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Pitkin County is nearing its final stages in hiring a deputy county manager, and the job could be filled by a Roaring Fork Valley familiar face.
Aspen Daily News learned at least two of the five finalists for the job are locals: current Basalt Town Manager Ryan Mahoney and former Aspen City Manager Sara Ott.
The county began the hiring process with 47 applicants and has narrowed it down to five, according to Pitkin County Communications Manager Alycin Bektesh. She said the county hopes to fill the position by the end of the month.
A county leadership team panel holds final decision power for hiring the position. The Pitkin Board of County Commissioners only has power to hire or fire the county manager and county attorney positions.
The county declined to name its top five candidates, citing state statute that “records submitted by or on behalf of an applicant or candidate for any employment position” from inspection.
When reached for comment Tuesday, neither Mahoney nor Ott commented on their status for the position.
“I think you’re putting me in a difficult position,” Ott said via phone. “I want to honor [the county’s] process and their choices.”
Ott resigned from the city manager position in late February, her last day being Feb. 28. Per her separation agreement, Ott received a compensation rate of $283,893 until her last day — a 6% raise from her former salary of $267,824.
She also received a 10-month lump sum payment based on the $283,893 amount. She resigned from the city in good standing, according to the agreement.
Ott was a finalist in the city manager search for the city of Louisville in Boulder County. She did not get the job.
Mahoney has served as the Basalt town manager since 2017. He said per his employment contract with the town, he must give a 60-day notice before leaving the position.
“I’m not going to comment right now,” he said at Basalt Town Hall on Wednesday.
According to Basalt’s Resolution No. 32 Series of 2021, Mahoney got a pay raise from $155,000 annually to $167,000, which would increase annually “equal to the percentage increase of other Town employee salaries…”
The new hire will assume the role that former Deputy County Manager Rich Englehart left open with his recent retirement, though he still works for the county part-time in a consultant capacity. The county announced his impending retirement last September.
Pitkin County Sheriff Michael Buglione said he recently took the five candidates on a tour of the Pitkin County Jail, which will require major financial investment in the near future.
According to the job listing, the salary range for the job is $158,545 to $247,727, depending on qualifications. Hybrid work with three days per week in the office is offered.
Housing is not provided with the position, according to the listing, but the county offers housing assistance programs to its employees.
Responsibilities for the position include oversight of the Aspen-Pitkin County Airport and public works, open space and trails, telecommunications, construction and assets departments.
Englehart oversaw much of the county’s airport business, regularly attending Airport Advisory Board meetings and spearheading the sustainable aviation fuel feasibility study grantseeking with the state Department of Local Affairs.
The new hire will join Deputy County Manager Kara Silbernagel and County Manager Jon Peacock’s office.