BAYFIELD – The Bayfield Town Board is closing in on a potential candidate for interim town manager, but that process will continue a bit longer.
The board tabled the matter to its meeting next week after learning that the latest candidate withdrew their name from the list of finalists on Wednesday.
There’s one other candidate the town board will consider, and Mayor Tom Au told The Durango Herald the board is negotiating with that person. Au also hopes a hire can be made entering the next town board meeting on Tuesday.
“Tuesday, we should know for sure one way or the other,” he said.
The candidate hired will replace outgoing Town Manager Katie Sickles, who announced her resignation in October after some town board members called for her ouster over allegations she wasn’t acting in the “best interest” of a majority of town board members.
Before the interim town manager vote, exasperated Bayfield resident Brian Blanchard inquired about why the board couldn’t weigh in on questions from the public before coming to any decisions. Another Bayfield resident, Julie Blanchard, told the board she hopes the eventual hire “will be here for a period of time that makes sense.”
The board had four finalists after a nationwide search for candidates. Au said some of those applicants came from the Four Corners.
In addition to one candidate withdrawing, Au said another candidate was involved in a car crash the night that person was scheduled for an interview and could not go on with pursuing the job. Au said a fourth candidate dropped out for unknown reasons, leaving one finalist.
Morlan asked the board to inquire about references for the one remaining candidate; ensure there are no concerns about that person’s social media activity; and to discuss details surrounding salary, housing, travel, schedule and time off.
If no agreement is made, Morlan said human resources will begin another vetting session for more candidates.
mhollinshead@durangoherald.com
