Bernalillo County Commissioners approve 6% salary raise for IAFS members amid discussions

The Bernalillo County Commission held an administrative meeting on May 13, 2025, where key discussions centered around salary adjustments for county employees and the negotiation process for future raises. The meeting highlighted a proposed 6% raise for IAFS members, which is subject to bargaining, drawing comparisons to a previous 10% raise approved last year.

Commissioner Bitz expressed concerns regarding the process of determining salary increases, noting that the previous raise was recommended by the HR department after implementing new software, rather than being initiated by the commission. Despite these concerns, he indicated a willingness to support the current proposal as long as negotiations remained open and the commission could ratify the outcomes.

Commissioner Frank Buck acknowledged the discomfort surrounding the situation but expressed confidence in the county manager's ability to navigate the complexities of the new system and the timing of the discussions. The commission ultimately voted in favor of the proposed salary amendment, passing it with a 4-0 vote.

Further discussions addressed the need for a deeper analysis of staffing vacancies in high-need areas, particularly in public safety. The county manager emphasized the importance of understanding why employees choose to work for Bernalillo County and how to make it an employer of choice. She committed to improving the negotiation process and ensuring that future discussions would be more strategic and inclusive.

The meeting concluded with a focus on prioritizing investments in public safety and addressing staffing challenges, setting the stage for future discussions on employee compensation and retention strategies.