During its regular meeting held on Tuesday, Feb. 17, the Archuleta County Board of County Commissioners (BoCC) unanimously approved appointing two regular members and an associate member to the county’s planning commission, while also unanimously voting not to approve the appointment of a second associate member.
During a work session held earlier that day, Commissioner Veronica Medina expressed concern over appointing applicant Kevin Braun as an associate member for the county’s planning commission, noting that Braun is currently an employee with the Town of Pagosa Springs Planning Department, according to his application.
Medina mentioned that she spoke to County Attorney Cathleen Giovannini about the matter and was advised that “it is not a conflict,” but noted that Braun is an employee with the Pagosa Springs Planning Department, “and I just don’t know if that is the right fit.”
During the regular meeting, the BoCC approved Resolution 2026-18, appointing Mont McAllister to the planning commission for a three-year term ending Feb. 4, 2028.
The resolution explains that McAllister was appointed as an associate member on Feb. 4, 2025, but that planning commissioner Andre Redstone resigned on Sept. 11, 2025, and at the Oct. 23, 2025, planning commission meeting, the commission “elevated Mont McAllister to a Regular Member.”
McAllister will serve as a regular member for the remainder of the three-year term.
The BoCC also unanimously approved Resolution 2026-19, appointing Jeff Jones to the planning commission as a regular member to serve a three-year term ending Feb. 4, 2028.
The resolution explains that on Feb. 10, 2026, regular member of the planning commission David Pribble resigned, “leaving a vacancy in the position.”
The resolution also notes that Jones will serve as a regular member for the remainder of Pribble’s original three-year term.
Both of those resolutions were included in the BoCC’s consent agenda, where multiple items are approved with a single vote of the BoCC.
Before approving the consent agenda, Medina suggested moving the item regarding appointing two associate members from the consent agenda to the new business portion of the meeting.
Medina then made a motion to approve the meeting’s consent agenda with the exception of Item G, which was moved under the new business portion as Item F, which was unanimously approved.
While discussing the matter as Resolution 2026-22, Medina explained that she had no issue with appointing Jay Christianson as an associate planning commission member, but “would say no to the other associate, Kevin Braun.”
She explained that her “objection” with Braun being an associate member had to do with the fact that he is employed with the Pagosa Springs Planning Department.
Commissioner John Ranson commented that he agrees with Medina, adding that it is nothing against the town, but that “it’s a lot cleaner” not having town employees on county boards.
Commissioner Warren Brown commented that he wondered what kind of appearances Braun might have on the planning commission, noting that the board has had turnover with its members “from time to time.”
Giovannini explained that she spoke with Medina about the matter, mentioning that the county’s bylaws from 2012 stated that one of the town’s planning commissioners would serve on the county’s planning commission and vice versa, but noted that the county updated its bylaws in 2024 and had that removed.
Giovannini commented that there is a history of that happening, but noted she could see why the BoCC felt there could be a conflict.
“I could see how it could be perceived that way,” she added.
Medina commented that she was unaware of those bylaws, but noted those are not the town’s bylaws and that there is no memorandum of understanding between the two agencies “saying this was agreed upon.”
Medina then motioned to approve Christianson as an associate member, which was unanimously approved.
She then motioned to not approve Braun as an associate member. That motion was unanimously approved by the BoCC.
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