1-28-2026 5:18pm

Alamogordo's Prolonged City Manager Search Fuels Transparency Push as 2nd Life Media Files Ongoing IPRA Requests to Release Names of All Applicants

Chris Edwards Editor

Alamogordo's Prolonged City Manager Search Fuels Transparency Push as 2nd Life Media Files Ongoing IPRA Requests to Release Names of All Applicants - 2nd Life Media AlamogordoTownNews.org

Alamogordo, NM — Amid a drawn-out national search for a permanent city manager that has seen external finalists withdraw and internal dynamics draw scrutiny, 2nd Life Media AlamogordoTownNews.org has submitted an Inspection of Public Records Act (IPRA) request for the release of all resumes currently being considered. The outlet plans to submit similar requests weekly until a permanent applicant is designated, underscoring the critical need for ongoing transparency in this high-stakes hiring process.

New Mexico's IPRA (NMSA 1978, §§ 14-2-1 et seq.) mandates broad public access to government records, including job applications for public positions. The New Mexico Attorney General's IPRA Compliance Guide (Ninth Edition, 2024) affirms that resumes and applications are factual documents—not exempt "matters of opinion" in personnel files (§ 14-2-1(C)) or letters of reference (§ 14-2-1(B))—and must be disclosed upon request, with only limited redactions for protected personal identifiers under § 14-2-1.1. The law applies from the moment records are received, without requiring a finalist stage or appointment to trigger access.

This right to know extends to both the public and commission members themselves, ensuring informed oversight of who is vying to lead a city with an annual budget exceeding $80 million and major responsibilities in operations, economic development, and public services.

The ongoing search has been marked by controversy, including the withdrawal of finalists Dana Schoening and Jerry Flannery after a January 20, 2026, executive session, leaving Acting City Manager Dr. Stephanie J. Hernandez as the sole remaining viable candidate in some reports. Public comments at the January 27, 2026, commission meeting urged her permanent appointment, citing her successes in fiscal stability, grant acquisition, and leadership.

Commissioner Josh Rardin (Mayor Pro Tem, District 4) has shown notable discomfort with aspects of transparency in recent meetings. He publicly addressed—and appeared frustrated by—media reports from 2nd Life Media detailing finalist withdrawals, alleged insider preferences (including pushes for controversial former City Manager Robert Stockwell), and potential leaks from closed executive sessions. While executive sessions are allowed for limited personnel discussions under the Open Meetings Act, IPRA ensures applicant identities and resumes remain subject to disclosure to promote accountability.

Non-compliance with IPRA in similar contexts has led to significant repercussions:

In 2016, Las Cruces initially withheld city manager applicant names and many applications during an active search, citing confidentiality concerns and applicant deterrence. After challenges from media and the New Mexico Foundation for Open Government (NMFOG), the city released portions of the records, though some remained partially redacted. The case illustrated that cities cannot broadly withhold applicant information without a valid exemption, nor "contract away" IPRA duties via search firms.
A 2009 New Mexico Court of Appeals ruling in a Farmington-related matter rejected arguments that releasing applicant names would chill candidate pools, affirming that policy preferences do not override statutory disclosure requirements absent explicit exemptions.

The Attorney General's office continues to enforce compliance, with mechanisms for complaints, investigations, and potential court actions that can include attorney fees and costs for prevailing requestors.

As Alamogordo's search persists into 2026—with reports of insider influence and repeated executive sessions—weekly IPRA submissions by 2nd Life Media aim to ensure residents have full visibility into the applicant pool. Transparency is essential for rebuilding trust in local government, particularly in leadership roles that shape the community's future.

The three most recent resumes referenced in our prior news articles are below. The addresses and phone information was blacked out by 2nd Life Media to ensure public safety of the applicants…

Residents can file their own IPRA requests with the city's records custodian. For guidance or to report potential violations, contact the New Mexico Attorney General's Government Counsel & Accountability team or visit nmdoj.gov.

Citations:

New Mexico Inspection of Public Records Act (IPRA), NMSA 1978, §§ 14-2-1 et seq.
New Mexico Attorney General's IPRA Compliance Guide, Ninth Edition (2024), New Mexico Department of Justice, available at nmdoj.gov.
Las Cruces Sun-News coverage (May 2016): Reports on city manager application releases and confidentiality challenges.
New Mexico Court of Appeals opinion (2009 Farmington case) referenced in NMFOG analyses rejecting "chilling effect" arguments for applicant secrecy.
2nd Life Media Alamogordo Town News articles (January 2026): Coverage of January 27 commission meeting, finalist withdrawals, and search controversies (e.g., "Alamogordo City Commission Jan 27th, 2026 Overview and Commentary"; "Alamogordo at a Crossroads: The Prolonged City Manager Search...").
NMFOG statements on IPRA in municipal hiring and executive searches.
IPRA Requests