Socorro council approves 4-year contract, 10% one-time bonus and limited outside consulting for city manager

The Socorro City Council on Monday approved a new four-year employment agreement for the city manager that includes a one-time, immediate 10% bonus and an amendment to allow limited outside consulting under conditions set by the council.

City Manager (name as spoken in the meeting: Miss Rodarte) asked the council to amend item 7 of her employment agreement to permit outside consulting so long as such work “must not conflict or interfere with the manager’s professional responsibilities to the city,” does not relate to city business, incurs no city expense and complies with state and federal law. City Attorney Jim Marfina advised the council that personal matters are typically handled in executive session but confirmed the manager had requested the discussion be held in open session. "It's not expressly identified as a personal matter, but it's a personal matter. So the law is that that must be done by counsel in executive session, if you're going to deliver," Marfina said during the discussion.

Council Member Alejandro Garcia moved to approve a one-time 10% bonus with no salary increase, for a four-year term, and to include the requested consulting amendment; the motion was seconded and passed. The council directed staff to draft a written contract amendment consistent with the decision and return it for signature by the mayor. City Attorney Marfina said staff would prepare a final contract reflecting the council's direction.

Council members discussed establishing the contract’s evaluation process. The manager noted the contract already requires written evaluations every six months and asked the council to resume that schedule; council members agreed to implement biannual evaluations and the city clerk will distribute an evaluation form to members. Council discussion also noted the need to update the contract’s salary and deferred-compensation figures to reflect pay adjustments the manager has received since the prior addendum.

Council members and the manager emphasized that the manager’s first priority would remain the city. The manager said she believes she can perform limited HR-related consulting for outside entities without impairing her city duties. "My first priority would be the city always," she said.

The motion included authority for the mayor to sign the finalized agreement once it accurately reflected the council's decision. Following the vote the council congratulated the manager on her reappointment and the item passed.