LAS CRUCES >> One of the city of Las Cruces' goals in its Strategic Plan is to strive for the goal of being "The Employer of Choice."

Based on statistics that have helped city government officials determine demographics of its employees, that appears to be a goal that's being met.

"I've got friends who work for the city, and from what I've heard from them, I've got to admit I'm a little envious," said Las Crucen April Palacios, an administrative assistant. "They (city government) pay their employees pretty good. I'm impressed with the benefits they're offered. For me, it would be hard to pass up a (job) offer from the city, if it ever came."

The average city employee earns an annual total compensation of $66,946.04, according to a study. Broken down, that total compensation includes an average yearly salary of $48,698.28, or $936.50 a week, and $18,247.76 in benefits, such as health insurance and retirement contributions.

It's even better for city public safety employees. The average annual compensation package for police is $88,975.28, and Fire Department personnel earn, on average, $83,980.77 a year. Most, if not all of those employees, are represented by unions.

"I can't really say where we exactly stack up with other entities throughout the area," said Andre Moquin, Human Resources Director for the city of Las Cruces. "But, we would like to believe we're favorably positioned where employee salaries are concerned,

"We believe the market drives the pay."

Currently, the city has slightly less than 1,400 employees. City Manager Robert Garza has said he doesn't believe city government is going to increase the number of people it employs. Since 2008, through natural attrition -- mostly retirement -- the number of city employees has decreased. Five years ago, there were more than 1,400 city employees.

But retirement, through age, is at least a bit away for most employees. The study shows most employees range in ages from 31 to 60. In particular, the average age of a city employee is 43.32 years old.

But age isn't always a factor in decisions about retirement. The study shows 66 city employees from 61 to 70 years old, and six who are between 71 and 80.

"Our oldest full-time employee is 79," Moquin said. "Although not included in these totals, the city does have some contract employees who are even older."

City employees have been at their jobs for an average of 8.57 years. The study revealed that many have six years or less.

Moquin said retirement benefits for state public employees, who are able to collect those benefits after working 25 years, does factor into the time employees will work for the city. But that isn't the only consideration.

"Depending on terms of their employment, and what their benefits package allows, some would take advantage of that 25-year time limit," Moquin said. "But that isn't always the case. There's other factors, other variables to be considered."

Perhaps a bit interesting, is that the average total compensation package for managerial and support employees is lower than the average for all city employees. Managerial and support personnel earn an average total compensation package of $63,603.81, compared to the $66,946.04 for all employees.

Blue collar city employees have an average total compensation package of $50,701.59.

"The city has made a commitment to offer total compensation packages at a rational level," Moquin said. "While other organizations have had, in some instances, to cut total compensation, the city has been fortunate to have sound fiscal management."

Mayor Ken Miyagishima has said it is important that city government be competitive in trying to fill its open job positions.

"We've got to do what we can to be able to recruit and retain the best possible employees we can," Miyagishima said. "In an ideal situation, we would want people saying they want to come work for the city because the salary and benefits we offer are good. We've got to continue to do everything we can to achieve that goal. We want the city to be the employer of choice."

Steve Ramirez may be reached at 575-541-5452.