Alamogordo City Commission Agenda Fuels Speculation of Imminent Leadership Shakeup Amid City Manager Turmoil

Alamogordo, NM – February 21, 2026 – A routine agenda item for the February 24 City Commission meeting has ignited speculation of a potential effort to oust Acting City Manager Dr. Stephanie Hernandez, possibly leading to costly litigation and taxpayer-funded settlements tied to actions by Mayor Pro Tem Josh Rardin and aligned commissioners.

Authorities outside of local government have confirmed an EEOC complaint and investigation notice issued to the city but declined to release details.

Former city leaders speculate Rardin and allies, including Commissioner Stephen Burnett, are targets, based on a history of complaints and investigations during their tenures.

The agenda, posted on the CivicClerk portal, includes an executive session under NMSA 10-15-1(H)(2) for “limited personnel matters” related to the city manager role—a move initiated by Rardin. 

Former commission members and executives suggest it could result in an effort by Rardin and his allies to pressure for Hernandez’s removal and an interim appointment, with whispers in business circles pointing to former City Manager Robert Stockwell, allegedly championed by Commissioner Pattillo (who allegedly has past family ties to him), despite Stockwell’s 1997 termination, 2016 rejected bid to come back, and more recent California controversies during his tenure as city manager. 

Speculation from prior leaders and business sources suggests the push arises from ruffled feathers with certain business associations losing influence, a shift from insider favoritism, and possible resistance to appointing the city’s first female permanent city manager given all interviewees are men. Sources claim Rardin, Burnett, and the “golf course trio” aim to gut departments like planning, development, inspections, and project management (sparing finance), amid dissatisfaction with scrutiny of business funding, LEDA grants, building standards alignment with Las Cruces, and a perceived excess focus on MainStreet revitalization despite its $7 million in 2025 private investments.

The session, requiring a roll-call vote, follows regular proceedings at 6:30 p.m. in the Donald E. Carroll Commission Chambers. Sources indicate it could lead to a public vote ousting Hernandez, a lifelong resident with a Ph.D. and successes in fiscal reforms, grants, infrastructure, public safety tech, and military ties and having served as "acting city manager" for 27 months. 

The city’s manager search, in its third round since 2024, remains stalled by finalist withdrawals and  allegations of bias. The three prior candidates are recalled for second interviews March 3-6. Reports show Hernandez scored highest in round-one assessments but lower from Rardin-tied members, suggesting bias. Per previous members of the commission this would not be the first such accusation of bias or harassment by Rardin.

Tensions rose in January 27 and February 10 meetings, with Rardin alleging breaches of confidentiality around finalist pullouts (Dana Schoening, Jerry Flannery) and Stockwell advocacy. Media traced details to Rardin-Burnett networks, not internal leaks. Rardin and Burnett’s “witch hunt” for staff or commission leaks overlooks New Mexico’s Whistleblower Protection Act (NMSA §§ 10-16C-1 to 10-16C-6), shielding employees reporting wrongdoing, including to the press.

Commissioners directing staff, beyond the manager violates NMSA § 3-14-12(C) under the Commission-Manager Act, risking invalid decisions, Open Meetings Act challenges, Governmental Conduct Act violations, penalties, and referrals to authorities. Affected staff may seek WPA remedies like damages for harassment or reinstatement if terminated.

Taxpayer and citizen fears of retaliation against Hernandez—potentially violating Title VII and the New Mexico Human Rights Act—grow due to timing allegedpost-EEOC notice and Rardin’s session role, per legal experts.

The city has spent over $1 million in the past decade on settlements tied to oversteps by Rardin, Burnett, former Commissioner Al Hernandez, and others per multiple sources previously involved with city political and executive leadership. Pending IPRA requests seek more details and will be released soon. 

Emails to Rardin remain unanswered after 72 hours.

Burnett has previously dismissed engagement, calling platforms “social media” despite our status in the local online news association.

Al Hernandez denies talks with seated commissioners concerning the city manager search. Business sources suggest he’s aligned with Rardin when parcing language he has used about cutting the red tape for new businesses and developers; his potential District 5 appointment Tuesday could reveal rather the speculation is true or not. 

Questions to the city executives stress executive confidentiality, with decisions needing open votes per the Open Meetings Act

Residents are urged to attend the public meeting and comment in public comments on Tuesday. 

A leadership shift could spur lawsuits over fairness and retaliation, diverting funds from roads and water upgrades

Commissioners aligned with Rardin should heed the warnings of Otero County’s financial woes as a caution against ongoing “shenanigans.”

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