Taos County commissioners approve meeting rules, statewide openness policy and staff nominations; Ron Mascarenhas named chair

Taos County commissioners unanimously approved a set of governance resolutions and appointed county representatives to several regional boards during their regular meeting on Jan. 7, 2025.

The commission voted to adopt Resolution 2025-1, establishing public meeting procedures pursuant to the New Mexico Open Meetings Act, and Resolution 2025-2, adopting policies and procedures for the conduct of county commission meetings. Commissioners also approved Resolution 2025-3 appointing members to the Taos County Board of Adjustment and Resolution 2025-4 appointing the 2025 Taos County Planning Commission. In addition, the panel approved a resolution appointing members to the county DWI Planning Council (recorded as 2024-5 in meeting materials).

Why it matters: The motions set the commission’s procedural rules and confirm local representatives to boards that make or advise on land-use, health and regional economic and transportation issues. Adopting meeting rules clarifies notice and location procedures for the public and staff.

County staff member Brent Latamil presented Resolution 2025-1 to the commission and said the document contains no substantive changes to the Open Meetings Act and that the commission should continue holding its meetings on the first and third Tuesdays at 9 a.m. He suggested rotating some meetings around the county, “at least once a quarter,” to reach northern and southern areas of the county.

Brett Adamian, identified in the record as a staff member, told commissioners that Resolution 2025-2 reflects rules adopted several years ago and that staff had not changed its substance; commissioners voted to adopt it on the motion and second recorded in the minutes.

The commission also handled a slate of appointments and officer selections for 2025. Commissioner Ron Mascarenhas was nominated and appointed chair for 2025. Commissioner Miguel Romero was nominated and appointed vice chair. Commissioners approved members and alternates to multiple regional and county boards, including: the Enchanted Circle Council of Governments (IGC), the Taos County Economic Development Council (TCEDC), the North Central New Mexico Economic Development District (NCNMEDD), the Northern Area Workforce Board, the Taos County Cooperative Weed Management Area Board, and the Holy Cross Medical Center Nominating Committee.

Several staff presenters provided background for specific boards. A county staff member identified as Rachel reviewed the proposed planning commission roster and noted most members were continuations from 2024 and that the land-use regulations do not require assignment of planning commissioners to specific districts. Adam Kirk (who called roll for several votes) is recorded in the minutes performing the clerk’s routine roll-call duties.

Votes at a glance

- Resolution 2025-1 (public meeting procedures pursuant to the New Mexico Open Meetings Act): Motion by Commissioner Behel; second by Vice Chair Romero; approved on roll call (unanimous). Presented by staff member Brent Latamil.

- Resolution 2025-2 (policies and procedures for commission meetings): Motion by Commissioner Romero; second by Commissioner Vigil; approved on roll call (unanimous). Presented by staff member Brett Adamian.

- Resolution 2025-3 (appointments to Taos County Board of Adjustment): Motion by Commissioner Vigil; second by Vice Chair Romero; approved on roll call (unanimous). Presented by county staff (Land Use/Planning).

- Resolution 2025-4 (appointments to Taos County Planning Commission): Motion by Commissioner Romero; second by Vice Chair Romero; approved on roll call (unanimous). Presented by staff member Rachel.

- Resolution 2024-5 (appointment of DWI Planning Council members): Motion by Commissioner Hillel; second by Commissioner Brush; approved on roll call (unanimous). Presented by staff member Norma Romero (as recorded).

- Selection of chair and vice chair for 2025: Chair — Ron Mascarenhas (nominated from the floor; approved); Vice Chair — Miguel Romero (nominated and approved). Nominations and roll calls are recorded in the minutes and were approved unanimously.

What commissioners said and requested

- Brent Latamil noted staff will continue to follow the Open Meetings Act and suggested hosting regular meetings in different parts of the county periodically to improve accessibility.

- Rachel (planning staff) said the proposed planning commission roster largely mirrors 2024 membership, named continuing members, and clarified that land-use regulations do not require district-specific assignments for those seats.

Process notes and next steps

- The commission confirmed its regular meeting schedule will remain the first and third Tuesday of each month at 9 a.m. in the commission chambers, with the possibility of holding occasional meetings elsewhere in the county subject to notice and clerk availability.

- Appointees and alternates to each board will serve as recorded in the resolutions; the minutes show unanimous roll-call approvals for the items listed above.

Ending: The commission moved on to awards and routine business after the approvals; no public comments were recorded on these agenda items during the meeting.