Belen provides evidence in AG investigation

May 20, 2009

The City of Belen overnighted evidence to the Office of New Mexico’s Attorney General on Friday as part of an ongoing investigation into the 90-day retirement of Municipal Judge Kathy Savilla and her appointment back to the bench.

The Open Meetings Act investigation stems from a complaint filed in December by the community group Our Tomorrow: For a Better Belen. In the complaint, the group alleged city officials violated state law during the appointment of Savilla’s temporary replacement.

In late April, the attorney general’s office requested evidence from the City of Belen, including the city’s policy regarding the Open Meetings Act, the notice, agenda and minutes from the meeting at which Savilla’s temporary replacement was appointed, and the notice, agenda and minutes from the meeting at which Savilla herself was appointed.

(Valencia! redacted a signature.)

The City of Belen never held a public meeting for the appointment of the temporary municipal judge, even though City of Belen Municipal Code and state law would have required it.

Savilla appointed her temporary replacement prior to her retirement, contrary to a requirement in municipal code that states the appointment must be made by the mayor with approval of the city council. City officials have never explained why Savilla was allowed to appoint the temporary municipal judge.

The Valencia County News-Bulletin suggested back in December that the city was attempting to keep the retirement quiet.

The deadline for the city to respond to the attorney general’s evidence request was Monday.

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