In wake of nepotism scandal, commissioners seek more oversight

Posted at: 07/30/2010 7:23 PM
By: Cristina Rodda, Eyewitness News 4

Some Bernalillo County Commissioners want to shake things up.  They're asking the County Manager to look at restructuring some departments so there is more oversight.

It's in response to the nepotism scandal in the public safety division.

County Commissioner Alan Armijo said big changes are needed and the county manager needs some help to make sure problems get addressed.

"I  think it's too much for manager to be in charge of too many department's personally, where they report to him directly," Armijo said.

County Commissioners are asking County Manager Thaddeus Lucero to look at consolidating departments.  They'd also like the department heads to report directly to a Deputy Manager instead of to Lucero.  Armijo believes the move would give Lucero better oversight.

"Sometimes the managers, when you have too many departments under you as well as five commissioners (to answer to), something may not be taken care of as well," said Armijo.

A county spokesperson said the county manager has not decided if he will do this.

Commissioner Armijo thinks it's a good idea especially in light of the nepotism scandal involving Deputy County Manager John Dantis and his son Jaime Dantis.

"It gave us an opportunity to see that there were things we weren't aware of and I don't think the manager was, Armijo said.

With about three-thousand county employees, Armijo believes more oversight is better.

"There's always people who don't do what they're suppose to do.  I mean that happens, it's a small percentage but even if it's less than one percent it's still a problem.  We're trying to make sure we are pro-active and trying to eliminate any future problems," he added.

Lucero was not available for comment.

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