Bob Hurd, our Hinsdale County Road and Bridge Supervisor, stopped by this morning to bring me up to date on snowplowing. Since we have new folks in town, I’ll share what I learned about the Town’s agreement with the County re: snowplowing. Snowplowing is a large and unpredictable expense in county or city budgets. No one can predict a year in advance how much snow will have to be plowed. To address the greatest need and keep costs under control as much as is feasible, the Town has set a policy of plowing as follows:
Each time the County plows our Town streets, it literally costs thousands of dollars. That’s why we have a plan that limits plowing to what is necessary to keep us able to go about our business. Questions? Give Cindy Nelson or myself a call at 944-2333 or email me at leslieklusmire@townoflakecity.us.
On the topic of my job, I’ve become aware in only two weeks that many people aren’t quite sure about my role in town government. The Town decided in September of 2003 to create the position of Town Manager. Basically, this position in a “statutory” town is like a CEO or Executive Director of a corporation or a non-profit. The Trustees are elected as your representatives and ensure that the will of the community is carried out in policies and budgeting priorities. The Trustees don’t get a blank slate, they have to adhere to the laws and requirements of both Federal and State of Colorado governments, but they are the final word on what projects and programs move forward. As Town Manager, I manage the day to day operations of the Town, supervise all the employees, distribute work load among the employees, and authorize expenditures within the budget that the Trustees have previously approved. If it’s not in the budget, or under the policy direction of the Trustees, I need to bring it before them. I don’t get to make significant decisions on my own. I don’t serve at the will of one or two Trustees, but at the will of the Trustees as they determine policy and budget priorities in their scheduled and noticed public meetings.
I’ve had several people ask me to support various town projects. My role is not to be swayed by my own opinion or the opinion of others, but to provide the Trustees as decision makers with the best possible technical, financial and comparative information to inform their decision. I also provide that information to you as community members. I will most often make a recommendation based on what is possible and feasible for the town based on cost/benefit for the community and on community priorities, and I will often discuss other options and consequences for certain choices. I don’t decide on my own where I personally would like to spend the money on my pet projects. That’s not my role. In many ways, being a Town Manager means giving up the freedom to have a public personal opinion within the community that I also live in. It’s difficult when you are a paid staff person in a small town because there is pressure to support one side of complex issues. Staff, however, is supposed to remain neutral and professional in conflict and provide technical support based on sound financial and community benefit rationale and let the Trustees make the decision as representatives of the people.
To sum up: You as a Lake City voter elect the Trustees and entrust them with representing the community’s best interest, the Trustees direct me and I direct the staff. I implement the community’s vision as interpreted by the Trustees by ensuring that the staff is carrying out their will through where staff spend’s their time and the Town’s money.
So what if you feel the community’s interests aren’t being carried out? That’s why Town business is conducted in public meetings. You can call your Trustees and express your concerns and/or write a letter (signed by you, we can’t consider anonymous letters) or come to a meeting. I hope to increase the ways and means by which we hear directly from the public. It’s something I’m passionate about and from what I understand, both the Trustees and the community want.
- SH149: CDOT plows (Colorado Department of Transportation) Town doesn't set policy.
- 1” or more – the County plows all access to emergency departments such as the medical center, fire station, sheriff, Armory (Town Hall), etc.
- 2” or more – the County plows all streets with terrain (hills)
- 4” or more – the County plows all level (flat) streets
- 6” or more – alleys get plowed, unless they are the sole access to a residence or occupied building then they come under the 4” or more category.
Each time the County plows our Town streets, it literally costs thousands of dollars. That’s why we have a plan that limits plowing to what is necessary to keep us able to go about our business. Questions? Give Cindy Nelson or myself a call at 944-2333 or email me at leslieklusmire@townoflakecity.us.
On the topic of my job, I’ve become aware in only two weeks that many people aren’t quite sure about my role in town government. The Town decided in September of 2003 to create the position of Town Manager. Basically, this position in a “statutory” town is like a CEO or Executive Director of a corporation or a non-profit. The Trustees are elected as your representatives and ensure that the will of the community is carried out in policies and budgeting priorities. The Trustees don’t get a blank slate, they have to adhere to the laws and requirements of both Federal and State of Colorado governments, but they are the final word on what projects and programs move forward. As Town Manager, I manage the day to day operations of the Town, supervise all the employees, distribute work load among the employees, and authorize expenditures within the budget that the Trustees have previously approved. If it’s not in the budget, or under the policy direction of the Trustees, I need to bring it before them. I don’t get to make significant decisions on my own. I don’t serve at the will of one or two Trustees, but at the will of the Trustees as they determine policy and budget priorities in their scheduled and noticed public meetings.
I’ve had several people ask me to support various town projects. My role is not to be swayed by my own opinion or the opinion of others, but to provide the Trustees as decision makers with the best possible technical, financial and comparative information to inform their decision. I also provide that information to you as community members. I will most often make a recommendation based on what is possible and feasible for the town based on cost/benefit for the community and on community priorities, and I will often discuss other options and consequences for certain choices. I don’t decide on my own where I personally would like to spend the money on my pet projects. That’s not my role. In many ways, being a Town Manager means giving up the freedom to have a public personal opinion within the community that I also live in. It’s difficult when you are a paid staff person in a small town because there is pressure to support one side of complex issues. Staff, however, is supposed to remain neutral and professional in conflict and provide technical support based on sound financial and community benefit rationale and let the Trustees make the decision as representatives of the people.
To sum up: You as a Lake City voter elect the Trustees and entrust them with representing the community’s best interest, the Trustees direct me and I direct the staff. I implement the community’s vision as interpreted by the Trustees by ensuring that the staff is carrying out their will through where staff spend’s their time and the Town’s money.
So what if you feel the community’s interests aren’t being carried out? That’s why Town business is conducted in public meetings. You can call your Trustees and express your concerns and/or write a letter (signed by you, we can’t consider anonymous letters) or come to a meeting. I hope to increase the ways and means by which we hear directly from the public. It’s something I’m passionate about and from what I understand, both the Trustees and the community want.
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