Town council thanks manager Bellis

The town of Taos Council praised manager Rick Bellis in their Tuesday (June 11) meeting after voting to decrease his benefits and increase his gross salary to compensate.

“It’s a very generous thing to do,” Bellis said during the meeting.

The council unanimously passed the item and gave praise to Bellis as their reason for passing the adjustment. Even council members who have disagreed with Bellis in the past had kind words to say about his time in Taos.

“While we have disagreed at times, we have also agreed as well,” Darien Fernandez told Bellis. “I really appreciate the fact that as much as we disagreed, you understand that we share a lot of the same goals.”

Fernandez ran against Mayor Dan Barrone and entertained the idea of removing Bellis from his manager position as a campaign goal.

According to the initial draft of the amendment, this change would have no financial impact on the town.

Bellis recently applied for the job of Río Rancho city manager and candidates for that position were interviewed June 7.

Bellis told The Taos News his plans were to stay in Taos for the time being.

The council also recognized the hiring of two new police officers to the Taos Police Department. Officers Gabriel Martinez and Gabriel Blea were added to the Taos police force which Bellis said is now fully staffed.

During the meeting the council also approved the appointment of Kachina Lodge owner Pinder Gill to the lodger’s tax board and Kenneth Martinez to the planning and zoning commission.