A small audience attended the Archuleta Board of County Commissioners’ regular meeting on Tuesday, May 7, and up until the moment the commissioners reached item ‘E’ under New Business…
E. Consideration And Appointment Of Negotiator For County Manager Contract Renewal
The current contract for the County Manager expires in December 2024. This agenda item is to appoint one of the commissioners as the negotiator for the renewal.
Presenter: Derek Woodman
Presenter’s Title: County Manager
…the three commissioners had seemed in an agreeable mood, approving or disapproving this or that item, together, in unison.
But item ‘E’ made everyone in the room feel, I suspect, like we were eavesdropping on an awkward and unnecessarily public family argument.
The three commissioners — Ronnie Maez, Warren Brown and chair Veronica Medina — had just finished appointing Ms. Medina to negotiate a contract renewal with County Attorney Todd Weaver.
But a renewed contract for current County Manager Derek Woodman? Not such an easy decision, apparently.
Commissioner Medina asked if either of her fellow commissioners wanted to renew Mr. Woodman’s contract. The discussion of began with Commissioner Warren Brown stating his support for the contract renewal, with a brief summary of some positive accomplishments during Mr. Woodman’s watch.
Commissioner Maez responded:
“I appreciate your insights on that, Warren. I know for a fact that you and Derek are really good friends, from day one, and I wouldn’t expect you to say anything less. But I have no desire to renew the contract for Derek Woodman.”
Commissioner Medina:
“I’ve thought about this, and reviewed everything over the past year, and I also do not see the need to renew the contract for our current Manager.”
Uncomfortable… with the current Manager sitting, arms crossed, a few feet away.
I wrote an article critical of Mr. Woodman’s appointment, back in December 2021. My concern at the time centered on the fact that, in my humble opinion, too many of the people in County leadership had recently served together under Archuleta County Sheriff Rick Valdez… including Mr. Woodman, newly-elected Commissioner Warren Brown, and then-Commissioner Alvin Schaaf.
There was a also the problem that Mr. Woodman had no experience as a county manager.
I also filed a lawsuit in 2022, naming Mr. Woodman as a defendant, after he submitted to the County Clerk what I believed to be improper voter information… information subsequently mailed to Archuleta County voters.
That said, I have occasionally found myself in agreement with Mr. Woodman’s policy suggestions and decisions.
At the Tuesday meeting, Commissioner Brown was not pleased with the comments coming from his fellow commissioners, and cited the turnover in the County Manager’s office over the past several years.
“We’ve had Mr. Henderson, Mr. Schulte, Mr. Jankowski, Mr. Schulte again, Mr. Wall… our attorney, Mr. Weaver, as interim Manager… and Mr. Woodman. We’re finally starting to get some consistency and some continuity of operations…”
He then gave a litany of examples, supporting his belief in Mr. Woodman’s abilities, reading from what appeared to be a prepared speech. His comments did not sway his two fellow commissioners.
Commissioner Maez made reference to legal fees for a certain ethics investigation:
“How much are we spending on that ethics violation?… I think we’re at $35,000 already, and it’s grown. Who’s recommendation was that? To charge the taxpayers for mileage, driving from your house to the [BOCC] office?”
The reference here is to reimbursements for mileage, requested by and paid to Commissioner Brown. Commissioner Maez was apparently blaming Mr. Woodman for the questionable advice, although Commissioner Brown did not confirm the source of the advice.
Commissioner Medina:
“And recently, our former Public Works Director, and those shenanigans that happened… under the current County Manager’s watch. The taxpayers paid for it. That was $1 million that had to be reallocated. And we did not expect that. So there are some real concerns…”
Commissioner Brown again defended Mr. Woodman’s performance, noting that the former employee is under investigation for possible criminal behavior.
Commissioner Medina responded to Commissioner Brown:
“Well, that’s a perfect example — of myself not knowing about that, because the communication does not flow, always, all the way to me. It flows to you, but not always to me. Hence, my decision.”
Commissioner Medina noted some “side deals” allegedly made by that same former employee. “Obviously, those things came to light later. But had there been better supervision in that area, I think that could have been avoided…”
Commissioner Brown:
“I don’t think anybody is free of error. So we look at what can be improved. Is this a critical situation? Or is this pre-planned? That this is how we’re going to address it?”
Commissioner Medina responded:
“I would say it’s critical, because of the lack of communication, at times. Some items are very well communicated. Other times, not at all. And that’s truly where my concern is. That at times, you are more informed than I am…
“It’s rare that he comes into my office, and it shouldn’t be that way. And I’m not going to deal with it any longer.”
A motion was made by Commissioner Maez to not appoint a negotiator for the renewal of Mr. Woodman’s contract, seconded by Commissioner Medina, and approved 2-to-1.
As we left the meeting, an audience member said to me, “Well, that was awkward.”
I had to agree.
According to a story by reporter Josh Pike, in the weekly Pagosa Springs SUN, Manager Woodman departed from County employment the following day.