Garfield County commissioners reinstate library staff and approve back pay

Garfield County commissioners on Feb. 18 acted on personnel matters raised by the Library Board of Trustees, rescinding a termination and approving back pay for two library employees.

During the Library Board’s report, Vice-Chair Carla McWilliams moved to rescind the termination of Carrie Murnion and to remove Karen Gibbs from administrative leave; Chairman Kelly Witt seconded the motion and, according to the meeting record, the board voted “all in favor” and the motion carried. McWilliams then moved to pay Carrie Murnion and Karen Gibbs back pay for the period they were on administrative leave; Witt seconded and the record states the motion again carried unanimously.

Library Board members and supporters present for the discussion included Heather Gibson, Sonja Turner, Sharon Nelson, Chantel Benson, Karen Gibbs, Adam Forslund, Jennifer Crawford, and Charlie Saylor; Theresa Murnion joined by phone and Tracy Cook and Jerry Collins participated via Teams video. The attendees discussed the library’s status and a possible memorandum of understanding (MOU) between the Library Board of Trustees and the county, though the transcript records no final MOU terms.

The board’s motions restored employment status for the staff named and authorized payment of back wages for time on administrative leave. The transcript does not include vote tallies by individual commissioner names, only that the motions carried with all in favor. No additional personnel actions or disciplinary details were recorded in the meeting transcript.

The library board’s matter was part of the posted agenda and was handled in the morning session before the lunch recess.