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Council elects Oswald as mayor pro tem, fills regional board seats
Summary
The Taos Town Council elected Councilmember Oswald as mayor pro tem (4–1) after discussing a proposed rotating schedule. The council also approved a large slate of appointments to regional boards and advisory committees, and agreed to return later to an ordinance proposal to combine Planning & Zoning and Historic Preservation commissions.
The Taos Town Council on Jan. 20 elected Councilmember Oswald as mayor pro tem after members debated a proposed six‑month rotating schedule for the position. Councilmember Oswald’s election passed on a recorded voice vote with four members in favor and one opposed.
During the deliberation, some council members raised concerns about placing leadership responsibilities in the hands of a newly seated member and suggested the council formalize any rotation policy at a later meeting. One council member said he did not feel comfortable “putting the potential of necessity of leadership into the hands of someone who is new here,” citing institutional knowledge and continuity as the rationale.
The meeting continued with an extended series of nominations and confirmations to regional boards and committees. Among the appointments were representatives and alternates to the North Central Regional Transit District, Taos Regional Landfill Board, Rio Grande Heritage Area Board, Taos County Economic Development Corporation board and several advisory boards (Library Advisory, Airport Advisory, Lodgers Tax Advisory, Finance/Audit Committee, Metropolitan Redevelopment Agency and SOP advisory board). Many nominations were approved by unanimous voice vote.
Town Manager Lupe M. Martinez told the council staff will present an ordinance in February to combine the Planning & Zoning and Historic Preservation commissions after the town experienced repeated quorum problems for both bodies; the consolidation is intended to streamline meetings and avoid delays.
What happens next: The new mayor pro tem will perform the duties of the mayor in the mayor’s absence. The appointed representatives will begin serving on their respective boards according to those boards’ schedules and bylaws. The council will revisit the mayor pro tem rotation and the draft ordinance to combine commissions at future meetings.
Quotes: “I would accept that nomination,” a council member said when nominated to serve on a regional board; Lupe M. Martinez said staff would return in February with an ordinance proposal to combine the two commissions.
