Screenshot from ABC Channel 13 Eyewitness news.
I’m sometimes amazed — no, make that “often amazed” — at the way governments function, when they are spending my money. I’m referring mainly to our federal and state governments, but also, often, our local governments here in Pagosa Springs.
As some of our readers know, two of our Archuleta County commissioners, Veronica Medina and Ronnie Maez, voted on Tuesday, May 7, not to renew the County’s contract with County Manager Derek Woodman. That contract was due to run through December. But Mr. Woodman apparently cleaned out his office and ceased showing up for work the following day, May 8. This, of course, left the County without a Manager to oversee its 16 departments, and to coordinate with the other elected County officials such as the County Sheriff, Assessor, Clerk, and Treasurer.
Several potential decisions were listed on yesterday’s special meeting of the Archuleta Board of County Commissioners’, most of which were directly related to the vacancy in the County Manager’s office on Lewis Street.
One of the items was a proposal to have the commissioners, themselves, divvy up the supervision of their 16 departments, with each commissioner handling five or six departments until such time as an interim Manager could be interviewed and hired… to manage things until a permanent Manager could be hired.
D. Consideration and Designation of Supervision of County Departments
This agenda item is for the Board of County Commissioners to divide up the county departments that normally report to the county manager amongst the commissioners to supervise until such time as an interim or permanent county manager is hired.
Back in the day, this is exactly how the Archuleta County government used to function: each commissioner took charge of specific departments. There was no need for a County Manager. But Pagosa Springs has grown… and grown… and we now need a much larger County government, with many additional department heads and supervisors.
One of the joys of a constantly expanding economy.
At yesterday’s special meeting, the BOCC seemed to be slightly frantic about hiring an interim Manager. Or rather, two of our three commissioners seemed slightly frantic, to put someone else in charge of the County government operations.
Commissioner Maez noted that he’d spoken to Bentley Henderson, who served as Archuleta County Manager between 2014 and 2018, and Mr. Henderson had apparently expressed an interest in the interim position.
Commissioner Maez also mentioned the name of another potential candidate, whose name I had never heard before.
Jack M. Harper II.
Mr. Harper served as City Manager in Fulshear, Texas between April 2018 and February 2024.
Commissioner Medina then noted that she had spoken on the phone with this same Jack M. Harper II, and he seemed like a reasonable choice. Mr. Harper had been recommended, she said, by former Community Development Corporation President Jason Cox. And Mr. Harper had provided an impressive resume.
Commissioner Maez said he had also spoken with Mr. Cox and gotten a glowing recommendation on behalf of Mr. Harper.
Commissioner Warren Brown chimed in, saying that he’s likewise gotten a recommendation from Jason Cox. But Commissioner Brown was not in such a big hurry to appoint an interim Manager whom he’d never met or even talked to, and he asked that the BOCC take some time to consider the hiring process and the candidates.
Perhaps an in-person interview would be appropriate? And some research into Mr. Harper’s background? A salary negotiation, perhaps? Maybe follow some kind of standard hiring procedure?
Commissioners Medina and Maez, however, were obviously anxious to hire Jack M. Harper II, and subsequently voted to appoint Mr. Harper as our new interim County Manager, to begin as soon as next Monday.
Commissioner Brown voted “Nay”.
I left the meeting wondering who our elected BOCC has just hired, from Fulshear, Texas, to guide our community for the coming months?
Here are a few bits of information from ABC Channel 13 Eyewitness News, from Monday, February 12, 2024.
Fulshear’s future is up in the air after City Manager fired after numerous complaints
What started as one complaint ballooned into a four-hour-long meeting of complaints that ended up costing the Fulshear city manager his job.
After meeting in executive session on Monday, Fulshear city council unanimously voted to fire city manager, Jack Harper.
Outside of city hall, stapled in a glass case, sits a special council agenda that could impact Fulshear’s future.
“I wouldn’t say this is any more important than any of our other meetings, but at the same time, I would be remiss if I didn’t acknowledge the fact that it’s a pivotal point in the city,” Fulshear Mayor Aaron Groff said.
As mentioned, Mr. Harper started as Fulshear’s City Manager nearly six years ago, but was put on paid leave in early February. Apparently, a staff member filed a complaint of some kind, regarding Mr. Harper. Then… a lot of people came forward with complaints.
Days later, during a special council meeting, leaders met for four hours and heard several more complaints.
“It came as a surprise to everybody in the room,” Groff recalled. “None of us saw it coming at this point.”
Leaders said the complaints haven’t prompted a criminal investigation. As to precisely what they’re about, leaders have yet to say so far.
“We can’t speak about what happens in executive session unless that were to go to a public hearing or a public investigation,” Groff said. “Then, we would take those next steps if we need to.”
Following an hour-long, closed-door executive session, all City Council members voted to fire Mr. Harper. No reason was given.
Mayor Groff announced a 60-day search will start for his replacement. Currently, the assistant City Manager is serving in that role.
As noted, this action took place in early February. No news source (that I can locate) has revealed why Mr. Harper was fired by the entire City Council.
Maybe we shouldn’t worry about it?
Since, apparently — based on yesterday’s 2-to-1 vote — he’s going to be our new County Manager for a while…?
But I would be remiss, as Fulshear Mayor Groff so eloquently phrased it, if I didn’t acknowledge the fact that it’s a pivotal point in our community.