Curry County appoints HR representative as Title VI coordinator and adopts updated plan

The Curry County Board of Commissioners voted unanimously to appoint an HR representative as the county’s Title VI coordinator and to adopt an updated Title VI plan dated Nov. 5, 2025.

Commissioners said the update is required for departments and services that receive federal funds. Director Fitzgerald (referred to as Ted) recommended naming an existing HR staff member rather than creating a new position; commissioners discussed Julie Swift as a likely coordinator because of her institutional knowledge. "We need to appoint somebody and get it going," a commissioner said, and the board agreed the role could live inside an existing HR position.

Board members also raised concerns about the scale of work to bring some county departments into compliance. One commissioner warned of a backlog of nonconformance that could require months of work and recommended sensitivity to the burden of updating contracts, transit documents and other departmental policies. Director Fitzgerald said departments have not been consistently reviewed for Title VI conformance for years and that the coordinator would have to do detailed policy work.

The motion to appoint "an HR representative as the Title VI coordinator and adopt the 11/05/2025 Title VI plan" was moved and seconded and passed by recorded voice vote: Commissioner Coker "Aye," Commissioner Hollinger "Yes," and the presiding speaker "I as well." The board asked staff to identify an existing HR position and to report back on capacity and potential assistance needed to complete compliance work.

What this means: Appointment of a Title VI coordinator is a procedural step required to preserve eligibility for federal funding; the board acknowledged the immediate workload and signaled it will provide staff support as needed.