Gorgey likely out as Garfield County manager
County Manager Andrew Gorgey and the Garfield County commissioners are expected to “agree to a mutual separation” at a special meeting scheduled for Wednesday morning, the county said Tuesday in a news release.
Gorgey was hired in June 2011 as the Garfield County attorney, then served dually as county attorney and as acting county manager from January through May 2012. He became county manager on June 1, 2012.
The official record regarding his employment, which the commissioners are expected to approve at the special meeting, includes the notations “Positive recommendation. Would rehire,” the news release said.
It is the second high-level departure from the county in a little over two months.
In mid-April, County Attorney Frank Hutfless decided to retire, board Chairman John Martin told the Post Independent in early May, days after Hutfless’ last day. Hutfless had been named county attorney in August 2012, replacing Gorgey.
Gorgey has been president of the Association of Colorado County Administrators since 2013.
He declined to comment Tuesday when reached by email.
The county said Deputy County Manager Kevin Batchelder, a veteran public administrator hired in April 2014, will remain with the county.
The news release provided a long list of accomplishments during Gorgey’s tenure, including:
• Eliminating all county debt, saving $4.45 million in future interest payments, and growing fund balances to approximately $135 million.
• Creating the Garfield County Federal Mineral Lease District, which has provided more than $12 million in grants.
• More than $6 million in infrastructure grants to local municipalities.
• A major revision of the Garfield County Land Use and Development Code.
• Multimillion dollar capital investments in the Garfield County Fairgrounds in Rifle and multiple major strategic real estate acquisitions in Glenwood Springs and Rifle.
WineInk: Wine at Food & Wine
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