Torrance County Commission Brings On New Deputy County Manager
The Torrance County Commission held a brief special meeting on Tuesday, January 20, 2026, to address organizational and budgetary matters, including mid-year budget adjustments, personnel reclassifications, and approval of a new deputy county manager employment agreement.
At the start of the meeting, commissioners voted unanimously to keep Ryan Schwebach as commission chair and to appoint Linda Jaramillo as vice chair for the upcoming term.
Mid-year budget adjustments approved
The commission approved Resolution No. 2026-5, authorizing adjustments to the county’s Fiscal Year 2025–2026 budget following a mid-year review. County finance staff explained that the majority of the adjustments stemmed from newly awarded grants and capital appropriations.
Among the largest items included in the budget adjustment were:
- A $3.75 million appropriation for the county administration building
- A $75,000 appropriation for the animal shelter building
- A $350,000 award for a countywide digital radio system
- New grant funding for senior center projects, including kitchen equipment replacement
- Grant reversions, including unused funds from firefighter recruitment and a small reversion of unused sheriff’s department bonus funding
No additional funds were earmarked for road construction or repair at this time. Commissioners approved the resolution unanimously.
Finance staffing reclassification approved
Commissioners also approved a request to temporarily reclassify two vacant part-time float clerk positions into a single seasonal financial assistant position. The change is intended to provide short-term support to the county’s finance operations during a transition period following changes in management staff (Finance Director/Deputy County Manager Misty Witt is leaving her position).
Under the approved action, the seasonal position would be in place for approximately 90 to 120 days. The position would focus on financial oversight, reporting assistance, and training support during the transition. The reclassification will automatically revert to the two original clerk positions at the conclusion of the temporary period.
Changes to financial account authorization
The commission approved a letter to Bank of America removing Misty Witt as a primary authorized user on the county’s P-Court account and adding Chief Deputy Treasurer Ellen Gutierrez as the new primary authorized user.
Deputy county manager contract approved
Commissioners unanimously approved an employment agreement with Michelle Jones to replace Misty Witt in the position of deputy county manager. The agreement is for a two-year term and took effect upon approval. County officials indicated the contract had been reviewed by legal counsel and all parties prior to the vote.
Jones signed the agreement following the commission’s approval and was welcomed by the commissioners.
Meeting adjourned
The meeting concluded with an announcement that the next regular meeting of the Torrance County Commission is scheduled for January 28, 2026. The commission then adjourned.