Commission approves county manager hire; chairman warns of staffing cuts and enforces hiring freeze

The Colfax County Commission voted Thursday to approve the appointment of Cheryl Navarette as the county's next manager, subject to final contract negotiations with the county attorney.

Commissioners were told the contract draft remained incomplete but that the candidate — identified by staff as Cheryl Navarette — was recommended and would begin near July if negotiations conclude. "I would make a motion to approve, Miss Navarette, pending the contract negotiation with county attorney Ivy Soto," one commissioner said; the motion passed by roll call vote.

In a separate and lengthy statement the chairman addressed county staffing and a hiring freeze. He told elected officials and their assistants that, as county employees serving the public, they must maintain operations amid staffing cuts. "You as an elected official and your assistant are workers for the county also, not just the other employees, and we all have to work together," he said. He reiterated a hiring freeze and said further employee reductions may be necessary if departments do not cooperate to maintain services.

The chairman also said he had consulted attorneys and state officials regarding office performance and requested documentation of qualifications and time in service before approving salary changes or promotions for replacements. "Before you send something for a raise, a position change... I want to know their qualifications," he said.

The commission approved the manager appointment pending final contract language; commissioners also agreed to maintain the existing hiring freeze while they seek cost controls and staff reassignments across departments.