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Bernalillo council adopts ordinance changing Fire Department governance
Summary
On June 22 the Bernalillo Governing Body approved Ordinance No. 371, moving the town toward protecting the fire chief under the personnel ordinance to improve recruitment and limit removal at the mayor’s sole discretion; the measure passed 3–1 following debate about accountability and recruitment.
The Bernalillo Governing Body on June 22 adopted Ordinance No. 371, amending Ordinance No. 230 to change the governance of the town’s Fire Department and to place the fire chief position under the town personnel ordinance rather than leaving it solely at the mayor’s pleasure.
Supporters, including Mayor Jack Torres, said the change is intended to expand the applicant pool and protect an incumbent from politically driven removal. "What I think in my mind, at least this is what I'm hoping, is that's why the applicant pool has been so thin," Mayor Torres said, arguing that candidates feared losing their job if a new mayor took office. He added that protecting the position would prevent a new mayor from simply installing a preferred candidate: "If you have a Fire Chief that's protected under the personnel Ordinance ... a new mayor just can't come in and say, 'I got my own guy, you're out of here.'"
Councilor Montoya opposed the change, saying many municipalities appoint their chiefs and that appointment creates accountability. "My point and my thoughts are that we maintain an appointed Fire Chief because it creates a sense of accountability for a position," Montoya said, referencing conversations with other municipal chiefs and the State Fire Marshal.
The ordinance was presented by Town Clerk/Administrator Ida Fierro and discussed in public hearing. Councilor Torres-Quintana moved to approve Ordinance 371; Councilor Valverde seconded. The roll-call vote recorded Councilor Valverde — Yea; Councilor Montoya — No; Councilor Torres-Quintana — Yea; Councilor Prairie — Yea, and the motion passed.
Mayor Torres said the change would not eliminate the Council’s role in confirming hires; under either system the mayor recommends a candidate and the Council must ratify hiring. He also noted that if the change does not produce the expected results the Council could later reverse the ordinance or otherwise revise hiring procedures.
Ordinance No. 371 amends the town’s prior ordinance (No. 230) governing the Fire Department; the text presented said the department is subject to funding availability and that officers may include a fire chief and subordinate officers as deemed necessary by the chief and mayor. The ordinance’s effective date and implementation steps were not specified at the meeting; Council members and staff indicated procedural follow-up on job posting and classification would be handled by administration.
