By Sandy Barnes
Berthoud Recorder

The Town Board is beginning the search for a town administrator to replace Jim White, who is leaving Berthoud the end of July. Trustee Glen Buckingham presented recommendations from a subcommittee overseeing the hiring process to the board at the Tuesday, June 23 meeting.

The board agreed to the hiring plan, after suggesting modifications to it. The four members of the subcommittee will review applications received and will narrow the candidates down to the top six. On-site interviews will be held for the top two or three candidates, with the board and town attorney meeting in executive session to discuss contract terms for the position.

Buckingham made it clear that the subcommittee will make no final decisions on the hiring of a town administrator, or for a person to serve in an interim capacity. “In all cases, the subcommittee is bringing recommendations for the board to approve,” he said. All of the subcommittee meetings will be public and open to the full board. Trustee John Bauer said that he would like to participate in the hiring process and asked to be a member of the subcommittee.

Town Clerk Mary Cowdin will post the announcements of the position on Web sites and in local and regional newspapers including the Berthoud Recorder, the Weekly Surveyor and the Denver Post. The deadline for receiving applications is July 17.

The salary range for the town administrator will be advertised as $70,000 to $120,000 annually. Required skills include knowledge of federal and state laws for local government and general municipal government operations, and five to seven years of management experience. The job description also states that experience or training in economic development is preferred, as well as a master’s degree in public administration.

Trustee Dick Shepard said that he thought the board should direct its focus on the hiring of the town administrator and a public works director to replace Tony Huerta, who is leaving his position the end of the month. “It’s a priority to get someone in place as soon as possible,” he said.

Shepard also advised postponing consideration of a franchise agreement with Xcel Energy. “It’s the wrong time,” he said. During a discussion of the matter, the board debated whether to move forward with a public hearing to consider an ordinance for the power company franchise, and voted 5-2 to set a date for July 28. Trustees Shepard and Michael Patrick voted against the hearing.

The board also set dates for public hearings for the Ludlow Farms annexation and an ordinance on a conveyance plot.

In other matters, the board approved a memorandum of understanding with the state Department of Local Affairs and Colorado State University Extension for an intern to design a plan for a town recreation center at a cost of $2,550.

The board also heard a report from Aims Community College on a ballot question for the November election on a mil levy for the future campus planned on a site near Berthoud.