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County Manager Kevin Batchelder

Garfield County appoints Kevin Batchelder as new county manager

PRESS RELEASE
December 21, 2015

GARFIELD COUNTY, CO – Kevin Batchelder was unanimously appointed as the new Garfield County Manager in the Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) meeting Monday, December 21, 2015. Batchelder has served as the Acting County Manager since July 1, 2015, and previously served as the Deputy County Manager since April of 2014.

“Congratulations,” said Commissioner Tom Jankovsky to Batchelder during the BOCC meeting. “You did an excellent job in your interview and your presentation to the community, and I look forward to working with you for many years to come.”

Batchelder led the county during the interim stage with a strong emphasis on a very detailed budget and capital project review process, relying on his extensive experience in public budgeting and capital improvement planning. This year’s budget process included numerous work sessions with the Board of County Commissioners and multiple public meetings. His experience in budgeting will be utilized in upcoming years with the projected decreases in county property tax revenue, starting in 2017.

Batchelder not only works to directly implement BOCC direction, he is active in representing the county on boards and committees, including the Garfield County Economic Development Partners, the Garfield County Water Forum, the Colorado Mountain College Rifle Campus Advisory Board, regionally on Club 20, and statewide with Colorado Counties, Inc.

Batchelder has led a strong management team during the interim period. Additionally, a project management team has been put into place to provide cross-department coordination and oversight on the implementation of all capital projects. The capital budget includes major projects in 2016, such as Cattle Creek/Highway 82 acceleration/deceleration improvements, a Rifle Garfield County Airport entryway project, Garfield County Fairgrounds improvements, property acquisitions, and completion of a new administration building in Rifle. The project management team is providing oversight on these major projects.

“My emphasis moving forward will be to provide excellent customer service and continual improvement in the provision of public services,” said Batchelder. “We have a lot on our plate, and with the support of our elected officials, our management team and dedicated staff, we are poised to accomplish all of the county’s goals on behalf of Garfield County communities. I look forward to working with the Board of County Commissioners to advance its priorities in services, and in making Garfield County a better place to live, work and visit.”

Batchelder has 26 years of experience in public administration, including 18 years as the chief administrative officer for municipalities, both metropolitan and rural. Kevin holds the “Credentialed Manager” certification from the International City/County Management Association (ICMA), the leading local government professional management association. In 2014, he was recognized for 25 years of local government service as an ICMA member. Kevin is also a member of the Colorado City/County Management Association (CCCMA) and the Association of Colorado County Administrators (ACCA).

“It was important to the commissioners that we conduct a transparent and competitive national search for our next county manager,” said Commissioner Tom Jankovsky. “We had more than 40 applicants from around the country, and a very competitive field of finalists for the position. Kevin stood out due to his experience, leadership and knowledge of Garfield County.”

Batchelder offered commendation to the Garfield County Human Resources (HR) Department for its work in the search. “Diane Hayes, our HR director, did an excellent job of conducting a thorough national search, coordinating the candidate selection committee, properly vetting all the candidates, and structuring a comprehensive interview process with the board, the other elected officials, the management team and the public.”

Batchelder continued, “My family and I have made Garfield County our permanent home. It is a wonderful place to raise a family and we are enjoying being part of the community.”