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Alamogordo commission retreats to closed session and agrees to begin contract talks on city manager
Summary
On March 17, 2026 the Alamogordo City Commission recessed into a closed executive session to discuss hiring a city manager, said it would begin contract negotiations with legal counsel, and took no formal public action before adjourning.
The Alamogordo City Commission recessed into a closed executive session on March 17, 2026 to discuss limited personnel matters related to hiring a city manager and said it would begin contract negotiations with the city’s legal counsel, Mayor Sharon McDonald said.
The commission invoked a statutory exemption to meet behind closed doors, citing "10 dash 15 dash 1 h 2 n m s a as amended to discuss limited personnel matters, hiring of the city manager," and approved the recess by a recorded vote of 7-0. After the closed session, the commission voted 7-0 to reconvene.
Why it matters: Hiring and contract terms for a city manager determine the executive leadership and administrative direction of city government. Moving to closed-session negotiations is a standard step in personnel matters that involve candidate privacy and legal counsel; it does not itself finalize employment terms.
During the public portion after reconvening, the mayor said the body had "agreed to enter into contract negotiation with our, legal counsel for, the contract with the, city manager." She and other members clarified that no further public action was taken at the meeting. The record repeatedly notes that the discussion was limited to direction and negotiation rather than a formal appointment or contract approval.
Votes at a glance - Approval of agenda: moved by Commissioner Mark Tapley, seconded by Commissioner Warren Robinson; passed 7-0. - Motion to recess into executive session (personnel, hiring of city manager): motion recorded and passed 7-0 (statutory authority cited: 10-15-1(H)(2) NMSA). - Motion to reconvene: passed 7-0. - Final motion to adjourn: moved and seconded on the record; meeting closed.
Next steps: The commission indicated it would proceed with contract negotiations through its legal counsel. The transcript records agreement to negotiate but does not record any public vote to appoint or to approve contract terms; those steps, if they occur, would be subject to later public action and notice.
The meeting opened with roll call and an invocation, and concluded after the commission’s procedural business.
