By Mary Alice Murphy

In a special meeting held Tuesday morning, Feb. 28, 2017, the Grant County Commission met for the purpose of approving a resolution adopting a position classification schedule and compensation plan for Grant County, New Mexico.

District 5 Commissioner Harry Browne thanked the treasurer and assessor for their extensive comments in writing and talking to him about the plan.

"It is an incredibly complicated process," Browne said. "I know how tough it is to be fair, but I'm satisfied this was an adequate process. I am hopeful there will be room to include your comments in future reviews. There will be an annual review, correct?"

County Manager Charlene Webb said the usual recommendation is to review every two years, "but I believe an annual review is more appropriate."

Browne asked about the timing for full implementation of the schedule and plan.

"Those below the minimums will be brought up to the minimum on July 1," Webb said. "This is for only those below the minimum. We will look in future years to bring up other wages."

District 4 Commissioner Billy Billings said he has heard the concerns. "I hope the division is at its maximum. We can look at (the plan) in future years for adjustment. I've never known anyone who says he is overpaid. Some are paid well. This is a place to start."

Commission Chairman Brett Kasten said: "I think it's an important step forward. Up to now, salaries were set by the managers and were all over the place. This could be a 10-year plan. To implement it fully would take $700,000 to $800,000, and the county does not have that much lying around, so it will take a while." To the treasurer and assessor, he said: "I read your documents, and I understand them. It is not the commission's place to set salary. We are approving policy here."

District 3 Commissioner Alicia Edwards amended her original motion to include at the end of the wording, "consistent with budgetary constraints."

She spoke from prepared notes and thanked the treasurer, assessor and county manager "for spending so much time with me helping me understand the reason and intent behind this study. I also want to thank Chairman Kasten and his fellow commissioners for insisting this study be doneG