Alamogordo City Commission Held Another Closed-Door Executive Session on City Manager Hiring and Possible Litigation Amid Ongoing Transparency Complaints, Ethics Probes, and Harassment Allegations

Alamogordo, NM (May 18, 2026) — The City of Alamogordo convened a special meeting Monday evening with a narrowly focused agenda centered on executive closed session discussions. Once again, commissioners retreated behind closed doors to address “limited personnel matters (hiring of City Manager)” under NMSA 1978, § 10-15-1(H)(2) and attorney-client privileged topics related to “threatened or pending litigation” under § 10-15-1(H)(7), in which the City is or may become a participant.

Upon reconvening into open session, no specific actions, updates, or disclosures were made public regarding the executive session discussions, continuing a pattern of limited transparency that has drawn sharp criticism from residents.

Ties to Broader Controversies

This latest closed session occurs against a backdrop of intense public scrutiny over the City Commission’s handling of the City Manager position, citizen complaints alleging violations of open meetings and ethics rules, and longstanding allegations of harassment and retaliatory behavior linked to Commissioners Stephen Burnett, Josh Rardin, and Al Hernandez

Multiple citizens have filed formal complaints with the New Mexico State Ethics Commission and the Office of the Attorney General, seeking investigations into the conduct of commissioners involved in recent reversals and personnel decisions. These complaints highlight concerns over potential conflicts, lack of transparency in executive sessions, and decisions that appear to prioritize personal or political dynamics over public interest.

Past reporting has documented over $1 million in taxpayer-funded settlements tied to alleged oversteps, including issues involving Rardin, Burnett, and former Commissioner Al Hernandez. Sources close to city leadership have described patterns of behavior that have led to ethics investigations, complaints of hostile work environments, and questions about temperament and decision-making.

Public frustration has mounted over what many view as repeated use of closed sessions to shield deliberations on the City Manager search—particularly after an earlier unanimous 7-0 vote supporting a candidate that was later walked back by a bloc including Rardin, Burnett, Hernandez, and others. Witnesses and former officials have alleged visible hostility, potential leaks from executive sessions, and tactics that limit public oversight.

IPRA request continue to drag as 2 commissioners refuse to turn over private phone records from requests, who are known to have used their personal cell phones to conduct city business or calls in an effort to shield discussions and phone records from public records requests. Those noncompliant refusals will likely lead to court filings demanding transparency and a demand for civil and or possible criminal prosecution in the 12th Judicial District.

No Public Action or Disclosure—Again

As outlined in the agenda, after the executive session, the commission was slated to reconvene, read any statements from the closed session, and take any related action—all requiring roll call votes. However, consistent with recent meetings, no substantive details or decisions were shared publicly, leaving residents in the dark about progress (or lack thereof) on hiring a permanent City Manager or any litigation risks.

This approach has fueled calls for greater accountability, term limits, potential recall litigation and filings, and reforms to ensure executive sessions are not used to evade scrutiny on matters of significant public concern, such as leadership stability, potential legal liabilities, and workplace issues.

Community Calls for Transparency

Advocates for open government continue to urge the commission to prioritize transparency, road repairs, and effective governance over what they describe as political gamesmanship. With formal complaints pending at the state level, and potential the courts the pressure is building for investigations that could shed light on these interconnected issues of personnel decisions, alleged harassment, and public fund expenditures.

2nd Life Media Alamogordo Town News & KALH Radio will continue monitoring developments, including any outcomes or filing’s from AG or Ethics Commission reviews. Citizens are encouraged to attend future meetings and submit public comments to demand full disclosure where permitted by law.

Stay tuned for updates as this story develops.

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