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Doña Ana County Manager Fernando Macias will leave his job at the end of April, in a surprise development that came at the end of a lengthy executive session among the county board of commissioners Tuesday.
The commissioners did not terminate Macias, but amended his contract to end his employment more than a year and half early under terms apparently agreed to by Macias.
The county’s top executive has served for nearly six years, since Jan. 8, 2018. It was his second run in the job, having previously served from 1997 to 2000. His period in the job overlapped with his time as a state Senator from 1985 to 2000. After his work in the Legislature and at the county, he directed the Border Environment Cooperation Commission, which supported infrastructure projects along the U.S.-Mexico border. He was appointed to the Third Judicial District bench by Gov. Bill Richardson in 2006, where Macias sat as a district judge until his return as county manager.
Macias’ contract was to extend into January 2026, with an annual salary of $205,288.22.
Shortly before 11:30 a.m., the board of commissioners voted to go into closed session to discuss Macias’ annual performance evaluation and possible changes to his contract. The county manager reports directly to the elected commissioners.
The commissioners approved a change to his evaluation process in November, adding input from county elected officials, which Macias opposed, although he welcomed a change allowing comments from employees.
Over four hours later, around 3:48 p.m., they came back into open session briefly and voted to end Macias’ contract early, with no public discussion or comments about the personnel discussions. Chairwoman Susana Chaparro addressed Macias long enough to say, “Mr. Macias, thank you,” before calling for a vote.
The commissioners then unanimously approved a resolution to conclude Macias’ contract on April 30, 2024, and pay him his remaining salary through Jan. 6, 2025, in a lump sum, while continuing to pay his life and health insurance through the same date.
