By Kevin Hendricks, The Paper.
Sandoval County commissioners will formally request the resignation of County Assessor Linda Gallegos Wednesday after she took a full-time position with the New Mexico Treasurer’s Office in May while continuing to collect her elected-office salary — but Gallegos says she has kept up with her duties and calls the commission’s move “a complete shock.”
A resolution sponsored by District 2 Commissioner Jon Herr says Gallegos accepted a full-time position as State Cash Manager on May 4 — earning $155,000 annually — while retaining her $86,626 county paycheck. Under NMSA 1978 § 10-6-3, an elected official who fails to devote ordinary working hours to their duties for 30 or more consecutive days is deemed to have resigned. County Manager Wayne Johnson confirmed the resolution does not remove Gallegos from office but formally requests her resignation. Commissioners convene Wednesday at 6 p.m. at the Commission Chambers, 1500 Idalia Road, Bernalillo.
Gallegos told The Paper. she notified the county manager, deputy county manager and all commissioners when she took the state job. She said she has physically reported to the assessor’s office during ordinary working hours multiple times since May 4, and has been in contact with staff and constituents by phone and email every workday. “I have had phone calls and emails with staff, management and constituents every single work day from May 4 to present,” she said.
Gallegos said the resolution blindsided her. “This was a complete shock,” she said. “Herr never expressed any concern, asked any questions or contacted me in any way.” She said she has since spoken with Commissioners Katherine Bruch, Joshua Jones, and Commission Chair Jordan Juarez, but that Herr and District 3 Commissioner Michael Meek have not returned her correspondence.
State Rep. Catherine Cullen (R-Rio Rancho) called the arrangement a “taxpayer-funded side hustle.” “Public office is a public trust,” Cullen said in a statement Moday. “They expect elected officials to be fully committed to the jobs they were elected to do, not collecting multiple taxpayer-funded salaries while delegating the responsibilities of public office.”
More details
- Gallegos said the state job arose unexpectedly; she had originally hoped to stay at the county in another role after her term, but a county rule bars elected officials from county employment for one year after leaving office.
- If Gallegos resigns, the commission must appoint a replacement to serve through December 31, 2026. Gallegos is term-limited and cannot seek re-election.
- County Manager Johnson previously told KRQE that without a formal vacancy declaration, the county must continue paying Gallegos. “There’s no vacancy in the assessor’s office. And without that, I have to continue as normal,” he said.
- Wednesday’s agenda also includes votes on more than $15 million in proposed bond financing and new labor contracts for firefighters and detention staff.
Sandoval County Commission meeting
When: Wednesday, June 10, 6 p.m.
Where: Commission Chambers, 1500 Idalia Road, Building D, Bernalillo
Live stream: sandovalcountynm.gov
Public comment: sandovalcountynm.gov/commission/public-comment/
Full agenda:sandovalcountynm.gov/commission/sccmeetings/