TAOS— By unanimous vote, the Taos County Commission on Tuesday removed the "interim" status from Julia Valerio's helmsmanship of county government and appointed her full-time county manager.
She becomes the second woman to assume that post. The first, Agnes Oakeley, resigned last May in a dispute with the commission and was replaced by Valerio as acting manager, who was then appointed as interim manager in October.
No newcomer to the intricacies of local government, Valerio is a 25-year veteran of Taos County government and has served in several different capacities over the years. She had been appointed by different commissions as interim county manager on several occasions to assure a smooth transition between managers.
Valerio will be the county's sixth manager over the last 10 years. Her salary as manager is $92,700.
Valerio was chosen for the job after the commission previously approved amending its hiring ordinance to dispense with advertising the county manager's position.
County Attorney Sammy Pacheco said the commission didn't want to go through the advertising and interview process "because they felt Julia was the right person for the job."
Commission Chairman Charlie Gonzales, noting that the county is at a critical crossroads as it moves forward with constructing a new justice/administration/-detention complex, said he believed Valerio was equal to the task ahead.
"I think we can move forward now and I feel very confident with her abilities to handle the job," he said.
Commissioner Gabe Romero said it was "about time she was given the office title officially."
"I've worked with Julia in one capacity or another since 1995 and she has always done an excellent job and accomplished all the tasks given to her. I am pleased to recommend her as the official county manager."
"Now that I've got the actual title and the authority that goes with it, I think that will come more quickly and will help me to run a tighter ship," Valerio said.
Valerio said her top priorities will be to fill two long-standing open positions, for human resources director and general services director, along with working with the county finance department and others to come up with some creative ways to raise an additional $8 to $10 million to complete the funding necessary to build, equip and furnish the new complex.
"I want to be more visible with all departments and employees and to work together with them to provide responsive and efficient government services for the people," she said.
