The Cortez City Council appointed a new member on Tuesday to fill a vacancy that opened up in August.
Robert Dobry, director of corporate support for local radio station KSJD, was appointed by four votes out of six city councilors.
Dobry served on the Dolores Planning and Zoning Board and as a trustee for the town of Dolores before moving to Cortez in 2017.
He also serves as the secretary and treasurer of the Montezuma County Hospital District, the organization that serves as property owner of the Southwest Health System and uses tax revenues to fulfill their intended use on behalf of Montezuma County residents.
Councilors were drawn to Dobry’s experience with large budgets on the county level, and his desire to help watch over city financials.
“I’m really excited to work with them,” Dobry said in a phone interview on Wednesday.
He will be sworn in at the next meeting.
Dobry also said he would focus on supporting the business community over the coming months, as they are the tax base for Cortez.
“We have our work cut out for us with everything going on in the world,” he said.
In his interview with City Council during the work session Sept. 22, Dobry said his most valuable trait is his ability to listen to others.
“We might not agree on how to get there, but if we can work together we can make a decision together,” Dobry said.
Mayor Mike Lavey said Dobry is very knowledgeable about finances and managing budgets and will be “easy to work with.”
“He’s open-minded, and he’s going to work well with us,” Lavey said.
With only six members on the board for the past couple months, it has been hard to avoid tie votes, Lavey said.
“It will be good having seven members on council again,” he said.
Thirteen people applied for the seat, which opened when Councilor Sue Betts died after serving her city for two years on the council and for 29 years in law enforcement.
Applicants Geof Byerly, Lydia DeHaven and Robert Rime also received votes.
“It was a tough choice. There were many qualified candidates,” Lavey said.
Dobry will serve on the City Council until the next municipal election in April 2022.
