The board of directors for the Round Mountain Water and Sanitation District has cleaned shop.

During a special meeting held on Friday, Jan. 30, the RMW board of directors unanimously decided to fire five of the district’s six employees.

Employees terminated effective immediately were maintenance workers Matt Gray and Brad Hartbauer, as well as office clerk Dianna Banning and office assistant Deb Whiting.

Jane Trude, who had a contract with former RMW manager Josh Cichocki to take meeting minutes, was given 30 days notice that she would also be terminated. Trude was also informed her position would be filled by whomever was hired as new office clerk.

The RMW board cited state statues as the reason for the firing of its employees.

RMW director Darrell Niles said Colorado law stated that the hiring and firing of employees, as well as the setting of their respective salaries, was the responsibility of the board.

Niles said former RMW manager Josh Cichocki had taken on that responsibility without board knowledge or approval, and as such it was better to start from scratch to rectify the situation. Cichocki was fired in December after a year on the job. Poor performance was the reason cited for his dismissal.

The “interim operator in responsible charge” of day-to-day district operations is Wayne Jones who was hired by the board last month. He was not affected by Friday’s mass firing.

The terminated employees were invited to re-apply for opening positions. 

Handling day-to-day office matters in the interim are board members Chris Haga and John Potts.

On Tuesday, the Tribune learned the board did re-hire Hartbauer on a temporary contract basis only to handle maintenance emergencies. If Hartbauer wants the job back on a permanent basis, then he will have to re-apply .

In other business during Friday night’s meeting, the board of directors decided to interview candidates for manager and for operator in responsible charge.

Finalists for manager are Tracey Garcia of Cotopaxi, Ron Keyston of Westcliffe, Chris Sandoval of Rocky Ford and Jim Blasing of Pueblo.

Finalists for ORC are interim ORC Wayne Jones, Charles Sherrod of Florida and Charles McKay of Montrose.

Interviews will begin at 1 p.m. today, Thursday, Feb. 5, in the RMW office.

Lastly, board member John Potts who serves as treasurer cited concerns regarding the RMW 2009 budget.

In 2008, said Potts, RMW spent $106,209.02 more than it took in. Total income was $646,425.99 as compared to expenses totaling $752,635.01.

Despite the loss in income, RMW did not overspend its overall 2008 budget totaling $961,375 because over $100,000 of that budget was earmarked as grant dollars being received for maintenance projects and updates that began in 2007. Those projects were scheduled to be completed by the end of 2008, however, they will not be completed until 2009 and as such that is when the grant dollars will be received.

Therefore, noted Potts, the $106,000 deficit in 2008 had to be rectified by dipping into RMW’s reserves. The deficit was attributed to the hiring of extra staff in 2008 and repairs to RMW’s lift station.

Potts said he wants the board to take a closer look at the 2009 budget and make amendments as deemed necessary. The general consensus of the board is to do just that after getting a manager on board.

The RMW board will also hold its regular monthly meeting today, Feb. 5, beginning at 5 p.m.

 And, a special meeting will take place tomorrow, Friday, Feb. 6, beginning at 4 p.m. to discuss water rights matters. The board may also go into executive session to meet with water attorney Bob Krassa to discuss pending water court cases.

RMW board members are president pro-tem Chris Haga, John Potts, John Johnston and Darrell Niles.

There is a vacancy on the RMW board. That vacancy is expected to be filled during the Feb. 5 meeting. Seeking a seat on the board are Jerry Lacy, Bob Gilchrist and Sonny Dowdy.

– Nora Drenner