The Garfield County Board of County Commissioners voted on Oct. 13 to table a Department of Human Services (DHS) request to fill three open positions — two in child support and one in child welfare — and asked staff to return with updated budget information at the Oct. 20 meeting.

DHS Director Sharon Longhurst appeared to present the request but commissioners and budget‑committee members said the request should be reviewed in the context of the board’s upcoming budget hearings. The board’s motion to table, made during the Oct. 13 meeting, was seconded and passed by voice vote.

Why it matters: filling DHS positions affects the county’s service delivery for child-support enforcement and child-welfare oversight; the board deferred action to ensure alignment with the county’s budget process.

What the board asked for: commissioners asked DHS and budget staff to provide additional fiscal details and to return on Oct. 20 when the board resumes action on budget‑related items.

Quote from the record: “I would like to ask for a continuance on this or just put it back on the agenda,” a commissioner said; the motion to table was adopted by voice vote.

Next steps: DHS and county finance staff will present updated budget details on Oct. 20; the board will then consider the hiring request in the budget context.