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Resident alleges commissioners "betrayed" public trust over pay raises; cites "Resolution 2025 54"
Summary
A public commenter accused the Board of approving pay raises improperly, alleging discrepancies with "Resolution 2025 54," insufficient applicant pools for appointments, and cronyism; commissioners did not take action on the allegation during the meeting.
A member of the public told the Santa Fe County Board of County Commissioners that the body had "betrayed the trust of the public" by approving pay raises for itself and other elected officials and asserted the action was legally and procedurally flawed.
During the public-comment period, Chris Michels said the commission transformed an objective review of raises "into a circus" and accused staff and commissioners of providing unjustified numbers and of allowing appointments without following statutory application requirements. Michels named "Resolution 2025 54," saying "the resolution that you passed, 20 25 54, which became law ... is not the resolution that you voted for," and alleged the filed resolution differs from the version the board approved. He also alleged the board increased the membership on a body by adding two people "staffed them with friends and cronies" to meet a numeric threshold, and said the board "allowed no public input." "It is illegal," he said, and urged the board to "reflect on this and do something about it."
The board opened the comment period and received Michels' remarks; the transcript records no formal response from the board to rebut or investigate the specific allegations during this meeting. Commissioners proceeded to other agenda items immediately after public comment closed.
The transcript includes the complainant's claims and characterizations of legal and procedural failings, but does not record supporting documentary evidence, an official staff response, or any motion by the board to open an inquiry during the meeting. The matter was not placed on the record as an action item in the portions of the agenda provided in the transcript.
