By Shari Phiel
Berthoud Recorder

Following several months of controversy surrounding the renewal of his contract, Town Administrator Jim White has accepted a contingent contract with the town of Minturn. A three-year contract was expected to be approved by Minturn’s board at the Wednesday, June 3 regular meeting.
   
“I have a contingent contract with the Town of Minturn, to serve as their manager. We’re working on the details of the contract, negotiating back and forth by phone.”

Minturn’s Town Council was expected to review the contract, which includes housing and an increase over his current salary, during an executive session meeting on June 3 with final approval coming during the council’s June 17 meeting.

“I still have a lot to do here,” said White, citing the upcoming Berthoud Day and work still to be done with Aims Community College and the Xcel Energy franchise agreement. White will likely stay in Berthoud until the first part of August.

Interim Manager Gary Suiter has been filling in for the past two years while the Vail Valley mountain town has search for a permanent candidate. White, who completed the application process in late April, was among 90 applicants for the position.

White said he is looking forward to the move, noting Minturn faces many of the same challenges as Berthoud. He plans to apply the knowledge he has gained from his time in Berthoud to his new post.