Mark St. J. Couhig, news editor

The Village of Angel Fire is undergoing what Village Administrator Melissa Vossmer terms a “reorganization” in order to reduce the budget for fiscal year 2008-2009, which begins July 1.
The new plan calls for cutting six positions and revising the job descriptions of several current employees. The projected savings amount to $393,000.
Both Vossmer and Angel Fire Mayor Larry Leahy are quick to note that no one is being fired for failing to perform. Instead, as a cost-saving measure, the positions are being eliminated. The loss of a job to the persons holding those positions is a necessary consequence of the need to save money. “I think it’s unfortunate but necessary,” said Leahy.
“In downsizing, we have lost some good people, and we wish them the best.”
Vossmer noted that the belt-tightening began during the current fiscal year, as the village cut the budget by 17 percent. As a result, says Vossmer, “we are getting through this year with just a little left over.”
Regarding next year’s budget, Vossmer cities the continuing “economic doom and gloom, the housing market, the price of gasoline.” She says ”It’s very important that we have a conservative budget for next year.” Village records now indicate Gross Receipts Tax revenues are down 20 percent compared to last year. Vossmer also said it’s possible “we’ll have a bad snow year.”
She further noted that in the past year the village has cut its budget without cutting positions, but that option is no longer feasible. “I am very hopeful that my projections are wrong.”
Mayor Leahy noted, “We’re estimating. But it’s the beginning of May and no one’s turning dirt,” he said, referring to the slowdown in construction within village limits.
Vossmer asked Patti Galliher, Village Human Resources Director, and Terry Cordova, Budget Coordinator and Purchasing Agent, to conduct a thorough review of the village budget to see where cuts could be best made while “minimizing the impact to our mission of basic service delivery.” Vossmer also asked the two to come up with a plan that maximizes cross-training opportunities, consolidates positions and responsibilities, and moves existing staff to positions that are “either vacant or reflect the changing needs of the organization...”
“Our goal going into the plan for reorganization was simple; the proposed changes would not impact customer service and we would attempt to keep the elimination of jobs at a minimum,” Vossmer said.
“I was very pleased, they (Galliher and Cordova) were thorough and fair.”
The plan calls for funding severance packages for the six employees whose positions have been cut, including $10,969 for Dixie Cawthorne, the former Community Services and Tourism Director, and $4,398 for Diane Miller, Community Center Director, with smaller packages for the other four employees.
Leahy also pointed out that the Village is working pro-actively to improve the local economy, saying, “long-term we have the new Economic Development Plan.”
The plan, created by the Village and The Idea Group of Santa Fe, calls for a new, ambitious village-wide promotion and marketing effort. “We’re looking for commitments from the Chamber of Commerce and the Resort,” said Leahy. “It’s the best plan we have for expanding business...”
Vossmer noted the reorganizational plan was created “at my request, not at the request of the council and mayor,” and that “the reorganization is within my purview.”
The Village Council was scheduled to discuss the reorganization at its regular meeting, Tuesday, May 6, after the Chronicle deadline.

Finance Department
The position of Utility Billing Clerk will be eliminated. Meter Reader will move to Water Department to fill an open laborer position and continue his duties as meter reader.
Jane Salois, a part-time clerk in the Motor Vehicles Division, will move to Finance to provide billing support to the Fire Department on a part-time basis. The Accounts Manager position will be eliminated.

Police
The staffing complement will be reduced by one officer through attrition.

Motor Vehicles
The department will be open Monday through Friday, but will offer reduced hours, for example, 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Mary Belle, a part-time clerk in the department, will be offered the new part-time position, while Jane Salois will be moved to Finance.

Human Resources
The part-time cleaning position will be offered to Raymond Jaramillo, currently custodian at the Community Center, and the part-time position held by another current village employee will be eliminated.
Frank Salois will be offered the Facility Maintenance Position, reporting to Melissa Vossmer and supervised by Patti Galliher. Salois will additionally have oversight of the housekeeping function.

Fire Department
One position will be eliminated through attrition.

Public Works Administration
The full time Administrative Assistant position will be reduced to part time. The former Administrative Assistant for Public Works, and the former Administrative Assistant for Public Utilities, will be offered the opportunity to interview for the position.
John Medina, who maintains certain village vehicles, will be offered training opportunities to allow him to work on a greater variety of Village vehicles. In addition, he will be cross-trained to operate the grapple truck once he obtains a Commercial Drivers License.

Streets
The vacant position for a laborer will go unfilled.

Solid Waste
The Saturday hours at the transfer station will be reduced and one position will go unfilled.

Water/Wastewater
The administrative assistant position will be eliminated. The person holding that position will have an opportunity to interview for the part-time administrative assistant position in Public Works.
The Meter Reader will be transferred to the department as a laborer, in addition to his duties as a meter reader.

Community Development
The Global Interface Systems position will be eliminated, though some funding will remain for “part-time moderate updating” of the digital maps created by the GIS.
Frank Salois, who currently works in code enforcement, will transfer to facility maintenance.
Ben Maynes, Building Inspector, and Mark Rivera, Development Director, will pick up the code enforcement duties.

Tourism Administration
The Director of Tourism position will be eliminated. Linda Couhig, Tourism Supervisor, and Dawn Currell, Court Clerk/Asst. Tourism Department, will continue to staff the office Monday through Friday until decisions are made regarding the office.

Community Center
The Community Center Supervisor position will be eliminated.
Linda Couhig and Tracy Orr, Grants Administrator (and soon-to-be Transit Director,) will be available to assist with special functions. Other part time people may be added, if needed.

Transit
One part-time and one full time position will go unfilled. Jan Schyberg, Transit Supervisor, will report to Tracy Orr.