By Mike Smith
El Rito Media

Eddy County Manager Roberta Gonzales announced her resignation after 16 months on the job, said Eddy County Commission Chairperson Bo Bowen.

During the Aug. 20 regular meeting of the Eddy County Board of County Commissioners, Bowen said Gonzales announced her intentions to leave the county manager’s position Aug. 13.

Commissioners met in a closed session for nearly one hour during the Aug. 20 regular meeting.

“The commission has accepted her letter of resignation and effective Sept. 4 will be filling the vacant roll of finance director,” Bowen said at the conclusion of the executive session.

District 5 Commissioner Sarah Cordova said Gonzales’ return to the finance office fills void when Gonzales was named county manager in March of 2023 after Allen Davis retired from the position.

Gonzales was hired as finance director of Eddy County in 2014, after working in the same position in Socorro County for five years, according to county records.

“It came down to Roberta making a personal decision for herself and for her family and the commission supports that,” Cordova said.

Bowen said the commission is looking to appoint an interim county manager in early September.

“I’ve been given the parameters to negotiate a contract for the interim (manager). If we can agree on the contract, it would look to become effective at the Sept. 3 meeting,” he said.

Cordova did not offer possible names for interim county manager when asked after the meeting by the Carlsbad Current-Argus.

She said an official job posting for a permanent county manager could take place after the interim county manager is named.

Savannah Cabezuela, Eddy County spokesperson, had no comment. She said further questions might be answered in September.

Gonzales was not available for comment after the meeting.

Stay with The Daily Press for updates.

Mike Smith can be reached via phone at 575-308-8734 or email at msmith@currentargus.com.