2023 Year in Review
As we wrap up 2023, I have many things to reflect upon and be grateful for.
I am pleased to work with our dedicated council — Mayor Pro Tem Matt DeGuise and council members Madeline Bergon, Mat deGraaf, Gary Williams, Brooks Lindner and Leonard Martinez. I am thankful for our thoughtful conversations and decisions, which we believe are in the best interest of our town and its residents.
The Town of Pagosa Springs staff is highly motivated to provide the best service to our community and, they are greatly appreciated. Their dedication extends to off hours, and you will see many staff members working throughout our special events to ensure these events are well-produced and safe for all.
Many town and county residents serve on our advisory boards and participate in our public engagement opportunities to provide input on various guiding documents and upcoming projects within our community. I thank you for your caring and participation.
Perhaps the most impactful change for the town government in 2023 was the departure of Town Manager Andrea Phillips. Andrea served the community well over the past six years and her professionalism and leadership will be missed. We wish Andrea all the best as she moves into the next chapter of her life and career.
The town council selected former Town Manager Greg Schulte to assist us as interim town manager while we sought to select a new town manager. Greg’s previous experience with staff and our budget process were among the top reasons why he was selected to fill the interim position. That proved to be an excellent decision as Greg worked diligently to oversee the town’s day-to-day operations along with assisting staff to build the budget for 2024, based on changes recommended by the Government Finance Officers Association. I believe this new budgeting and accounting process will benefit the community for many years to come and I extend my appreciation to all involved in this undertaking.
After an extensive search, and multiple interviews, the town council unanimously selected David Harris as our next town manager. He has already met with community members and joined local organizations. I look forward to working with David in 2024 and for years beyond to continue the excellent work of our council and staff.
Each year, the town council holds a retreat where we focus on issues facing our town and set goals and objectives for moving forward. This year, the town council set focusing on the Pagosa Springs Sanitation General Improvement District (PSSGID) as our number one priority. The second priority is focusing on staffing for the town.
The PSSGID is faced with needing to make significant upgrades to the aging infrastructure within the district’s boundaries. We also need to look at the future of sewage treatment, in conjunction with the Pagosa Area Water and Sanitation District (PAWSD). The Colorado Department of Health and Environment (CDPHE) is requiring upgrades to the current PAWSD plant that treats the town’s sewage. It appears at this juncture that the best solution for the two districts is to investigate working together on a plant that will meet the CDPHE requirements. This will be a multi-year project, which is in the initial stages.
As with many local businesses and public entities, staffing for the town has been a challenge. I am thankful and appreciative of the staff we have, but the town struggles to fill some positions for varied reasons. The council recognizes this and has decided to bring all staff members to a pay level that is a little above the median for others in the region who are skilled in comparable positions. Through this, we hope to retain our trained and experienced staff and fill open positions. I hope this will allow us to serve our community better. The other goals and objectives adopted by the council are available on the town’s website at pagosasprings.co.gov.
As I close out this year in review recap, I want to again thank the members of our town council, boards and commissions, other elected and appointed officials, and community volunteers. It is from this sense of partnership that we serve our Pagosa Springs community. It is an honor to serve as your mayor. I cannot think of a higher honor than serving my community – a community that I have called home since 1974.
Blessings to you and your family during this season of holidays.
Mayor Shari Pierce