Mondragon receives contract renewal

Clovis Mayor David Lansford feared if every city commissioner commented on how valuable city manager Ray Mondragon is to Clovis, Thursday’s commission meeting would last all night.

Blanketed by a flurry of praise on commission row, Mondragon on Thursday accepted a contract renewal as the Clovis city manager. The contract allows him to be city manager as an at-will city employee until he either quits or gets fired, said Don Clifton, the city’s finance director.

He will make $95,000 annually and will be a city employee instead of an independent contractor, making him eligible for city benefits and insurance. As an independent contractor, he made $104,507 annually, the extra money allocated to cover for loss of benefits and additional taxes associated with being an independent contractor.

For the first three years as city manager, Mondragon chose to work as an independent contractor, which allowed him to collect his pension from the Clovis Police Department, where he worked for 27 years including two as police chief. But due to a recent change by the Public Employee Retirement Association, Mondragon will be able to collect his pension and be a city employee.

“I was one of those who before I was on the city commission asked ‘What does that city manager do to make all that money?’ Commissioner Fred Van Soelen told Mondragon at Thursday’s meeting. “I’ll tell you right now most people have no idea the amount of work he puts in.”

Commissioner Kevin Duncan praised Mondragon’s efforts as city manager, and wanted to refute any suggestions that he is overpaid.

“Those who are out there who think he is a high-paid employee for the amount of work and the amount that we pay him I totally disregard,” Duncan said. “I think he does a wonderful job for this community and I think he’s well, well worth the pay.”

Commissioner Randall Crowder added: “I’ve become astounded at the reputation you carry when I go to Albuquerque, Santa Fe and Las Cruces. I don’t believe I’ve ever met a better communicator...”

After Crowder shot Mondragon some praise, Lansford added: “We don’t want to be here all night,” joking about the time it would take if every commissioner commented on Mondragon’s work ethic.

Mondragon thanked the commission and said he’s up for future challenges.

“I’ll take full responsibility because the buck stops here,” he said.