The Archuleta County Board of County Commissioners (BoCC) will be voting on its commission chair position during its next regular scheduled meeting on Jan. 21, but discussion on the topic has already begun.
During a work session on Tuesday, Jan. 14, Commissioner Warren Brown initiated the discussion, reiterating the same message he put forward during the official swearing in ceremony held the day before.
“One of the things I said is, I want to try to help us work together better, and I think sometimes that we remove some obstacles that allow for that, and promote that,” he said, noting one of those obstacles is the chair position.
Brown mentioned that the chair position has “historically” been a voted position and at times is “very political, and I’m not sure that’s the benefit for our continuity.”
Brown then suggested that the BoCC might want to consider making the chair position a rotating position, “so all the board members have the responsibility and the privilege of being in that [role] during their term.”
Brown suggested that it being a rotating position would help relieve some of the pressures to have one member over the other in that position.
Commissioner John Ranson explained that he was able to meet with his two fellow commissioners individually before he was sworn into office on Jan. 13.
“I’m really excited about the diversity of this board,” Ranson said, noting the different levels of experiences in different fields.
Ranson also mentioned that he liked “the idea of alternating,” but noted that he would “lean” toward Medina remaining in the chair position, “just for continuity.”
Ranson then acknowledged that Brown has not been the chair of the BoCC in his four years of being commissioners, adding that Brown “is due,” and that Ranson himself does not have “any interest” in the position, as he better serves the board by being out in the community and engaging with people.
“I’m with both of you on this topic. We just gotta be a good team. … If we’re not functioning well, it flows down to the rest of the county, and that’s not a good thing,” Ranson added.
Commissioner Veronica Medina currently serves as the chair of the board, and commented that the position “can at times be political,” adding that she does not need to be the chair in order to do her job effectively.
She added the position is “more about confidence and trust.”
Medina also indicated she reached out to a few other counties to get their input on the matter and see how other counties operate.
“I don’t need to be the chair in order to do what I do,” Medina added.
She then mentioned that feedback from other counties that vote on the chair position do so because there may be times when a commissioner may not be able or want to have the chair position.
“So, I don’t know that I feel comfortable in saying, ‘Yes every year we’re gonna rotate it,’” Medina said, noting that future commissioners can change the way the chair position is filled.
Medina also mentioned that she has been approached by many constituents, specifically from her district, urging her to continue to be the chair of the board.
She then noted that she has changed the layout of the meeting room for work sessions to more evenly represent each commissioner.
“It’s not about one person; it’s about all three of us, and the three of us being united and making a decision,” Medina added. “It’s not about the title for me … it’s about the confidence and trust that I have, or don’t have, in my fellow commissioners.”
She went on to mention that the chair is “the CEO of the county,” noting that the “trust and confidence has to be there.”
Medina talked more about “the signs of trust,” noting she campaigned “hard” when Brown ran for office for the first time in 2020.
“I believed in you, I trusted you, and that, unfortunately, went away when I got into office,” Medina said, adding that she was treated professionally, but negatively and “not kind.”
Brown explained that his conversation with Ranson, prior to Ranson taking office, was centered on the idea that “we need to get beyond where we are as a board.”
Brown added that it was his idea to change the position to a rotating position because it “seems to me to be able to take a lot of politics and pressure off of the board members to get this done,” noting there are other counties in Colorado that have their commissioner chair position as a rotating position.
“This is not about me being the chair, or not being the chair,” Brown said, explaining that he told Ranson that whoever he motions to be chair, “I’m seconding it. Period.”
Medina indicated that Brown was previously offered the vice chair position twice and declined, adding, “We do need to work together. We do need to get past all of the past issues.”
Brown then clarified that he has served as vice chair in the past, but felt that it wasn’t a “genuine offer.”
“I felt as though there was not fair consideration given and it was a predetermined outcome before we ever sat down. Again, that’s past. Here we are, and we need to do better. So, yes, I certainly would consider vice chair,” Brown said.
Medina commented that “unfortunately” these private conversations can’t be held in private.
“In my opinion, nothing was predetermined,” Medina added.
She went on to explain that she had the opportunity to speak with former commissioner Ronnie Maez about what it means to be part of the BoCC, noting she attended meetings for four years before taking office.
“I don’t care how many meetings you attend out there, you do not know what goes on over here,” Medina said, adding that it’s unfortunate that assumptions were made on both sides.
Ranson mentioned that it is “a healthy thing” for the board to talk out these issues, “because it is not possible behind closed doors.”
He mentioned that it will contribute “in a large way” to the board being a “great team,” also acknowledging County Manager Jack Harper and County Attorney Todd Weaver.
Ranson also commented that the group of commissioners before his previous term “was just painful to watch … It wasn’t pretty and I would’ve been embarrassed to bring a fifth-grade class in and say, ‘This is how government operates,’ and I just think that we can be better than that.”
Commissioners business interest disclosures
Prior to the conversation in regard to the chair position of the BoCC, Brown also brought up the topic of business interest disclosures from the commissioners.
He explained that he wanted to bring up the topic, noting it may be beneficial for the public “if they know what their commissioners’ business interests are.”
“So, when we get to a decision, there’s no surprise if one of us recuses ourselves, appropriately, for that,” he added.
Brown went on to explain that he recently became the owner of a mobile RV repair business and that he doesn’t see that being an issue, “but I want folks to know, that’s a possibility.”
Medina explained that according to her counsel, commissioners need to disclose conflicts every time those items come up.
“We need to continually state our conflict or our choice not to vote, if that is the consideration,” she said.
Medina then explained that she is a licensed real estate agent with Exit Realty, noting she is “shocked that nobody knew that.”
“That is my only conflict, I guess, or not, I don’t see it as a conflict, that is I’m a licensed Realtor,” she said.
Ranson explained that he has benefited from the Aspen Village development over the years, as he owns a vacant lot, a few cottages and rental suites.
He noted that he had a “corporate divorce” in 2006 and is no longer part of the Aspen Village board.
“I believe big time transparency is a good thing,” Ranson said.
clayton@pagosasun.com