Doña Ana County adopts rewritten HR policy, adds employee handbook and training plan (Resolution 2026-18)

Doña Ana County commissioners voted to approve a rewritten Human Resources Policy and Procedures Manual and a companion employee handbook during their Jan. 27 meeting, adopting Resolution No. 2026‑18 and directing staff to implement training and onboarding measures tied to Workday.

Meg Haines, the county’s HR director, introduced the project and said the county contracted MGT Consulting to update the document for clarity and consistency. Rodney Crane of MGT summarized the changes: reorganizing content to separate policy from procedure, streamlining language, adding an employee‑facing handbook intended to be more engaging, and embedding links that will tie to the county’s Workday implementation. Crane said the final materials were about 66 pages and that additional links and procedural details will be completed as Workday is implemented.

Commissioners asked that the manual emphasize integrity and explicitly reference the county’s code of conduct for elected officials. Staff agreed to add integrity language, include links or references to the code of conduct and incorporate the handbook into onboarding and annual training. Haines said the handbook will be available in onboarding, orientation and online training, and that the talent-and-culture team will develop complementary online and in-person training.

A motion to approve the revised manual was moved and seconded on the record and approved by roll‑call vote; the clerk announced Resolution No. 2026‑18. The commission’s vote was recorded in favor and the board instructed HR and budget staff to incorporate implementation planning and training materials into upcoming administrative work before the next budget cycle.