Alta council adopts ordinance adjusting elected/statutory pay and appoints Chris Colley as treasurer

The Alta Town Council voted Jan. 14 to adopt Ordinance 2026‑o‑1, which updates the town’s language for elected and statutory officials and clarifies that the town manager serving as treasurer will not receive an additional $100 monthly payment. The council then approved Resolution 2026‑R‑1 appointing Chris Colley to fill the town treasurer vacancy.

The measures passed after brief discussion and roll‑call votes. Council members recorded yes votes during the ordinance vote (Council member Ansell, Council member Heidemark, Council member Schilling and Mayor Burke), and the council recorded unanimous support for the treasurer appointment. The minutes and the December staff and finance reports were approved in the same series of motions.

Why it matters: the ordinance corrects compensation language so that staff acting in multiple administrative roles are not paid duplicative stipends; the treasurer appointment fills an administrative vacancy that the council said is expected to remain under town manager purview. Council members emphasized continuity and transparency in financial reporting during the motion.

Council members and staff framed these actions as technical and administrative steps rather than policy changes. During the ordinance discussion a councilor jokingly added a provision that the new treasurer ‘wears cool socks,’ an exchange the mayor treated as light‑hearted and nonbinding.

What’s next: staff will proceed with the treasurer transition and continue routine financial reporting. Any future salary adjustments or substantive compensation changes would require separate council action and public notice.