Craig City Council Hires KC Hume as New Manager

Snowflakes fell on the empty streets of Craig as the city council meeting adjourned on Thursday. The decision to hire a new city manager had finally been made — after a tumultuous week. KC Hume, the former Moffat County Sheriff, will take the reins. His contract — $156,000 for the first year, was approved, but not without controversy. The council's vote was evenly split, requiring Mayor Chris Nichols' tie-breaking vote.

The hiring process was anything but smooth. A resolution to hire Hume was initially on the council's agenda for Monday, but it was unanimously voted down. An executive session on Thursday preceded the final vote. Mayor Nichols had stated earlier that the council needed more time to review the contract. The proposed contract would have commenced on April 20.

Council members Randy Looper and Derek Duran expressed concerns about Hume's background in key areas; economic development and multi-department leadership. Looper worried this could impact Hume's ability to hire an assistant city manager and economic development director. Duran echoed these concerns, citing the city's upcoming challenges in these areas.

Council member Joe Herod countered, arguing that Hume's leadership skills would be enough to make the city look good. Herod emphasized that the council could always "fix the mistake" if things didn't work out. Mayor Nichols supported Hume's hiring, acknowledging the former sheriff's weaknesses but pointing out that the contract included provisions to address these areas. The contract would allow the city to hire an assistant city manager and economic development director, which could help attract talent to the position.

Nichols also mentioned that the contract included "certain outs" that made him feel more comfortable with the decision. Duran still had reservations, stating that Hume's inexperience in economic development was a significant concern for the next two years. Despite these concerns, the council ultimately approved the contract - with the mayor's deciding vote.

The city's priorities will now be in Hume's hands. He will be responsible for making key decisions, including hiring staff and overseeing economic development. The community will be watching to see how he navigates these challenges. Make no mistake. this decision will have a significant impact on the city's future.

As the news spreads, folks around here are likely to have mixed reactions. Some will welcome Hume's leadership, while others will remain skeptical. The city council's decision may have ended the hiring saga, but it's only the beginning of a new chapter for Craig. Worth watching, how Hume's approach to economic development will affect the city's growth.

The short version: KC Hume is now the city manager, but the council's decision was far from unanimous. Read that again; the vote was tied, and the mayor had to break the tie. This will be a crucial period for the city, and the community will be paying close attention to Hume's decisions. The city's budget, economic development, and staff hiring will all be under scrutiny.

In Craig, the city manager's salary is a significant expense - $156,000 is a substantial amount for a city of this size. That's what Moffat County spends on some of its community programs in a year. The city council's decision to approve this contract will have long-term implications for the city's finances and development.

As the city moves forward with Hume at the helm, the community will be waiting to see how he addresses the challenges ahead. The city council's vote may have been decisive, but it's only the beginning of a new era for Craig. The real question. can Hume deliver on the city's priorities, given his limited background in certain key areas?