New “Chief Administrative Officer” Gary Whitehead’s contract with City of T or C

Gary Whitehead was hired during a regularly scheduled meeting on Jan. 22 as the Truth or Consequences chief administrative officer, not as the city manager, as others before him have been titled.  

The contract was signed by Whitehead on Jan. 24. Other signatories were Mayor Rolf Hechler, City Attorney Jay Rubin and City Clerk Angela Torres, but the date of their approval was not filled out on the contract. 

It’s a four year contract. The first year Whitehead will receive a $115,000 salary, with 5 percent increases each year, if his performance warrants the raise. 

Within 30 days, the city commission and Whitehead will put in writing “mutually agreed upon” performance goals. He will be evaluated each January. 

If he is let go by the city commission in the first year, Whitehead receives no severance pay. The second year he receives three months salary and in subsequent years four months salary. No severance is due if he is grossly negligent of his duties or if he breaks local, state or federal laws. 

In a prior article, https://sierracountycitizen.org/city-manager-job-will-probably-go-to-a-local/ , I pointed out that Whitehead owned a lot of land and had commercial interests that could create a conflict of interest in performing his job duties. The contract does not require him to divulge his financial or business dealings. Whitehead “can engage in outside employment,” as long as it “doesn’t interfere with his primary duties.” If a potential conflict of interest comes up, Whitehead is to “consult with his employer” before proceeding, thus making Whitehead his own ethics judge. 

Because Whitehead is salaried and on-call 24/7, he does not earn sick days or vacation days and can arrange his own time off. He does receive retirement benefits. 

Other perks include an iPhone 16 Pro “or better,” a vehicle with all costs paid except gas when he’s on leave, professional development costs, including subscriptions, courses, meetings and travel expenses. 

Whitehead’s legal exposure “arising out of or in connection with his duties,” is also covered by the city. All legal expenses, including damages or fines or settlements, will be paid by the city. If a case continues after his employment ends, he will be paid a consulting fee for his participation. 

Whitehead does not live within city limits. His residence is on New Mexico Highway 187, near Palomas Canyon. Frances Luna, a past city commissioner and publisher of the Sentinel, was instrumental in ending previous city manager Angela Gonzalez’ employment  by excoriating her in her regular column. Among other issues, Luna complained Gonzales didn’t live in T or C and wasn’t invested in the community. Evidently living in town was not not a consideration in Whitehead’s hiring. 

City residents may contact Whitehead at his city email, gwhitehead@torcnm.org, or on his cell, 575-740-7649.