What can we reason but from what we know? -Alexander Pope
Laura Schroetlin is the new Phillips County Administrator. Schroetlin, who has been with the County since August 2010, officially took over administrator duties on Jan. 28.
Schroetlin began her career with Phillips County a decade ago as a part-time administrative secretary and later moved to full-time administrative support. Moving through the ranks, Schroetlin then became the administrator assistant and later interim administrator when Randy Schafer passed away. Following Schafer's passing, the county hired Pam Jensen and Schroetlin was named deputy administrator until officially taking over as administrator last week.
In addition to almost 11 years worth of experience in the County administrative office, Schroetlin also has an extensive background in accounting. For a number of years Schroetlin did books for her family's farming operation in addition to several organizations in Holyoke.
Schroetlin and her husband, Mark, have been married for 45 years and reside in the Holyoke community. The couple have two sons, Curt, who also lives in Holyoke, and Josh, who passed away a year ago this March. The Schroetlins also have six grandchildren and enjoy camping, going to the lake and watching the Colorado Rockies.
"I'm just really looking forward to having the job," Schroetlin said on the first day in her new position. "Although my knowledge of the planning portion isn't as vast as it needs to be, great people on the Planning Commission and the Board of Adjustments are sharing their wisdom and experiences - some of which have been on these boards for many more years than I have worked here."
Since Schroetlin's advancement to administrator leaves an open position in the administration office, the County will be looking to hire another person. Schroetlin said the deputy administrator position will not be replaced but an administration assistant will be hired.
"As I am realistically more towards the end of my career here than at the beginning, I am interested in hiring someone who would be great at this job in the future," Schroetlin said. "When I am ready, I would love to leave this job with full confidence that the transition to the next administrator would be seamless."
Schroetlin said that with two recent major building projects over the past 10 years, the Event Center and Bank of Colorado Pavilion at the Phillips County Fair Grounds, she doesn't foresee any big projects in the immediate future but she does hope to continue to maintain county property in such a way that brings pride to the residents of Phillips County.
"I know we have the personnel to do that," she added.
As for challenges, Schroetlin said COVID-19 and funding associated with the pandemic will be at the top of the list.
"We need to continue to use those funds in a way that best meets the needs of the citizens of Phillips County," Schroetlin said. Additionally, budgets and grant opportunities will also be a priority, she said.
"Budgeting will always be a challenge as our opportunities for revenue rely so heavily on property taxes and is also tied to the ups (and downs) of the ag economy. There are some grants in progress that need to be completed - United States Department of Agriculture grant to fund a new patrol car, CDOT Courthouse Square sidewalk project, E911 surcharge increase request to fund new mandatory fees."
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