Editor’s Note: This story includes expletive language. The language is used in a quote, selected to run in this edition of the Cibola Citizen to capture the moment these words were said, and give readers a more full idea of what happened in the Grants City Council Chamber on May 9.
GRANTS, NM – Following his termination as Grants city manager by the Grants City Council, Donald Jaramillo was hired as the executive director at the Grants-Cibola County Chamber of Commerce and the New Mexico Mining Museum. His relationship with the Grants City Council was not over, as he now stepped into a position that requires him to ask the city for money to fund projects the nonprofits put on.
At a special city council meeting held on May 9, Jaramillo lashed out at Councilor Beverly Michael, who he openly blamed for his termination. His words included calling Michael, the only woman on the Grants City Council, expletives typically leveled at women.
The words came after the city tabled the Grants-Cibola County Chamber of Commerce Lodgers’Tax recommendation in the amount of $171,000 due to a lack of financial documents that the city requires.
The Termination On July 26, 2023, the Grants City Council terminated Jaramillo’s contract as City Manager. Michael made the motion “for termination of the city manager’s contract as an atwill employee without cause.” Through sources that could not be named, the Cibola Citizen learned the reasoning behind the termination was due to the purchase of a building for the Grants Community Pantry. Following his termination, sources say at least one councilor was in favor of suspension Jaramillo’s suspension, but politics got in the way and the board moved for termination of his contract. When asked, Jaramillo said the council signed off on the purchase of the community pantry, including Michael, and remarked that maybe she should have been removed from office.
Jaramillo published a letter to the editor in the August 16 edition of the Cibola Citizen explaining the situation behind the Pantry. The letter reads, “Truth is, the State would not reimburse nearly $750,000 of the $1.5 million pantry property purchase… In addition to the Pantry error, it’s been obvious that one council member has wanted me out of City Hall since they were elected due to my good relation with past and present mayors… It just showed how hateful this council member is. Sad but true.”
The Boiling Point At the special city council meeting on May 9, the council was reviewing the recommendations for Lodgers’ Tax for various businesses and entities.
The council approved six businesses Lodgers’ Tax recommendations, which included the Grants Rodeo Association in the amount of $40,000, the Cibola County Historical Society in the amount of $6,000, the Cibola Arts Council in the amount of $6,000, the Mt. Taylor Quadrathlon in the amount of $50,000, the Cibola County Tail Alliance in the amount of $10,000, and the Cibola County 4-H Shooting Sports in the amount of $13,875.
With each discussion the council had with requesting agencies, Michael questioned the profit and loss statements to see how the previous year’s Lodgers’ Tax was utilized.
According to Michael, the council told requesting agencies that the city wants profit and loss statements to be provided in this year’s request. She said the city asked this of agencies over a year ago.
Michael abstained from voting for the approval of the Grants Rodeo Association’s Lodgers’ Tax due to the absence of profit and loss statements. City Clerk Frances Salas said that the Lodgers’ Tax packets use wording that require profit and loss statements be included in the requesting agencies request.
Jaramillo went before the council regarding the Lodgers’ Tax recommendation for the Grants-Cibola County Chamber of Commerce. The chamber’s recommendation was for $171,000.
Michael said, “So, I have some concerns with this and one of my concerns is that, after the first year with the Rugged West Rally there was a very detailed financial report that was printed out and provided to the council. This year we did not get that report, so I’m wanting to consider a motion to table this item until we get a clear look at what past monies we gave them – how that was spent – and what the outcome of that event was. Because, this is a significant ask, significantly larger than any of the other entities are asking.”
Jaramillo, when questioned if there was any revenue or losses with this year’s Rugged West, responded by saying, “In regard to the Rugged West, that was additional funding. I can’t say how well it went, or monies made; that was pre[my time as executive director], so I can’t speak in regards to that.”
Michael said, “I really would like to request a report on [the Rugged West] be made to the council before we move forward with this.”
Mayor Erik Garcia responded to Michael, saying, “If you’re doing that, you’re going to have to ask for every organization [to provide profit and loss statements]. The Quad did not provide a profit and loss.”
Vice President of the Chamber of Commerce Heather Porter said, “I 100 percent agree with you that we should present the profit and loss. Regarding the Rugged West specifically, we lost money.”
Councilor George Garcia said, “The [Chamber of Commerce] board should have numbers [for the Rugged West]. We were promised that last year, I think you remember that. We specifically asked for the numbers. Like we said, this is a large amount of money you’re asking us, I have no doubt you could produce what you said, what you’re promising; but we want to know what was spent previously.”
When Mayor Garcia called for a motion, Michael made a motion to table the Lodgers’ Tax recommendation of $171,000 until the city is given the final accounting for the Rugged West Rally and the 20232024 profit and loss. Councilor Fred Rodarte seconded the motion.
Mayor Garcia said, “We’re in budget season right now, we did this meeting so we can get some numbers. The Lodgers’ Tax already did their portion, the city has overlooked their portion. This should have been done ahead of time, Councilor Michael, [for you] to bring these questions forth to the manager. Now we’re going to be on a delay for the budget. You’re asking for things from this organization . . . but you said it was okay for these other ones, it seems like it is directed.”
Jaramillo proceeded to lash out and yell, “It fucking is directed. She is a bitch that’s what the problem is. I’m just telling you straight up.” Jaramillo then walked out of the meeting.
Michael and Mayor Garcia then proceeded to argue. Michael said, “It’s $171,000, Mr. Mayor, I mean the only one that comes close to it is $50,000. This is a large sum of money. We have questions. We have the right to have our questions answered. That’s all I have to say. The motion stands and second’s been made, call for the vote.” Mayor Garcia asked Michael, “Did you hear what he said, too.”
Michael responded by saying, “I sure did.”
Mayor Garcia roll called the vote. Michael, Councilor Garcia, and Rodarte all responded yes. The Lodgers’ Tax for the Chamber of Commerce was tabled.
The Council proceeded to table the remaining Lodgers’ Tax Recommendations. This included the New Mexico Mining Museum in the amount of $30,000, the American Legion Riders Chapter 18 in the amount of $8,000, and Grants Main-Street Project Inc. in the amount of $10,000.
Councilor Fred Rodarte said that the city needs to set a precedent now to table all Lodgers’ Tax Recommendations that do not include the proper documentation of funds for the organization.
Cade Elkins, who is the Chair of the Lodgers’ Tax board proceeded to walk out on the rest of the meeting following the tabling of the remaining Lodgers’ Tax recommendations.
All City of Grants meetings are live streamed and available to watch live or replayed on the City of Grants Facebook page and the City of Grants, NM YouTube.