County Commissioners Approve New Payroll Accountant Position Amid Complex Payroll Challenges

The Sandoval County Commission meeting held on August 27, 2025, focused on critical staffing and legal service issues affecting the county's operations. The meeting began with a request from County Attorney Mister Eschimen to approve contracts for outside legal services with two firms. The first firm, Ridley Audio's, has a long-standing relationship with the county and is recognized for its expertise in litigation and insurance defense. The second firm, new to the county, comes highly recommended and has extensive experience working with government entities across New Mexico. The commission unanimously approved the motion to award these contracts.

Following this, the County Manager and Finance Director addressed ongoing challenges within the payroll department. They highlighted the increasing complexity of payroll operations, which has led to high turnover among payroll supervisors. To address these issues, they proposed creating a new payroll accountant position, elevating the role from a range 7 to a range 8 pay grade. This new position would require a bachelor's degree and relevant experience, aimed at attracting a more qualified candidate to manage the complexities of payroll, especially with the upcoming implementation of the Workday software.

The commission discussed the necessity of this change, noting that the current payroll staff has struggled to keep up with the demands of the job. The Finance Director emphasized the importance of having a skilled individual who can handle the intricacies of payroll, including compliance with PERA reporting requirements. The proposal included retaining the current payroll specialist position while eliminating a lower-level clerk position, resulting in a net reduction of one position.

Commissioners raised concerns about the adequacy of the proposed salary increase of approximately $3.87 per hour to attract qualified candidates. They suggested conducting a market analysis to ensure the compensation offered is competitive within the job market. The Finance Director assured the commission that the county conducts annual compensation reviews to remain competitive.

The meeting concluded with a consensus on the need for improved succession planning and cross-training within the finance department to mitigate vulnerabilities caused by employee turnover. The commission recognized the importance of addressing these staffing challenges to ensure the county's payroll operations run smoothly and efficiently.