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Larimer County approves temporary override to allow Fort Collins staff designee on behavioral health policy council, 2-1
Summary
The Larimer County Board of County Commissioners voted 2-1 on April 14 to adopt a resolution temporarily overriding the Behavioral Health Policy Council bylaws so a Fort Collins staff designee may serve in place of an elected city official for the remainder of the year; Chair Jody Shad McNally opposed the motion, citing concerns raised by the Policy Council.
The Larimer County Board of County Commissioners voted 2-1 on April 14 to adopt a resolution temporarily overriding the Larimer County Behavioral Health Policy Council bylaws to allow a Fort Collins staff designee to serve in place of an elected city official for the remainder of the year.
Commissioner Stevens moved to adopt the resolution "allowing for the temporary override of the Larimer County Behavioral Health Policy Council bylaws." County Manager Lorenda Volker explained that the waiver would be an exception to the bylaws — which ordinarily require a municipality to appoint an elected official — and that the waiver would not be necessary if Fort Collins later appoints an elected representative.
Chair Jody Shad McNally said members of the Policy Council had expressed concerns about the earlier plan to name a staff designee. McNally asked the board to delay action to allow outreach to Fort Collins City Council members and to see whether an elected official might be willing to serve. "I would request that we not move forward with this... maybe give us a week to see if we can" find a policymaker to serve, McNally said during the discussion.
Commissioner Stevens argued the waiver reflected prior direction and would permit the city to name a staff person if elected officials could not regularly attend. After discussion, the board adopted the resolution. The online record and discussion show the board approved the motion by a 2-1 vote; the chair recorded her vote in opposition and explained she was voting in response to the Policy Council's concerns.
Lorenda Volker clarified the procedural point: the bylaws require an elected municipal official by default; the temporary override is an exception for this year only and would become unnecessary if Fort Collins later appoints an elected official, Volker said.
The board took no additional formal actions on the matter at the meeting; staff were expected to monitor whether Fort Collins names an elected designee and to report back as needed.
