Taos County creates grant-funded Economic Mobility and Opportunity Officer

Taos County commissioners voted unanimously to approve the creation of a grant-funded Economic Mobility and Opportunity Officer who will report to the county manager and work to align health, human services and economic development efforts across the county.

County staff presented the job description and terms of the ICMA Economic Mobility Special Assistance grant. Brent Taramillo, presenting the item, said the grant originally anticipated a salary of $80,000 but the county and ICMA agreed the position may be paid at $77,500 to fit Taos County’s pay structure; staff set the position at pay grade 17 (hourly $37.26). The grant covers salary and benefits for 2.5 years, and the host community is responsible for benefits under the signed grant agreement, Taramillo said.

The role is described as a senior-level officer charged with coordinating existing health, human services and economic development programs, leading partner collaboration, and developing a strategic plan intended to improve economic mobility and community health outcomes. Taramillo said the officer would work alongside the county’s 100% Taos County initiative and that staff will explore longer-term funding or structural changes—such as expanding or renaming a county department—if recommended after the grant period.

Taramillo also said that ICMA requires special training; if the commission approved the position staff planned to fill the role by Dec. 10 and to send up to three staff (including Zach Cordova) to ICMA training in El Paso. He said the position would report directly to the county manager as required by the grant.

Commissioner Brush raised a concern about wording in the job description that appeared to require familiarity with the county’s accounting software, which she said could unintentionally exclude outside candidates. "It almost sounds like the person...already needs to be familiar with some of our systems," Brush said, asking whether the item was intended as a prequalification. County HR and staff responded that the language carried over from a template and is meant to describe systems the hire will use, not a mandatory prequalification; HR staff said the county will train the hire on its systems.

Commissioner Vigil asked whether the officer would be placed under an existing department such as HCAP; staff said the grant requires the position to report to the county manager but that, after 2.5 years, staff would return with a recommendation on whether to integrate the role into an existing department. Commissioners also questioned where the officer would be located; staff said the county is short on office space, identified potential offices (assessor's office, an agricultural building suite) and said the position could work from home if necessary. Taramillo said staff will resolve workspace and return to the commission with details.

The motion to approve the job description and create the position was made, seconded, and approved by roll call with all commissioners voting yes. Finance staff will process budget adjustments if the position is filled and proceed with required training and hiring steps.

The commission proceeded to other agenda items and adjourned at 9:19 a.m.