The Artesia City Council unanimously approved an increase to the salaries of the mayor, mayor pro tem, members of the council, and municipal judge during its regularly scheduled meeting Tuesday.
The salary increases, which will take effect following the next round of elections, are as follows:
- Mayor: from $9,600 per year to $25,000 per year
- Mayor Pro Tem: from $8,400 per year to $15,000 per year
- City Councilors: from $7,200 per year to $12,500 per year
- Municipal Judge: from $44,000 per year to $65,000 per year
The salaries were last amended in October 2005.
Summer Valverde, city clerk, said the current wages for mayor, mayor pro tem and city councilors total $82,000. The approved increase will be adding $69,326 to the general fund budget. The increase in pay for the position of municipal judge will increase the general budget by an additional $22,806.
“We took a look at other cities similar to Artesia, and they were all over the place,” Valverde said. “We did see these ranges in some of the cities.”
Chris Ehmling, vice chair of the Libertarian Party of Eddy County and a resident of Artesia, attended the meeting to express opposition to the raises.
“The issue of taxes is precisely why I came to talk to you tonight,” said Ehmling. “Upon reviewing the details of this resolution of this proposal, I was dismayed by its contents. Our town’s people grapple daily with economic adversities. It’s already challenging for many in our community to provide for themselves and their families. They should not bear the added weight of increased taxation to fund significant raises for politicians.
“When financial struggles arise, our residents adapt their budgets or seek additional employment. Perhaps our elected officials similarly could adjust their budgets or seek alternative income sources rather than rely on taxpayer funds? I implore each esteemed member of this council to exhibit compassion this holiday and reject this proposal. Now more than ever, exercising fiscal responsibility and restraint is imperative. Always remember the taxes that sustain your roles are funds that could otherwise support our citizens and that holding public office wasn’t meant to be a full-time job.”
“I know this council and this government has taken care of finances ahead of anything else,” said Councilor Raul Rodriguez. “Times have changed. If you look at the world now, volunteerism has declined. We serve as part-time volunteer and part-time pay. Each member up here serves on three or four committees.”
“I want to make sure the public is educated,” said Mayor Pro Tem Jeff Youtsey. “If we pass this, it benefits the next council. There has been no stipend increase in 16 years. We looked at the statute, and it’s up to council to set rates. The municipal judge pays $44,000 a year and it’s a full-time job. We surveyed multiple other municipalities. The numbers we came up with were an average.
“Nobody set out with a figure in mind. We also believe compensation should not be the motivation to serve. This council is the most active now than it has been in 12 years, and I have heard nothing but good comments. Also, the councilors, mayor and municipal judge don’t get city benefits.”
“Those numbers shown represent inflation,” added Councilor Jarrod Moreau. “Basically, we are making what we made in 2005 when adjusted for inflation.”
Sarah Gallegos, Artesia Municipal Court judge, thanked the mayor and councilors for their support.
“This young lady works hard as a judge,” said City Attorney Cas Tabor. “It’s not an easy job. We are lucky to have somebody like her wanting to serve in that position.”
Artesia Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Hayley Klein also spoke in favor of the raise.
“I really appreciate all the work you do,” she said. “This is not compensation that is going to make you quit your job and become lifetime politicians. These are not raises that will occur tomorrow. I think you’re all worth it, and I wanted to say that.”
Elsewhere Tuesday, complaints about issues at the Artesia Senior Center kicked off the meeting, with 19 representatives from the Senior Center flooding Council Chambers.
Three representatives of the Senior Center users spoke during the period for hearing visitors, asking for assistance with issues at the facility, including Saturday night dances, use of the kitchen, potluck restrictions, use of pool tables, line of authority, as well as the “attitude and behavior” of the director, which was described as “rude, vindictive, intimidating and retaliatory.”
“We need leadership and an advisory council that will go to bat for us,” said Senior Center regular Tanya Laman. “We should be able to speak without being bullied, reprimanded or belittled. We’re being totally discriminated against. We can’t use the kitchen, but the staff can use the kitchen. We can’t take food in there, but crafters can bring in homemade goods, but we’ve been told we can’t bring in food unless it is prepackaged.
“I believe seniors should be able to share their food if they want to. Ruidoso, Roswell and other places are having potlucks.”
The Senior Center Advisory Council is a nine-seat council that was established by ordinance that has been in place for many years, said Valverde in her closing comments.
“The advisory council met for a couple nights and talked about the issues. We care about the seniors and we want to make sure it’s a safe environment,” she said. “We hear what they’re saying. Caryle, the supervisor, has made a lot of effort to make the best resolution for everybody’s safety and fun and camaraderie. We will meet again, the Government Committee, to discuss it. We are not leaving them out there hanging.”
In other city business, the council approved an ordinance amending the Lodgers’ Tax ordinance.
“All five members of committee supported it,” said Klein. “This ordinance now includes amendments to state statute that were approved a couple years ago.”
Fire Chief Kevin Hope reported a significant jump in emergency calls in November, and Community Development/Infrastructure Director Byron Landfair reported on $1.8-million upgrades happening at Woodbine Cemetery, which encompass mostly sprinklers and roads. The city is removing 63 trees and replacing them with 180 trees.
The council also approved the issuance of a special-use permit for Bulldog Billiards, owned by Arturo Galvan, for 1012 S. 13th St. within the Abo Shopping Center; a zone change from SA2 to special-use zone SU1 for the property at 2613 W. Richardson Ave. owned by Clark Memorial Methodist Church; and a variance of 9 feet from the curved property line setback and 21 feet from the front property line setback for the property at 2109 W. Currier Ave. owned by James Randall and Dena Crouch.
As part of its consent agenda, the council granted permission for:
• the hiring of Lisa Elrod, library clerk, at a pay rate of $2,600 per month and Jeffrey Silveira, certified firefighter/paramedic, at a pay rate of $6,196.40 per month.
• the resignations of Rylan Ruiz, fire cadet, effective Nov. 30; Cullen Lowry, library clerk, effective Nov. 17; and Andrew Clough, library clerk, effective Nov. 27.
• one fire employee to attend the New Mexico Fire Council meeting in Albuquerque.
• one fire employee to attend Fire Officer II training in Carlsbad.
• two fire employees to attend the Leadership Development Symposium in San Marcos, Texas.
• one fire employee to attend Fire Officer II training in Socorro.
• one fire employee to attend Fire Service Instructor II training in Bernalillo County.
• three fire employees to attend 3M Scott Air-Pak Technician I and II training in Pasadena, Texas.
• one parks and streets employee, two wastewater employees, one infrastructure employee, and one safety employee to attend Excavation and Trenching/Fall Protection/Confined Space Competent Person training in Ruidoso.
• one police employee to attend Legal Update online training.
• one police employee to attend Incident Command for Expanding Incidents training in Hobbs.
• one planning employee to attend the 2024 EduCODE Conference in Las Vegas, Nev.
• one police employee to attend Advanced Roadside Impaired Driving Enforcement training in Artesia.
• one water employee to attend the NMWWA Annual Conference in Las Cruces.
