cannabis use the same way as alcohol use is regulated.

Commission Vice Chair Eric Olivas sponsored the change. He said it’s a matter of personal liberty for employees and offers an alternative to alcohol for those who experience traumatic occurrences in the course of their duties.

“They’re experiencing things that most of us don’t experience once in a lifetime,” Olivas said. “And they’re dealing with it, maybe day-in, day-out. This allows them to work with their physicians, working to find the best alternative, the best medicine for them to treat any conditions or traumatic events that they’re dealing with.”

Olivas said the policy’s prohibition on employees performing their jobs while under the influence will remain in place.

Commission Chair Barbara Baca noted that recreational use of cannabis is legal in New Mexico and said she supported the idea as a way to help employees deal with PTSD.

Commissioner Steven Michael Quezada said he thought it was “high time” for the change to be made.

Some employees, including those who regularly carry firearms, will continue to be prohibited from using cannabis.

Also at the meeting, commissioners rejected a proposed change to the county’s code of conduct that would have eliminated the one-year “cooling-off period” required for former elected officials before they can accept employment or consulting work with the county.

Quezada sponsored that bill. He said his intention was to allow newly elected officials such as a sheriff, treasurer or assessor to hire former officials as part of their staff, and put their expertise to use for the benefit of the county.

He and Commissioner Walt Benson supported the motion, while Baca, Olivas and Commissioner Adriann Barboa cast the “no” votes.

“What’s at stake here is the trust of our constituencies, and I don’t feel like changing the code of conduct in this matter with a specific single amendment is appropriate,” Baca said.

She noted that an update to the overall code of conduct is expected to take place soon.

Also approved was a 15% increase in pay for countywide elected officials, which will not change commissioners’ pay.

Discussion on that item dealt with the balance between a desire to make running for office an option for a wider segment of the county’s population and being mindful of the costs to taxpayers.

Michelle S. Kavanaugh, elected in November as county clerk, said the current salary of $86,626 would be a 30% pay cut from her prior earnings.