VILLAGE OF MILAN, N.M. — The Village of Milan Board of Trustees held a special meeting on Thursday, May 4, at 9:30 a.m. The meeting was originally set up so that the Board of Trustees could further discuss Resolution 2022-014, involving a salary schedule for Village of Milan employees for the next nine years.
At the last regular trustee meeting, Village Finance Director Candi Williams explained how the schedule was developed objectively by comparing the Village of Milan, its positions, and corresponding salaries to municipalities of a similar size with similar positions. Williams also discussed the schedule with each trustee separately and gathered all of their input. Williams noted that the schedule was a guideline and was not something that would be set in stone. Mayor Felix Gonzales and other trustees had some concerns with the fairness of the salary schedule. Mayor Gonzales was concerned that the schedule did not factor in years of service, but Williams reassured the board that those types of issues could be factored in in individual cases. Ultimately, the board decided to table the decision so that they could have more time to consider it and have a special meeting for the final decision later.
The mayor and all trustees were in attendance at the May 4 special meeting, and the agenda was approved as presented. The mayor asked the board if anyone had any questions regarding the salary schedule. No one had any questions, so Mayor Gonzales said, “I think we have a schedule that we can approve.” Mayor Pro Tem Vivian Brumbelow made a motion to approve the salary schedule, and the motion was passed by all.
Next on the agenda was the Audit Contract, which Village Clerk Denise Baca explained is a contract with the same auditor that the Village of Milan has been working with for the last two years. The contract included an option to continue working with the auditor for a third year, which is the option Baca recommended moving forward with and approving. Baca stated that the village would continue paying the same fees as the previous two years. A motion was made by Trustee Chris Archuleta, seconded by Trustee Roseanne Lopez, and approved by all to move into a third year with Southwest Accounting.
Baca reported to the board that Village Public Works Director Joe Ray Mirabal found the village a backhoe available for purchase. The backhoe is from a company originating out of Gallup, but the company is located in Cibola County as well. The village has been searching for a backhoe for some time, and Baca said that they have not been able to find one for the price of the one from the Gallupbased company. According to Baca, the backhoe is a 2017 version, and it has all of the features that village employees have expressed a need for. The backhoe is $42,000, but Baca said they would only have to pay about $10,000 after having just received a check for $32,000 from their insurance company for the previous backhoe. Finally, Baca recommended that the board approve the purchase of the backhoe, contingent upon inspection of the equipment. The board approved.
Next, Finance Director Williams sought direction on a budget option. “So in our budgeting meetings, I gave you guys five different options. I visited with everybody and it looks like everybody’s leaning towards Option Number Four,” said Williams. In a previous workshop held on April 14, Williams explained Option Four as a sustainable and affordable option that would bring village employees’ salaries to at least midway of where they should be in a series of small steps. The board agreed on the option and directed Williams to go forward with Option Four as she develops May’s upcoming Preliminary Budget.
Concluding the Action/Discussion portion of the agenda, Mayor Gonzales asked for board comments. None of the trustees had any comments, to which Gonzales responded jokingly, “I can’t go without comments.” All laughed, and Gonzales continued by wishing a happy Mother’s Day to all of the moms. Gonzales reminded those that still have their mothers around to cherish them for as long as they can, and then he shared his Mother’s Day plans for his wife. Gonzales then acknowledged all of the Milan teachers in light of Teacher’s Appreciation Day. Gonzales asked for continued prayers for Trustee Lopez and her current medical condition, congratulated the Laguna Hawks and Grants Pirates baseball teams for making it to the state tournament, and then concluded Thursday’s May 4 special meeting.