Carlsbad council upholds termination of Engineer Matthew White after contested hearing

Carlsbad City Council on the motion of a council member voted to affirm the recommendation to discharge fire engineer Matthew White, upholding his termination after a lengthy special meeting that included witness testimony, review of an independent investigator's report and a closed-session deliberation.

The proceeding centered on a Nov. 7 response to a vehicle fire and the subsequent internal investigation. City witnesses described two strands of concern: unsafe apparatus operation on a downgraded response and statements White made afterward that colleagues interpreted as threats against Assistant Chief Brad Carlson. Fire Chief Anthony Souza told the council that the independent investigator found violations of professional-conduct and workplace-hostility rules and that, taken with prior disciplinary history, termination was recommended. "Threatening another employee is a pretty grievous action," Chief Souza said, and he described progressive-discipline steps that led administration to recommend discharge.

White and his counsel disputed the city's account. In his testimony White said the apparatus was positioned to guard against a potential rekindling at the scene and that he did not drive erratically. He denied intending to carry out physical threats and said his remarks were a description of feeling provoked rather than a plan to harm anyone: "I never said, 'I'm going to beat his ***,'" White told the council, adding that he believed he had been targeted by elements of administration and that some favorable witness statements were omitted from the investigator's report.

Several on-scene witnesses gave contrasting accounts. Firefighter Caitlin Rennie, who rode on the engine that day, testified she "did not see erratic driving" and said the apparatus "was not in an unsafe manner." Rennie also said she saw Assistant Chief Carlson attempt to close the driver-side door while White was partially in the doorway; Rennie's written statement described Carlson as pushing the door and later noting a tense expression. Other crew members who testified in White's defense described him as technically capable and said department culture had produced friction and, in their view, a double standard in how complaints were handled.

City Manager Wendy Austin, who served as the predetermination hearing officer, told council she reviewed the audio and documentation from the December predetermination hearing and concluded the record supported the department's recommendation. The council then authorized a closed session under the New Mexico Open Meetings Act to discuss limited personnel matters; after returning to open session the council voted to affirm the discharge recommendation. The motion to affirm was moved by Council Member Rodriguez and seconded by Council Member Foreman; recorded votes were unanimous in favor.

The council did not alter the city manager's decision at the meeting. The decision concludes the administrative appeal heard by council; the record reflects that the city had engaged an outside investigator, provided copies of investigator findings and witness statements to the parties, and held the predetermination hearing governed by city procedure. The council adjourned after the vote.

What happens next: the council's action affirms the administrative decision to terminate; the transcript and exhibits are part of the public record for this proceeding. The meeting materials included the external investigation report by Universal Investigation Services, witness statements, the collective bargaining agreement, and audio of the predetermination hearing.