La Plata County Director of Emergency Management Shawna Legarza was named a finalist for the interim county manager position on Wednesday.
“I want to congratulate her (Legarza) and say that all the candidates that applied were great, and I appreciate them applying,” Commissioner Marsha Porter-Norton said after the unanimous vote. “It’s a very unique position to be someplace for three months – or four or five or however many it turns out being. It's not a normal job. We know Shawna takes on many positions that are quite challenging, and I believe we are tremendously lucky to have her.”
Following the resignation of former County Manager Chuck Stevens in June, the commissioners had hoped to find a replacement by September. However, contract negotiations with a finalist fell through in August, leading them back to the drawing board.
The board decided to push the search past the November election, when voters will be asked to approve a 1-cent sales tax increase to boost county revenue.
“We just feel that after Tuesday, we will know what our revenue situation is in much more clear focus,” Porter-Norton said at the special session Wednesday, where Legarza was named finalist.
The county is required to advertise the position of interim county manager for 30 more days, after which Legarza will officially take on the role. She is expected to serve in the position for about three months.
A La Plata County spokeswoman was unavailable to comment Wednesday on what the move means for the Emergency Management Department, and whether Legarza will fill both roles at once.
The job posting for permanent county manager will go live again Nov. 1.
jbowman@durangoherald.com
