HomeMy WebLinkAboutresolution.council.075-26RESOLUTION N0.075
(Series of 2026)
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ASPEN,
COLORADO, AFFIRMING THE APPOINTMENT AND HIRING OF MATTHEW
BENJAMIN BUTT AS ASSISTANT CITY ATTORNEY.
WHEREAS, pursuant to Section 7.1 of the Charter of the City of Aspen, the City
Council "may provide the city attorney such assistants as council may deem necessary;"
and,
WHEREAS, in the 2023 budget, the City Council of the City of Aspen
authorized the budget necessary to expand the Office of the City Attorney by adding an
additional Assistant City Attorney; and,
WHEREAS, in 2025, Kate Johnson, Assistant City Attorney, was promoted to
the position of City Attorney resulting in the vacancy of an Assistant City Attorney
position; and,
WHEREAS, pursuant to standard hiring procedures utilized by the City of Aspen
and by the City Attorney's office for hiring assistant city attorneys, the City Attorney's
Office with the assistance of the Human Resources Department solicited applications for
the position; and,
WHEREAS, notice of the open position was posted with the local bar
association, the state bar association, and the Colorado Municipal League. The first
round of interviews proved unsuccessful in filling the position, and thus the City
Attorney's Office solicited applications for the position a second time earlier this year.
Over twenty individuals submitted applications for the position. The City Attorney,
Special Counsel, James R. True, and Assistant City Attorney Luisa Berne reviewed all
applications and interviewed numerous candidates. Following the initial interviews, a
panel of staff members who work closely with the City Attorney's office was assembled
to interview candidates recommended by the City Attorneys and,
WHEREAS, the panel endorsed Matthew Butt to be recommended to the City
Council as a new Assistant City Attorney; and,
WHEREAS, Mr. Butt has lived in the Roaring Fork Valley since 2024 and has
served as an associate municipal attorney with the local law firm of Garfield &Hecht,
P.C. Mr. Butt earned his law degree from Northwestern Pritzker School of Law, and
attended the University of Georgia, where he graduated cum laude with a bachelor's
degree in economics, and,
WHEREAS, the City Attorney submits that Mr. Butt is a great fit for this position
and will be a valuable resource to the City's legal team. During the interview process,
Mr. Butt demonstrated intelligence, integrity, a strong sense of ethics, as well as a great
understanding of the complex legal challenges facing the community. Although Mr. Butt
only recently graduated from law school, he has built a strong foundation in municipal
law through his experience representing Western Slope towns as well as resort mountain
towns which will allow him to effectively represent the interests of City Council and the
organization.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF
THE CITY OF ASPEN, COLORADO, THAT:
The City Council hereby affirms the appointment and hiring of Matthew Benjamin Butt as
Assistant City Attorney on such terms and conditions as are standard upon the hiring of a
City employee and/or as may be set by the City Attorney.
RESOLVED, APPROVED, AND ADOPTED FINALLY by the City Council of the
City of Aspen on the 26th day of May, 2026,
I, Nicole Henning, duly appointed and acting City Clerk do certify that the foregoing
is a true and accurate copy of that resolution adopted by the City Council of the City of
Aspen, Colorado, at a meeting held on the day h einabove stated. /
Nicole Henning, City
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