Bernalillo County Commissioners Tuesday voted to give themselves and the public more time to consider legislation.
The commission voted 4-1 to extend the notice for meeting agendas from three to five days. That means the agenda for a Tuesday meeting will be published the prior Thursday.
County officials have generally posted agendas on Fridays, though state law doesn’t require them to be published until Saturday.
Commission Chair Eric Olivas proposed the change, saying commissioners need more time to consider proposals before voting on them.
“It gives all of us a little bit of extra time trying to get material [and] talk with our advisors and constituents,” he said. “But more importantly, it gives our constituents an extra day — a weekday, which is more valuable — to consider these things and talk to us.”
The procedural change also requires legislation to go through two hearings before passage. Olivas said he’s concerned about the transparency of the current process.
“We can introduce an item at five o’clock on Friday as a commissioner, and … you can vote on it and pass it into law on Tuesday,” he said. “Nobody has seen what you’ve drafted, except you.”
Olivas said the new process will allow the public to better judge the board’s accountability and allow commissioners more time to suggest amendments.
The measure will allow the commission to waive the two-hearing rule for urgent items, with a 4-1 vote. If fewer than five commissioners are present, a majority vote would pass a rule suspension.
County Manager Cindy Chavez said she was confident in staff’s ability to handle the new rules because of the rule suspension mechanism and the chance to discuss any needed changes.
“I would suggest that we look at this a year from now, and work with the staff to determine whether or not this framework is supportive and suitable to your leadership and that we are able to meet the deadlines that are before us,” Chavez said.
Olivas, Vice Chair Adriann Barboa and Commissioners Frank Baca and Barbara Baca supported the motion. Commissioner Walt Benson cast the only dissenting vote.