Transit authority planned to pick its first director before voters decide its tax
Four finalists were scheduled to interview Oct. 24 for the job, which pays $150,000 to $180,000 a year. Voters decide Ballot Measure 7A, the authority's proposed half-cent sales tax, Nov. 3.
The Yampa Valley Regional Transportation Authority's board planned to choose its first executive director by the end of October, days before voters decide Ballot Measure 7A, a proposed half-cent sales tax to fund the authority, the Steamboat Pilot & Today reported Oct. 11.
The board was scheduled to interview four finalists Saturday, Oct. 24, at Hayden Town Hall, the Pilot reported: William Higdon of Okaloosa County, Florida; Charles Odimgbe of the Toledo Area Regional Transit Authority; Carson Priest of the Smart Commute transportation management organization in north Denver; and Brent Timm of the Okanogan County Transit Authority in Washington.
The job pays $150,000 to $180,000 a year and is based in Craig, according to the recruiter's posting. The director will be the authority's first employee.
The authority was formed after voter approval in 2025, through an agreement among Routt County, Steamboat Springs, Craig, Hayden, Oak Creek and Yampa, with one board member from each, the posting says.
On Oct. 27, the recruiter's posting still listed the search as "Interviewing," and neither the Pilot nor the Craig Press had reported a choice.
The Independent is asking the board whether it has chosen a director, how it will pay the salary before any tax revenue arrives and what happens to the position if 7A fails, and will update this story with any response.
What's next
Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 3.
Sources: the recruiter's job posting for the position; the Steamboat Pilot & Today's Oct. 11 report on the finalists; the Town of Hayden's Oct. 15 council agenda, which names Ballot Measure 7A; and the Independent's Oct. 12 story on the tax.