Residents urge greater transparency, more public engagement as commissioners face criticism

Julie Yarnell, a Montrose County resident, used the public comment period to sharply criticize the Board of County Commissioners’ transparency and recent personnel changes. “His transparency has been clear as mud,” Yarnell said, urging commissioners to "stop playing the new card and get to work" and to hold more outreach events outside normal business hours so working residents can participate.

Barbara Hewlett of Olathe spoke next and offered a contrasting tone while pressing a similar point about outreach. “I want to thank you, Scott, for your transparency,” Hewlett said, and asked whether the board would resume quarterly roundtable meetings and other evening constituent events she said used to occur.

Yarnell alleged significant recent staff turnover, saying the county lost its county manager, assistant county manager and county attorney through resignations or forced departures and that the board’s actions had produced a "stressful hostile work environment" that could cost the county in severance and outside counsel. Those allegations were presented as public comment and were not addressed or substantiated during the meeting.

The board did not engage with speakers during the public comment period, consistent with its announced rules. After public comment the commissioners moved on to a personnel matter in executive session; no hiring decisions were made in public during this meeting.

The board adjourned after completing its agenda. The concerns raised during public comment will be forwarded to county staff for follow-up, per the board’s stated public comment policy.