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Open Space staff position eliminated; commissioners and volunteers weigh next steps
Summary
San Miguel County open-space staff said a facility-maintenance role was removed from the parks division and the county reallocated about one-third of the mill levy, leaving staff stretched thin and prompting calls for follow-up with county leaders.
San Miguel County open-space staff announced on Nov. 17 that a facility-maintenance position previously aligned with the parks and open space division has been removed from the division’s budget, a change staff said took effect Nov. 1.
The staff member who described the change (identified in the transcript as Speaker 3) said a manager she had advocated for was promoted and the county created a separate facility-maintenance division. “His position was eliminated from the parks and open space budget, so it will not be filled,” Speaker 3 said. “I am back to being a one-woman show.”
Commissioners pressed for details about why the change occurred. Speaker 3 said anticipated state funding did not materialize and that local budget adjustments included taking about a third of the mill levy that had supported parks and open space. “The mill levy is for the entire parks and open space department,” Speaker 3 said, noting the levy supports the fairgrounds, historic preservation, and other divisions as well as open space.
Commission members and staff discussed operational consequences: the county’s park supervisor remains focused on field duties and cannot take on routine administrative tasks, leaving program coordination and grant work dependent on one staff member. Speaker 3 said she was working long days but would not extend work beyond 12-hour shifts, citing limits on personal time and job capacity.
Commissioners discussed escalating concerns to the county commissioners or town manager. Speaker 1 said she would consider contacting county leaders to raise the issue, and Speaker 3 encouraged members to share their own perspectives rather than present her as the sole requester.
The commission also discussed how volunteers could help fill gaps in grant writing and project coordination. Speaker 2 offered to assist with outreach and estimates for planting or construction projects.
Next steps: Commissioners and staff said they will document the staffing change in minutes and consider contacting county leadership to request reconsideration or additional resources. No formal vote or directive was recorded in the meeting transcript.
