Steamboat Pilot & Today

Steamboat Springs — Ben Beall is leaving the Routt County Commission today after eight years in the post.

Because of term limitations set by the state, Beall had to vacate his seat on the board, which will be filled by Doug Monger.

Beall said Monday he will spend the rest of the winter drawing plans for a new house and will spend the coming summer building it.

But don't get the impression Beall has attended his last public meeting in an official capacity.

"I hope Ben will continue to follow through on the process of hiring a county manager, because that's something the three of us initiated," Commissioner Nancy Stahoviak said. She was referring also to Commissioner Dan Ellison.

The commissioners, together with an interview committee, have conducted 11 video interviews for the newly created post.

They have asked personnel manager Chris Hensen to check references and do background checks on six of those candidates before they come up with a short list of candidates for county manager. If all goes well, the county manager could be hired by the end of February, Stahoviak said. However, Beall still won't be off the hook.

Beall said he also remains committed to the effort to build a new county court facility and will continue serving on that committee if the commissioners will have him.

Beall also chairs the Emerald Mountain Partnership. He will no longer be the official county representative on that body Monger will fill that role but Beall said he would like to continue in his current role.

He also wants to stick with his chairmanship of the Yampa River Basin Partnership.

Ellison, tongue firmly in cheek, said he looks forward to Monger keeping a neater office than Beall has over the past eight years. He observed that Monger was the part-time finance director in Hayden at a time when he was town administrator. Ellison said he was impressed with the quality of Monger's work.

Beall acknowledged it will feel strange to leave the routine of his work as county commissioner.

"I will have withdrawal from the county," Beall said. "It's good service. I'd recommend it to anyone. It's not as onerous as people think."

Stahoviak said she will always appreciate the fact that she and Beall could have differences of opinion and still work well together.

"I think this board has worked really well as a team," Stahoviak said.