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Pueblo County commissioners debate rescinding prior delegations to county manager; no formal action taken
Summary
Commissioner Epe Griego introduced a resolution rescinding several prior delegations of authority to the county manager and asked the incoming board to reassign authorities. Commissioners and multiple county officials urged delay; the board did not vote on rescission but approved allowing public comment.
Commissioner Epe Griego introduced a resolution to rescind a set of prior resolutions that delegate certain powers to the county manager, saying she wanted the incoming Board to decide which authorities to delegate.
The measure would rescind several earlier delegation resolutions (identified in the meeting as Resolutions 19-223, 19-300, 20-272, 22-103, 22-282 and 24-086) and return delegated decision-making to the elected commissioners so the next board could determine how to assign those responsibilities.
Griego said she brought the measure “as a means to assist [the county manager] and to have accountability for us that were elected to govern,” and argued “all of these resolutions delegate responsibilities of the elected commissioners to a non-elected position.” She said rescinding the delegations would let the incoming commissioners “decide for themselves what authorities they would like to delegate to our county manager.”
Other commissioners objected to taking the change up at the special meeting on Jan. 9, saying the timing — with two commissioners leaving office that day and a new board taking office the following week — made an immediate change “rushed” and would saddle successors with heavy day-one work. One commissioner said the change “is a policy that's changing the way the county can and will function” and urged the matter be left for the incoming board to review.
The board voted to allow public comment on the meeting agenda before debating the rescission; that procedural motion carried (three ayes). A separate motion to remove item 1a from the agenda was moved but did not receive a second, and no formal vote was taken to rescind the delegation resolutions.
Several county officials and staff used the public-comment period to speak in defense of County Manager Sabina Genizio and to warn against abruptly removing delegations. District Attorney (former DA, speaking in his capacity as an elected official) said Genizio “has been superb” and that “I can't speak highly enough for her.” County Assessor Frank Beltran said Genizio “has never ever made me feel like she's overstepping the work of an elected official” and called her dependable. Assistant County Attorney Gary Rosso told the board he “can't say enough about Sabina Genizio” and described her as “a pro.” A county public-safety official said the county manager “has been my go to person” in emergencies.
County staff explained that, if the current delegations were rescinded immediately, routine authorities (including some signing authority for contracts) would revert to the board and that contracts or scheduled actions might need a different process while commissioners handle approvals. Staff said some contract thresholds would revert to a policy requiring public- meeting approval for amounts above previously established limits (the transcript referenced $25,000 as a historical threshold).
Outcome: The board approved allowing public comment. The motion to remove item 1a did not receive a second and there was no formal vote or rescission of the listed resolutions during the meeting. Commissioners indicated preference that the incoming board review the delegations and take action at a later public meeting if desired.
