County manager search committee shenanigans can’t be allowed to stand
As Bernalillo County commissioners, we are entrusted with upholding the principles of transparency and accountability in our governmental leadership. It is with deep concern that we address recent events surrounding the establishment of a search committee for the new county manager in light of our current county manager’s impending retirement in June.
The New Mexico Foundation for Open Government (FOG) has brought to light potential violations of the New Mexico Open Meetings Act by the Bernalillo County Commission. Reports received through FOG’s public hotline have raised alarming questions about the conduct of certain commissioners in the decision-making process. These violations left FOG with little choice but to ask for an investigation by the New Mexico Department of Justice.
Specifically, the allegations suggest that Commissioners Barbara Baca, Adriann Barboa, and Eric Olivas entered the April 9 Commission Administrative Meeting with a predetermined plan — known as a rolling quorum, which is illegal — regarding the establishment of a search committee for the county manager position. This plan, disclosed before the resolution’s consideration in the public meeting, has rightfully raised concerns about compliance with the Open Meetings Act.
As commissioners, we fully support FOG’s call for a thorough investigation by the NMDOJ into these alleged violations. Transparency and accountability are not mere buzzwords but essential pillars of effective governance. These acts by Baca, Barboa, and Olivas have alienated the voice of tw0-fifths of Bernalillo County residents.
Moreover, our districts, districts 2 and 4, are the most populous of the unincorporated areas of the county. We owe it to our constituents to ensure that their voices are heard and their concerns are addressed in a fair and transparent manner.
Furthermore, recent revelations regarding the composition of the search committee have only deepened our apprehensions. It has come to our attention that several individuals appointed to the committee have contributed financially to the campaigns of commissioners Baca and Olivas.
We have confirmed this apparent conflict of interest by a quick search of campaign finance records in the New Mexico Secretary of State’s campaign finance database. Moreover, one of the members of this search committee is an employee of UNM Hospital, which could be considered an additional conflict of interest.
A longstanding federal agreement between the Bureau of Indian Affairs and Bernalillo County makes the county responsible for operating UNMH. The county manager is responsible for executing this agreement on behalf of the county commissioners. These issues raise serious questions about the integrity of this politically motivated “search committee.”
The involvement of individuals with ties to certain commissioners in such a crucial decision-making process undermines public trust and confidence in the integrity of our government. It is essential that we uphold the highest standards of ethics and accountability to restore faith in our institutions.
We commend FOG for its tireless dedication to upholding transparency and accountability in government. Civic engagement plays a vital role in safeguarding our democratic values, and we are grateful to the citizens who have courageously come forward with their concerns.
We join FOG in urging the NMDOJ to conduct a thorough investigation into these alleged violations of state law. The county manager is the chief executive for the entire county and therefore influences the lives of every citizen in Bernalillo County. We must ensure that the search for the new county manager is conducted in a fair, transparent, and impartial manner, free from any undue influence or conflicts of interest.
Bernalillo County commissioners, as elected officials, must hold ourselves accountable to the highest ethical standards. Anything short of this undermines the public’s trust and oath upon which we swore to uphold.