After closed session commissioners ratify HR action; stop-pay for longtime employee approved

After a closed executive session Jan. 16, Val Verde County commissioners returned to open session and ratified a personnel action requested by Sheriff Joe Frank Martinez.

The sheriff asked the court to stop issuing payroll checks to Lloyd Barrera effective Jan. 16, 2026, explaining Barrera had retired after more than 40 years with the sheriff’s department. The court thanked Mr. Barrera for his service and approved the request by motion.

Separately during the meeting the court approved hiring a temporary clerk for Precinct 2 from Jan. 12 through March 31 to cover an employee on FMLA; the temporary rate was set at $17.81 per hour and the pay will come from the Precinct 2 operating budget until FMLA leave is exhausted.

What’s next: HR and payroll will process the stop-pay action for Lloyd Barrera and hire the temporary clerk under the terms approved by the court.