MILAN, NM – The Board of Trustees approved an official contract for Candace Williams who was previously the Interim Village Manager and Finance Director to be the official Village Manager and Finance Director until December 31, 2024 when her contract will be terminated.
Previous Village Manager Linda Cooke who was the manager for two years informed Mayor Felix Gonzales that she wished to resign on December 4. Following the resignation by Cooke, Mayor Gonzales appointed Finance Director Williams as the interim Manager. Mayor Gonzales said that Williams would be the interim manager until they were able to find a full-time manager after the holidays. Williams ended up being the interim manager well after the holidays and was in the interim manager position for five months, while still doing her duties as the finance director, and being paid for both positions.
At the Board of Trustees Meeting held on May 16, the trustees entered an executive session to discuss the Village Manager. Following the executive session the trustees approved the contract to name Williams as the official Village Manager. In the contract that was approved states, “The Employee agrees to perform the duties of the Village Manager, including but not limited to those duties set forth in the Village Manager job description, as well as the job duties of the Finance Director position.” Williams will still be paid an annual base salary for her positions of village manager and finance director.
In Section 2 Term and Renewal of Term it states, “The term of this Agreement shall begin on May 16, 2024, and shall terminate on December 31, 2024, or until terminated in accordance with Section 8 of this agreement.” According to this contract Williams will only be employed as the official village manager for up to six months before the contract is terminated or unless the contract is terminated beforehand. The contract also stipulates that Williams agrees that she will neither accept other employment nor become employed by any other employer until the agreement is terminated with the exception of current non-profit work. Upon the termination of the village manager contract, Williams will resume her duties as Finance Director and her salary will revert back to the salary amount set by the approved budget for the finance director position.
The village has not said whether it will begin a search for another full-time manager following the termination of the village manager contract for Williams. For the time being Williams will continue the duties for both the Village Manager and Finance Director for at least six months. According to the contract Williams, “Shall devote her full-time attention to the employment referred to herein.” Any contract or previous agreements have also been terminated with this new contract.