Interim Mesa County administrator to begin work on Jan. 3

An interim Mesa County administrator is expected to start working on Jan. 3 while the commissioners decide how — and if — to fill the position on a permanent basis.

Tom Papin has accepted an offer to serve as interim administrator for the next three to six months.

Papin previously served as director of the Mesa County Department of Human Services. Until he recently retired, he also served as director of the Hillsborough County Division of Children’s Services in Florida for five years.

“We believe Tom can hit the ground running,” said Mesa County Commissioner Craig Meis. “His experience and contacts in Mesa County make him extremely well qualified to take the reins. We’re eager to work with Tom and hear his ideas for the county organization.”

Papin said, “I am excited and honored to be joining the Mesa County team.”

The decision to extend an offer to Papin to serve as interim administrator constitutes the latest step in what’s been a lengthy search to replace Jon Peacock, who resigned in July. Peacock subsequently was hired as county manager in Pitkin County.

The commissioners are now considering other options. They could continue searching for a new administrator. Alternatively, they could opt not to fill the position. The commissioners plan to consider an option in which departments would report directly to the commissioners and commissioners would serve as liaisons to individual departments.