Buena Vista holds finalist interviews for town clerk; trustees head to executive session

Two finalists for Buena Vista’s town clerk job answered trustees’ questions Wednesday night as the Board of Trustees completed a public interview process and prepared to move to an executive session to discuss hiring.

Deputy Clerk Ed told the trustees he has spent 14 months in the deputy role and described his work as focused on public service and customer relations. “I’ve loved everything about the deputy clerk,” he said, adding that he learned day-to-day processes from the town’s long-serving clerk. Asked how he would handle disagreement with the board, he said, “What the board decides really isn’t my business. I’m here to support the board’s decision,” and described his role as recording minutes and respecting the process.

Ed said he would treat requests to change already approved minutes cautiously, allowing small grammatical fixes but pausing on substantive contextual revisions because minutes are public record. He identified elections and liquor-license processing as areas where he would seek more training and support, and described a two-check-in daily routine and close communication with supervising staff to manage competing demands.

Joanna Richards, who has municipal experience in Aspen and Vail and has worked in community-development roles and short-term rental regulations, said she is a “process person” who emphasizes transparent communication and proactive scheduling. She told trustees that when conflicts arise she works to ensure all parties feel heard and looks to align on common goals. On technical gaps, she said elections would be an area to learn but cited experience with permitting, licensing and agenda/packet production as strengths.

Trustees asked both candidates about agenda preparation, public-relations experience and priorities for the job. Board members praised the level of detail in the minutes produced in recent months and thanked outgoing Town Clerk Paula Barnett for her years of service. After public Q&A the trustees voted to enter executive session under Colorado law to discuss positions related to the clerk candidates.

The board did not announce a hire in open session; officials said they would proceed with closed deliberations.

What’s next: Trustees moved into an executive session to develop negotiation strategy and instruct negotiators about the clerk position. Any formal appointment or employment contract would be announced at a later meeting or in public notice.