Doña Ana County Commissioners vote to give themselves 15% pay raises on staggered basis

LAS CRUCES, New Mexico -- The Doña Ana County Board of Commissioners voted on Tuesday to approve a 15% pay raise for their positions, which amounts to just over $5,000 annually, the county confirmed.

 "We don't really offer enough money to entice young people to participate in the process of being a county commissioner," said Commissioner Shannon Reynolds, who represents district three. "We don't pay enough."

However, none of the four commissioners who voted for the raise will see it in January.

In January 2021, the salaries for districts two, four and five will increase to $39,106 per year, according to the county. That includes two newcomers and Commissioner Manuel Sanchez, who chose to abstain from the vote.

"I abstained from that item because I felt it was a possible conflict of interest," Sanchez told ABC-7. "I was the only one voting that would benefit directly as I and incoming commissioners receive this."

The increased salaries for districts one and three will come in January 2023. The four commissioners who voted for the raise are either leaving office or up for re-election in 2022.

The board chose to vote for the raise at a time when the state is strapped for cash and thousands of Doña Ana County residents are out of work.

"I believe the best time would have been when we asked for it last year," Commissioner Reynolds told ABC-7. "Earlier in the year before the pandemic. However the board did not approve it at that time."

"Right now is probably not the right time because our community is struggling," admitted Commissioner Sanchez.