by Ruth Stodghill

COLFAX —  Colfax County is back in the hiring game—cautiously. Facing a lingering budget deficit and pressure to keep the jail accredited, the Board of Commissioners voted on Oct. 14 to reopen recruitment for safety-sensitive positions. The discussion followed a lengthy closed session where commissioners hashed out personnel matters including jail staffing, promotions, and assignments.

Ultimately, the board unanimously approved Resolution 2025-85, authorizing the county manager and sheriff to recruit and hire for vacancies in safety-sensitive roles. Chairman Todd Tatum was direct in his assessment of the situation. “If we lose the jail, we’re in trouble. We need to keep our accreditation. We need to keep it employed.”

Vice Chair Mary Lou Kern suggested an amendment: the county manager could unfreeze just one jail position—only if all budgeted positions are filled and the candidate is exceptional, adding that consultation between the warden and manager would be required. The amendment passed unanimously.

Earlier tension surfaced over staffing elsewhere within the county government. A request to rehire an assessor’s office appraiser was rejected, even though the position had funding. Assessor Kristi Graham explained that recently a long-time employee left for a state job paying roughly $2 more per hour. Graham proposed rehiring a former appraiser at $20.25 per hour, with incentive pay already budgeted. Commissioner Kern opposed the timing, citing the budget shortfall. “The budget was still half a million dollars over,” she said. “So I’m going to vote no and would like to see it come back in January.”

Alarm Over Budget Overspending and Internal Controls

During the county expenditures review, Commissioner Si Trujillo raised alarms about budget overruns and weak internal controls. Several departments had negative or nearly depleted lines, including drug testing (-19.5%), road equipment maintenance (only 19.3% remaining), and the county fire vehicle (-116.6%). Vector control payroll also appeared misallocated.

“These negative line items… a PO is not being properly done because a PO is becoming negative,” Trujillo said. He called for stricter oversight: “At no time should anything be paid out with a negative line item or a PO be able to be created.” To improve discipline, he suggested encumbering utility costs through pre-set purchase orders drawn down monthly. Tatum agreed, requesting that approvals be listed before checks are issued, noting some divisions lacked clear expenditure explanations.

Infrastructure Projects Advance 

Despite funding challenges, two major infrastructure projects moved forward. The board accepted a $1.235 million NMDOT grant for the Tinaja river crossing. Trujillo urged quick engineering coordination to avoid a repeat of the Blosser Gap project, which dragged on nearly a decade.

Later, the Blosser Gap Bridge Replacement contract went to CITE Inc., even though the project is $300,000–$500,000 over budget. Trujillo favored using the general fund if necessary: “If we wait any longer, it’s just going to keep costing more… We’re going to be stuck like we were with the Blosser Gap low water crossing.” Kern supported the move: “The ball was dropped on this thing… I’m totally in favor of moving forward.” County Manager Cheryl Navarette confirmed the engineer’s recommendation to award CITE the contract.

In Other Business

Several resolutions passed, including Resolution 2025-83 to participate in the NMDOT Transportation Project Fund, Resolution 2025-84 to auction surplus vehicles with proceeds returned to original departments, and Resolution 2025-86 approving overtime pay for the lieutenant and undersheriff during disaster operations and on-call duties.

The board also approved Resolution 2025-87, supporting New Mexico Counties’ 2026 legislative priorities, and passed Resolutions 2025-88 and 2025-89 to adjust the budget and transfer funds related to the corrections recruitment grant.

In her manager’s docket, County Manager Navarette reported that staff were actively responding to audit requests and that delinquent solid waste customers had been contacted with final notices printed on bright pink paper. Fifteen customers responded to the final notice, and 14 to the first notice, with several payment arrangements made. The assistant county manager position has been posted, with one applicant so far, prompting commissioners to request broader advertising.

During the commissioners’ docket, Commissioner Trujillo proposed a “Touch, Feel, and Explore” event for children featuring county vehicles and services. He also reported progress on installing an infant surrender box at the Raton fire station and ongoing collaboration with Grow Raton and state economic development officials. Trujillo requested a future finance and grants report to track budget performance and grant drawdowns.