Tonight the Bernalillo County Commission will take up - as it does every two years - County Manager Thaddeus Lucero's employment contract. After a review of the contract, we have to admit that it's a swweeeet deal.
The county manager basically runs the day to day county administration with direction from the County Commission. For his service to the county, Mr. Lucero will receive $150,000 for the period of September 20, 2009 through September 19, 2010 at which time the manager's compensation jumps to $162,500. And it gets better...
Should the county commission approve a pay raise for "full-time regular unclassified employees," the county manager would receive the same percentage pay increase. No, we're not done yet...
Lucero in his role as county manager will have both employer and employee P.E.R.A contributions paid for by the county. In addition, his travel expenses, registration fees, private office, vehicle, expense account, administrative assistant, and professional societies memberships all picked up by the county. And there's more...
Under the terms of the county manager's contract, Lucero receives 6 hours of sick leave per pay period convertible to annual leave upon termination, 40 leave days per year, and 3 personal holidays a year all of which can be carried forward "from year to year without limitation." Don't worry, despite the apparent lack of leave (that's sarcasm) Lucero also gets paid for all county recognized holidays.
Did we mention healthcare? Well... it's in there too.
Like we said... It's a sweet deal that guarantees an 8% pay increase in the second year and pretty much picks up every other possible expense including retirement all at a time of high unemployment and increasing governmental revenue shortfalls.
In light of the current economic status, we wonder how the county commission can justify a guaranteed pay increase. Here's another little problem... county receipts are down and spending is up. Shouldn't the county manager be subject to a pay reduction if revenue shortfalls force the county to reduce compensation for its other employees through pay reductions or furloughs? We'd think so, but then again we're not getting $312,500 in guaranteed money with just about everything else in our lives paid for.
The county commission tends to fly under the radar. If this were the city, you can bet there'd be hell to pay.
----- Update -----
It didn't take but a few moments for our County Eyes to chime in with one very important factoid. County employees have not had a raise in two years, yet this new county manager contract includes a programed 8% raise in addition to a raise this year.
We understand that the county is suffering from a drop in revenues that require adjustments to spending. But shouldn't the county manager suffer from the same economic realities? We're just sayin'...
11 comments:
Another cop becomes a criminal. I wonder how many of his cop buddies are criminals that just haven't been caught yet.
The County is a Joke. Every person on the Commission should never be elected to another office.
Hmmmm..... Thaddeus Lucero......
I wonder (if any or at all) which court cases are Thaddeus Lucero's from below. Does anybody know Taddeus's date of birth? There is one court case below that is a citation for parking in handicap space. This could not be the same Thaddeus Lucero.... so, does anybody know if the County Manager with the sweet deal was born in 1957 and the same one as listed below?
List of Defendants by Name: LUCERO THADDEUS
Court Case# Case Title - STATE VS. Defn. DOB Judge Status Booking#
TR1414001 LUCERO THADDEUS 1957 Barbara A. Brown Closed 0
TR373504 LUCERO THADDEUS 1957 Judith K Nakamura Closed 0
TR3662805 LUCERO THADDEUS 1957 Victor E Valdez Closed 0
CR1726406 LUCERO THADDEUS 1957 Kevin L Fitzwater Dismissed 0
Actually, the charge was for failing to stop for the blind or handicap, but the trial court dismissed the case. Is this the same Thaddeus Lucero with the Sweet Deal or not? What is the birth date of the Thaddeus Lucero being given the sweet deal by the County? Just wondering....
STATE OF NEW MEXICO VS. LUCERO THADDEUS
Charge Details...........
Case#: TR3662805 Filed: 06/17/2005 Judge Division: 1-Victor E Valdez
Defendant: LUCERO THADDEUS Year of Birth: 1957
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Charge# 1: STOP FOR BLIND OR HANDICAPPED Statute: 8-2-3-4 Chrg Type: Traffic
Abbrev. Desc.: BLD HND Amended To: Amended Statute:
Citation No.: 0220015684616 Violation Date: 06/14/2005 Viol. Time: 18:40
Viol. Location: 1500 4TH NW Comment: Plea:
Vehicle Speed: 44 Speed Limit: 30
Trial Date: 07/18/2005 Trial Finding: Dismissed Event Type: TA-Traffic Arraignment
Officer Name: HINDI STEVE Man#: 215 Agency: APD
MANDATORY COURT
He's got another sweeeet deal as a board member of the Atrisco Heritage Foundation.
You all are all pathetic. Thaddeus is nothing compared to Manny Aragon and you all should be ashamed. its not his fault you all are unhappy lonely people. Look at yourselves before you start smearing the reputation of a hard working man, who has worked his way up from nothing and who has changed the County into an accountable, more civil service oriented entity who works hard for the people in the County and County employees.
Thaddeus is a criminal! His position should be an elected position. The Feds should investigate him and the county!
I don't know Thaddeus, what is his prior job experience... college education?
He is a person that will defend his power at the expense of people in the community.
He came from nothing, but when he arrived at power, he used it to protect his interests. The lives of the people he works for have not improved. His life has.
He is not like Aragon. Aragon lived a modest life and gave to his community. That was until he felt it was his turn to get paid. It was at that time that Aragon crossed the line.
Lucero does not have to break the law to put money into his pocket. He manipulates the Commission to increase his salary, give him a car, pay for his retirement, and send him to conferences (vacation). It might be legal, but it is no less corrupt.
Aragon left a legacy and he will be remembered for both the good and the bad. Lucero will be forgotten once the Commission has the resolve to send him packing.
COUNTY EMPLOYEES NEED TO RAISE HELL AT THE COMMISSIONERS MEETING!!!! STRIKE STRIKE
I HAD TO GO INSPECT FIRE TRUCKS WITH THIS PIECE OF CRAP IN WISCONSIN, HE HAD NO REASON TO COME, EXCEPT GET A FREE LEATHER JACKET.
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