Town of Hugo, CO - Town Clerk / Administrator
The Town of Hugo is seeking a dedicated and experienced individual to serve as Town Clerk / Administrator. This is an excellent opportunity to serve in a small and friendly rural community in an important, multi-faceted role.

KRW Associates, LLC is assisting with this search process. To view the full posting go to: www.KRW-Associates.com/open-positions.

The Town & Surrounding Community
Established in the year 1909, the charming Town of Hugo, nestled in the heart of Colorado's Central Eastern Plains, boasts a population of 787 residents. Located approximately 105 miles southeast of Denver, 90 miles northeast of Colorado Springs, and just 91 miles from the Kansas border, this tight-knit rural community offers a safe haven for its residents.
Hugo, positioned along the bustling Highway 40/287, encompasses and 8x9 block area, encircled by a thriving farming and ranching community. Serving as the county seat of Lincoln County, Hugo is a statutory town with its own dedicated law enforcement agency, the Hugo Marshals Office. The Hugo Fire Protection District serves the Town and the surrounding area.
The town prides itself on a robust school system, family-oriented community activities, affordable housing options, the tranquil seclusion of rural living, and an unwavering sense of connection rooted in small-town values and culture. Among its community amenities are a public library and a Municipal Swimming Pool. The Hedlund House Museum, community building, and Eastern Trails Depot contribute to the town’s cultural richness. Furthermore, Hugo boasts two municipal parks and a nearby Lincoln County Fairgrounds, which hosts the annual Lincoln County Fair, multiple rodeos, and other community events throughout the year
Education in Hugo is entrusted to the Genoa-Hugo School District No. C-113, known for its dedicated leadership and staff across elementary, middle and high school levels. For healthcare needs, residents rely on Lincoln Health, a comprehensive regional full-service hospital and care center that adheres to the motto “Neighbors Caring for Neighbors.” Their services encompass primary and specialty care, tele-health, therapy, home health, hospice care, laboratory services, and an assisted living center.

Hugo stands out with its exceptional technology infrastructure, offering fiber internet services to every residence and business. The town's vital services and employers include ESTech, KC Electric, Lincoln County, Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office, USDA/FSA Office, and the First National Bank of Hugo-Limon. The vibrant small business community includes numerous family-owned enterprises.

A typical day in Hugo may involve savoring coffee and pastries at the local coffee shop, browsing treasures at downtown antique stores, exploring the historic Union Pacific Railroad brick round houses, relishing a home-cooked meal at a local restaurant, or taking a leisurely stroll along the Kinney Lake trails. Despite its modest geographical size, Hugo thrives as a bustling county seat.

The Town of Hugo employs 9 full-time individuals; the Town Clerk/Administrator, the Deputy Town Clerk, the Court Clerk/PD Administrator, the Public Works Director, two Public Works staff, and three full-time and one part-time Law Enforcement Officers. The Code Enforcement Officer and Municipal Judge are contract positions.

The Position
The Town Clerk/Administrator is a full-time, exempt, benefit-eligible and salaried position. The Town Clerk/Administrator oversees the day-to-day municipal operations, and functions as the Chief Operating/Chief Administrative Officer. The Town Clerk/Administrator will work with the Mayor, Board of Trustees, Deputy Town Clerk and Town Staff, to carry out the day-to-day functions of the Town and facilitate the formulation and implementation of long-range plans. The Town Clerk/Administrator reports to the Trustees and is responsible for the proper administration of the Town’s business affairs.

The successful candidate will:
Provide strategic leadership in the development and implementation of town policies, procedures, and initiatives.
Act as the chief administrative officer, overseeing all town administrative functions, including human resources, benefit administration, finance, accounting and payroll administration.
Prepare the town's annual budget and strategic plan.
• Represent the Town of Hugo in meetings.
• Ensure compliance with all financial regulations and reporting requirements.
• Collaborate with the Public Works Director and Hugo’s Chief Marshal to ensure efficient and effective delivery of town services and serve as the primary point of contact for citizens' inquiries.
• Serve as the Designated Election Official.
• Serve as the Records Manager to maintain and preserve official town records and cemetery records in compliance with applicable laws and regulations and coordinates and manage open records requests.
• Supervise and enforce terms and conditions of all leases, contracts and agreements.
• Responsible for the research, application and administration of state, federal and private grant opportunities.
• Develop and maintain a code of ethics and conduct for town employees and officials. Promote and enforce ethical conduct and transparent communications.
• Oversee zoning, land development, and planning functions to ensure compliance with local regulations.
• Facilitate communication and collaboration between Hugo Main Street, Lincoln County Economic Development, and the Town Board. Collaborate with the Town Board to promote responsible and sustainable economic growth and land use within the town.
• Serve as the primary liaison between the Town Board and town staff. Provide regular reports, updates, and recommendations to the Town Board on town operations, financial status, land use planning, and policy matters.
• Supervise and provide guidance to the Deputy Clerk in their day-to-day responsibilities and delegate tasks and responsibilities to ensure efficient office operations.
Opportunities & Challenges
The candidate in this role will be at the heart of a welcoming community, providing essential leadership while nurturing their own professional growth in various critical areas. Diverse responsibilities include shaping the town's vision, facilitating strategic planning, ensuring exemplary customer service and spearheading staff development. This is also a chance to forge robust working relationships with local, state, and federal agencies, collaborating on important initiatives such as community development, grant applications, and infrastructure projects.

Key elements include maintaining public trust, overseeing municipal departments, advising Trustees, and championing innovative customer service practices. Additionally, the successful candidate will serve as a vital link in official meetings, act as the Human Resource Officer, manage budgets, enforce contracts, lead long-range planning efforts, handle public relations, and actively pursue valuable grant opportunities.

Flexibility is critical as the successful candidate will need to don multiple hats, with proficiency required in various aspects of municipal operations and governance, specifically, administrative leadership, finance, records management, human resources, benefits administration, election operations, cemetery administration, public relations, grant writing, and town board relations and governance.

The Town Clerk/Administrator will oversee the Deputy Town Clerk's work and report directly to the Town Board, making it a pivotal role in Hugo's administration.

Challenges facing the successful candidate include:
1. the remote location of Hugo, 1.5-hour drive from Denver and Colorado Springs.
2. the availability of limited recreation and community amenities.
3. the aging water and sewer infrastructure; and
4. the structure of the position, which requires a working knowledge of many operational areas to successfully perform all required duties.

The Ideal Candidate
• Is eager to embrace the Hugo community and become a visible leader who is willing to establish himself/herself long-term in Hugo.
• Is a strong and effective leader who is ethical and of strong personal and professional character.
• Is skilled in preparing and administering municipal budgets, and directing and administering municipal programs. Is proficient in analyzing comprehensive reports and providing professional oversight of important projects and initiatives.
• An experienced and effective leader who will develop and mentor staff to ensure a healthy and efficient work environment.
• Is a visionary who has an appreciation for and understanding of small-town values, the agricultural industry, the local rural setting and culture, and its inter-relationship and delicate balance with economic development.
• Has previous experience in municipal government working in an Administrator, Town Clerk, Deputy Town Clerk, or in an administrative role with financial and leadership responsibilities.
• Is a strong and effective communicator, verbally and in writing.
• Is experienced and comfortable preparing and presenting clear and organized presentations, documentation, and reports.
• Demonstrates a strong understanding of local government operations, including municipal codes, regulations and ordinances and the associated legalities.
• Is organized, detailed and very efficient with administrative tasks, records management, and meeting preparation.
• Is proficient with computer software designed for document management, data analysis, and communication.
• Demonstrates excellent customer service when interacting with residents and stakeholders.
• Is adaptable to changing regulations, technology, and administrative procedures.
• Certified through the International Institute of Municipal Clerks (IIMC), or a similar organization.
Qualifications
• Bachelor's degree in Public Administration, or related Bachelor’s Degree, or previous experience in municipal government administration, including knowledge of local government operations, accounting, finance, and land use planning.
• Strong leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills.
• Exceptional grasp of financial concepts and adeptness in business management.
• Excellent organizational and problem-solving abilities.
• Knowledge of relevant state and federal laws and regulations.
• Ethical and transparent conduct with a commitment to upholding the highest standards and ethics of public service.

Compensation & Benefit Summary
Hiring Range: $75,500 – $90,000 (Depending on Qualifications)
• Health Insurance- The Town pays 100% of the employee premium.
• Health Savings Account- The Town contributes the equivalent amount of the employee’s insurance yearly deductible to an HSA account.
• Retirement Plans- The Town offers a 3% match to the 401k plan for all full-time employees.
• Vacation Leave- Starts at 84 hours per year and increases based on accrued years of service.
• Sick Leave- Up to 96 hours per year.
• Paid Holidays - Ten paid holidays per year.
• Current four-day work schedule.
• Town pays for basic water, trash collection and sewer fees for employees who live within Town limits.

To Apply- Application materials accepted electronically at: Apply@KRW-Associates.com
Attach a cover letter, resume and contact information for six (6) professional references.
Deadline- Open Until Filled
Questions should be directed to info@KRW-Associates.com or by phone to: Lorne Kramer, KRW Managing Partner - 719-310-8960, KRW Associates, Larry Borland- 719-499-8078, Mark Collins- 307-460-1941 or Gina McGrail- 303-249-9572.
The Town of Hugo, CO is an equal opportunity employer.