By Rodd Cayton, Sandoval Signpost
In a move Mayor Jack Torres says will improve the candidate pool, town councilors in Bernalillo Monday approved a change to how the fire chief will be employed. The 3-1 vote changes the position from serving at the pleasure of the mayor and council to a regular employee, who cannot be terminated without cause after completing a one-year probationary period.
Councilor Vincent Montoya cast the “no” vote, citing concerns about a lower level of accountability if some form of tenure is attached to the position. He said he spoke with other chiefs across the state before the meeting. “I talked to the one from Los Lunas, and he mentioned that when he became fire chief, it was scary … because you’re taking that risk,” Montoya said.” But he felt that it made him a better fire chief.”
Mayor Jack Torres, who requested that the council pass the ordinance, said the fire chief will still be nominated by the mayor after a standard interview process, and ratified by the council, but will have more job protection. He said the town’s recent posting of the position didn’t attract as many applicants as he would have liked. Torres said some feedback he got indicated candidates were reluctant to apply, with about a year left in his previous term. “There were people that said, ‘I don’t want to take a risk that in a year a new mayor is here and I’m out, regardless of how good a job I’m doing,’” he told councilors.
Councilor Sharon Torres-Quintana asked about the ability to change the ordinance if the group doesn’t like the results. Torres said the town couldn’t change the status of someone already serving as chief, but could go back during a vacancy.
The ordinance was approved as Bernalillo seeks a new chief. Bryan Picchione has been serving as interim fire chief since earlier this spring, after Chief AJ Bonnett’s term wasn’t extended.