Broomfield council holds public personnel discussion after censure; no new discipline imposed

City and County Manager Jennifer Hoffman and Council member Marsh Holshon faced a public personnel discussion at a March 27 special meeting of the Broomfield City Council called to follow up on a March 25 censure vote that faulted Holshon for statements he sent about the manager.

The meeting, presided over by the mayor pro tem in the mayor—s absence, opened with the item on the agenda: "a discussion of personnel matters related to the city and county manager." Hoffman, who had requested public discussion rather than an executive session, delivered a 20‑minute statement defending her record and asking for evidence to support the accusations made in Holshon's email. "Your presence matters," she told the room, and she said repeatedly that "baseless accusations made without evidence" were harmful to staff and to public service.

The issue traces to a March 25 council motion that approved a censure of Holshon by a 5‑4 vote. At the special meeting Holshon said the email that led to the censure contained two claims: that Hoffman had "intentionally acted in a way that undermines council" (which he described as "sabotage") and that she had engaged in negligence and mismanagement related to water rate decisions. "I stand by that statement," Holshon said, summarizing the factual basis he said he would present concerning the enterprise fund, rate studies and asset management.

A number of council members who spoke disagreed with Holshon's characterization. Council member Ward, one of the members who helped request the special meeting, said the council as a body must determine whether individual members— allegations are supported; Ward later said he saw "no basis for the accusations" Holshon leveled at Hoffman. Council member Anderson, Council member Lim and others said they supported the manager and described the situation as a failure of communication about complex water and capital needs.

Public commenters who addressed the meeting overwhelmingly praised Hoffman and urged the council to move past the dispute. "Her integrity, her principles, her values, her honesty, and her willingness to answer questions has been phenomenal," Kathy Aiella, a resident, told the council. Other residents described frustration at how the email became public and urged better internal processes for council oversight.

Speakers and council members spent substantial time discussing the background of the city—s water enterprise finances. Hoffman and several council members described changes in data, modeling and growth patterns between the 2022 and 2024 rate studies, and the city manager explained that gaps in an asset management system and shifting development and precipitation patterns contributed to larger‑than‑expected revenue needs. Hoffman said the staff had worked for three years to pull together more complete forecasts and to build an ongoing quarterly reporting process on enterprise funds.

City Attorney remarks made clear that personnel matters may be discussed in executive session but that because Hoffman had requested a public conversation, prior executive‑session discussions on related personnel matters could be referenced within the scope of this meeting. No new personnel action — no suspension, removal or formal reprimand — was proposed or adopted at the special meeting. The council majority reiterated support for Hoffman and for continuing to rely on staff to implement complex utility and budget work while improving communication and transparency.

The mayor pro tem closed the meeting by saying the allegations made in the email and cited at the March 25 censure were "meritless and lacking credibility," and urged the council and community to move forward. The special meeting concluded with no formal discipline or other action taken at that session.

Ending: Council members indicated plans to continue improving processes for sharing underlying data and assumptions with council and the public, and staff said the next quarterly enterprise fund update would provide additional detail on water finances and asset management work.