GRANTS, N.M. – The Cibola County Board of Commissioners Chamber was filled for the February 7 meeting. A majority of the seats were filled by the Sheriff’s Department. All commissioners were present for the meeting and the vote to approve the agenda was a unanimous “yes.”
The meeting was turned over to Sheriff Diaz to introduce four new deputies who recently joined the Sheriff’s Department. Once the new deputies were properly introduced and welcomed, the meeting moved to the salary plan.
It was stated, with the state increasing wages and giving bonuses, taking into consideration factors of sustainability, inflation, and the economy, the big issue facing Cibola is the retention and longevity of county employees. The county lost three CDL drivers in one month to the state.
Cibola County moved to increase salaries for all county employees. The only exclusion is elected officials, the county manager, and other appointees. The raise moves employees who are at the minimum range to the mid-point range, and midpoint to the maximum range. “This is to keep things fair across the board. It isn’t about someone doing a better job than anyone else or who knows who. We need to keep county employees in the county,” Ms. Fletcher stated.
It was pointed out at the meeting this raise is possible due to the continued growth in the general fund every year. Revenue has been stronger than expenditures with over two million per year being added. Five hundred thousand was used to get employees from minimum to mid-level and increase PERA.
Cibola County Manager Kate Fetcher stated that once an employee hits maximum, it becomes stable. She also said the county will sit down with every employee to discuss the plan in detail. Local assistance to tribal road improvements was also approved.
The next County Commissioners’ Meeting will be on February 23.