Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Staffing topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Commission approves cybersecurity, building‑services and budget‑office positions after hearings
Summary
The board approved a new information security engineer, seven community‑development building‑services positions (prioritizing two structural inspectors and one plumbing/mechanical inspector) and an additional performance and budget analyst; commissioners discussed vacancies, recruitment challenges and pay competitiveness.
Doña Ana County commissioners approved several staffing additions on March 10 to respond to cybersecurity threats, increased permitting workloads and to internalize strategic‑planning functions.
IT Director Kenny Klush described a surge in cyber activity — "700,000 threat hits a day" to the network — and asked for a higher‑level information security engineer to focus on proactive defense; the board approved the position by roll call.
Community Development requested seven new positions for the building‑services division to keep pace with permit activity tied to growth in Santa Teresa and anticipated subdivision applications (e.g., Alta Mesa master plan). Director Haynesworth prioritized two structural (building) inspectors and one plumbing/mechanical inspector as top needs; the board approved the package after discussion about 11 existing vacancies and ongoing recruitment challenges.
Performance & Budget Manager Eric Alvidrez asked for a second analyst to centralize strategic‑plan work that had been handled by an outside vendor. Commissioners said the in‑house analyst should improve alignment between department work and the board’s adopted strategic plan; the board approved the position.
Commissioners discussed retention and pay competitiveness for technical staff and asked Human Resources to review classifications and compensation to make recruitment and retention more effective.
