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Code of Conduct review board presents biannual report; board to return amendments and market-comparison contract under review
Summary
The county’s Code of Conduct Review Board submitted a semiannual report covering Jan.–June 2025, described sworn complaint volumes and training activity, and plans to present proposed ordinance amendments Oct. 3; the board is also soliciting a vendor to perform an elected-official wage market comparison.
The Bernalillo County Code of Conduct Review Board and the county’s compliance office reported to the Board of County Commissioners on Sept. 23 on activity for the first half of fiscal 2025 and next steps on proposed code amendments.
Report highlights: Rocky Gutierrez, Chief Compliance Officer, presented the semiannual report covering Jan.–June 2025. The compliance office listed sworn complaints, advisory and formal opinions, informal inquiries, non-code complaints forwarded to departments, housing appeals, and an increased training schedule. The presentation named review board members and alternates, noted several alternate-member term expirations and a recent reappointment, and described two sworn complaint hearings with dates and final actions.
Ordinance amendments and vendor work: Gutierrez said the Review Board planned to consider final approval of proposed Code of Conduct amendments on Oct. 3 and then forward recommendations to the County Commission. The board is also pursuing a contract with a vendor to perform a market comparison on elected official wages; Gutierrez said HR and administration are assisting and that a vendor could begin work about two weeks after authorization.
Complaint transparency and process: Commissioners asked how the public can learn outcomes. Gutierrez explained that outcomes are publicly reportable, but the identity of complainants can remain confidential when complaints are filed anonymously; results that entail confidential personnel action (for classified/unclassified employees) are treated under applicable confidentiality rules. For complaints involving elected officials the proceedings are public.
Why it matters: The work will affect ethics oversight, transparency around complaint handling, and potential ordinance changes that govern elected officials and public servants.
Next steps: The Review Board expects to bring proposed Code of Conduct amendments to the commission after its Oct. 3 meeting and is proceeding to secure a vendor for the wage study; staff said it will aim to move promptly but asked commissioners to allow the board time to refine the process.
