Aztec Commission Names Jason Cortez Mayor Pro Tem, Approves Budget, Library, Infrastructure

Jason Cortez was newly seated as mayor pro tem at the Aztec City Commission meeting held March 3–4, 2026, a session city leaders described as including routine operational approvals and several funding items intended to support core services. Mayor Mike Padilla participated in the meeting, according to the meeting report.

The meeting report did not list line-item amounts or resolution numbers for the funding measures; those specifics and vote tallies were not included in the excerpted materials. City Clerk Karla Sayler is identified in past minutes as the custodian of official records; the full March 3–4, 2026 agenda and minutes will be needed to confirm each funding action and the process for seating Jason Cortez.

Earlier Aztec Commission records provide procedural context. The January 28, 2025 minutes record that, “Mayor Michael A Padilla, Sr called the meeting to order at 6:07 pm at Aztec City Hall 201 W Chaco Aztec NM 87410.” Roll call that night listed Mayor Michael A. Padilla, Sr., Mayor Pro-Tem Kenneth George, Commissioner Jim Crowley (via Teams), Commissioner Colby King and Commissioner Austin Randall. City Manager Jeff Blackburn, City Attorney Nann Winter and City Clerk Karla Sayler were also present. The consent agenda that night included Resolution 2025-1470 approving city disbursements and deposits through Dec. 31, 2024; Special Budget Resolution 2025-1471 for FEMA Grant LPDM-2024-003 City of Aztec Flood Mitigation; and Resolution 2025-1472 amending governing body meetings and public notice requirements, among other items. The minutes record that items D and E were pulled for discussion and that the remaining consent items carried on a five to zero vote. On the Solid Waste item, the minutes note, “MOVED by Mayor Pro Tem George to APPROVE Solid Waste Collections Services Agreement RFP 2019-672 Amendment Four SECONDED by Commissioner Crowley” though the excerpt does not include the final roll call outcome. Citizen comment included Joe Hubbard of 806 Ute Avenue raising concerns about the future sale of the old Masonic Lodge.

A meetings roundup published separately lists an April 14 commission meeting at 6 p.m., noting that, “The City Commission chooses a mayor and a mayor pro-tem following every election.” That schedule includes an agreement with the San Juan Basin Disc Golf Club to operate a city course at Tiger Park and a possible vote to terminate an agreement with San Juan County CrimeStoppers; the roundup states, “This move comes after the executive director was fired and charged with embezzlement.” The roundup also provides phone access for the meeting: “People wishing to attend the City Commission meeting can do so by calling 1-866-899-4679 and using the access code 270-369-797.” The same summary reports that in March Aztec voters elected former mayor Michael Padilla Sr. to a new term and returned Commissioner Austin Randall to a second term.

Available records contain conflicting listings for who is the current mayor and mayor pro-tem. The January 28, 2025 minutes list Mayor Michael A. Padilla, Sr. and Mayor Pro-Tem Kenneth George; the March 3–4, 2026 meeting report names Jason Cortez as newly seated mayor pro tem with Mayor Mike Padilla participating; a separate meetings roundup lists Victor Snover as current mayor and Rosalyn Fry as mayor pro-tem. To reconcile those differences and to obtain vote totals, contract terms and specific budget, library and public works items referenced in the March meeting report, the city’s official minutes and the March 3–4, 2026 meeting packet should be obtained from City Clerk Karla Sayler. Pending review of those records, the commission’s recent actions indicate leadership assignments and funding priorities remain in play as the body approaches the April 14 session.