SOUTH FORK— South Fork Town Manager Tom Acre announced his resignation on Tuesday, June 27. Acre came to South Fork almost three years ago, when after some personnel issues, the town had to remove the present town administrator, who was then replaced by Acre in an interim position. Acre has since spent his time streamlining meetings, bringing the town up to date with state regulations and causing a stir within the community due to his salary requirements.
According to Mayor Rodney Reed, Acre will be missed by the town and several other entities within the San Luis Valley, where Acre has played an integral part in organizations like the Colorado Municipal League, the Upper Rio Grande Economic Council. “We want the public to know that we hate to lose him after all he has helped accomplish and that he will be missed,” said Reed. He continued to state that the town will be preparing for the future in the next few weeks and will be deciding where to go from here.
Acre stated that the reason for his resignation is one that came to him as a very difficult decision. “I wasn’t looking for another job opportunity, but one came along and it would bring me closer to family,” said Acre. Acre accepted the new position that will entail similar job duties as a town manager in another Colorado community of similar size and one that is also driven by tourism. “I like to leave the communities that I serve in better condition than when I came on board and I feel like I have done that here in South Fork.”
One of the main concerns of several community members in South Fork was the pay Acre was receiving for his services, a salary of just under $100,000 a year. During the time for negotiations for the contract that was signed between the town board and Acre it was brought to light that this particular salary is common in town administration positions and the amount was approved. Acre will be leaving South Fork under his own volition and isn’t doing so for more benefits and an increase in pay. “The increase in pay is not the reason I am leaving. This was a very difficult decision to make,” finished Acre.
Mayor Reed stated that the town will be making a public announcement after the Fourth of July holidays about Acre’s resignation and what the town plans to do as far as hiring for the position. Acre gave the town a 45-day notice and will be leaving sometime at the beginning of August. “I really loved working for this community and feel that I have done some good here and in the Valley during a very detrimental time,” stated Acre.