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Taos County creates economic development position to administer lodgers tax and short-term rental compliance
Summary
The commission approved adding a new economic development position paid from lodgers tax funds to manage the lodging tax grant and sponsorship programs, short-term rental compliance and audits; estimated salary ~$26.92/hour (~$56,000) plus benefits.
Taos County commissioners approved the creation of a new position in the Economic Development Department to administer the lodgers tax grant and sponsorship programs and to work on short-term rental compliance and audits.
Brent Jaramillo, presenting the request, said the position’s salary and benefits “will be paid out of the non promotional larger tax funding” and described duties including administering the lodgers tax grant and sponsorship programs, coordinating with finance, auditing hospitality providers and working with the planning department on short-term rental compliance. Jaramillo said the job “will also work closely with the planning department as far as the short term rentals, and we'll also do the compliance on that end of the short term rentals and do the audits.”
Commissioners discussed candidate qualifications, recruitment and funding. Commissioner Brush said the role should be a “self starter” able to “communicate clearly” and produce outreach materials. Jaramillo estimated combined promotional and non-promotional lodgers tax receipts at roughly $1,200,000 annually and said the salary is about $26.92 per hour (about $56,000) with roughly $30,000 in benefits budgeted assuming family coverage. Commissioners also asked about a requirement that new hires obtain a New Mexico driver’s license within three months; Jaramillo said that is a standard clause in job descriptions and that hiring managers and HR will handle reasonable accommodation and probationary periods.
Commissioner Ramirez moved to approve the new position; Commissioner Vigil seconded. The clerk called the roll and the motion passed by unanimous vote.
Why it matters: the position centralizes administration of lodgers tax programs, short-term rental oversight, and audits; commissioners said better oversight could increase enforcement and revenue and that the position should pay for itself through improved valuation and compliance.
Next steps: HR and the Economic Development Department will post the position and begin recruitment using county and selected external platforms; the county will budget funds from the non-promotional side of the lodgers tax for salary and benefits.
