In Elbert County, a lawsuit has been filed against three county commissioners – Chris Richardson, Dallas Schroeder, and Grant Thayer – alleging that they conducted official business in a non-transparent manner by awarding hefty contracts to County Manager Shawn Fletcher and County Attorney Bart Greer. The commissioners have asked the court to dismiss the case, arguing that the approval of the contracts at a special meeting makes the plaintiffs’ claims moot. However, the plaintiffs are committed to obtaining a favorable judgment on all three claims, including a request to void the contracts and have the commissioners reimburse any expenses incurred beyond the approved budget.
Richardson, who is also a Republican candidate for the Colorado House of Representatives, has defended the board’s actions, citing open meetings laws and stating that the responsibility of the county is to keep expenditures within appropriations. The lawsuit has caused controversy in the county, with locals questioning the transparency of the commissioners’ actions.
If the plaintiffs are successful in voiding the contracts, the commissioners could be held financially responsible for any additional expenses incurred. The case highlights the importance of transparency and accountability in local governance, with the outcome potentially setting a precedent for how public officials conduct official business in Elbert County.
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