Pay raises coming for county officials

Albuquerque, NM (KKOB) — New Mexico county officials have not gotten a pay raise since 2018. Those counties wanting to lock in any salary increases must be approved before Jan. 1st, in order to be applied to officials beginning new terms. State law bars elected officials from getting mid-term raises. At least 16 counties, including Bernalillo, have approved salary increases for county officials this month. Bernalillo County commissioners voted 3-2 this month to boost their own pay by 15%, including the county’s clerk, treasurer, sheriff, assessor and probate judge. However, Commission Chairwoman Barbara Baca said an independent commission should be tasked with the job of determining pay rates for county officers.