The Elbert County attorney, who came under community fire last year over a 40% bump in his annual salary, has parted ways with the county, according to documents obtained by The Denver Gazette through an open records request.

Bart Greer, who had served as the Elbert County attorney for more than eight years, was “separated” from the county “without cause” on June 1.

The county will seek legal counsel elsewhere for all legal matters.

Elbert County officials declined to provide details of Greer’s departure, citing “confidentiality and privacy.”

Attempts to reach Greer for comment have been unsuccessful so far.

The redacted separation agreement provided to The Denver Gazette states that Greer will receive a gross lump sum payment of $156,824, less any reductions required by law.

Greer will also receive another lump sum payment of $22,403, provided that he signs a waiver releasing the county of liability and agreeing not to sue.

Greer, along with current Elbert County Manager Shawn Fletcher, first encountered difficulties in the summer of 2024 after both received extended employment contracts and hefty pay bumps, which residents alleged were determined and obligated county funds outside of the public eye.

Fletcher, who had been on the job for less than 18 months at the time of his contract extension, saw a pay bump of $80,000 over his 2023 agreement, bringing his annual salary to $220,000. Additionally, he was given a county-owned or leased vehicle, a monthly housing allowance of $1,500, and an extra two weeks (eight days) of vacation leave above his current accrual rate.

Greer, who has represented the county for seven years, also received an annual salary of $220,000 and the use of a county vehicle. A previous contract signed by Greer in January 2023 stipulated a new annual salary of $145,500.

The residents alleged that the contracts were approved without public disclosure and eventually filed a lawsuit against the county.

Elbert County resident and plaintiff Jill Duvall told The Denver Gazette that Greer had been advising former Elbert County Commissioners Chris Richardson and Grant Thayer and current Elbert County Commissioner Dallas Schroeder on actions regarding his own contract.

“The advice that Greer gave to the BOCC that these two new contracts (County Attorney and County Manager) could be implemented without a public hearing was incorrect,” Duvall said.”Greer’s advice violated the Open Meetings Law and was only corrected when the BOCC approved these contracts six months after the implementation of them in a properly noticed public meeting.”

County officials had argued that the issue was a personnel matter and fell under their purview to address.

“(This) could not happen sooner,” said resident Chris Hatton, also a plaintiff. “We are working very hard to clear the deadwood out of the county and create a new culture that is focused on the county and not serving as a lapdog to the developers and others that want to exploit our resources. That battle is gaining momentum. The new commissioners were step one. Getting rid of the county attorney was step two.” 

Greer, as county attorney, also oversaw the county’s open records requests.

“He consistently found excuses to deny access to public information,” Duvall said. “Often times, after citizens did their own research, needed information was uncovered.”

Earlier this year, Steven D. Zansberg, attorney for the plaintiffs, confirmed the case had been settled.

Court documents ordered the case dismissed on March 13, 2025.

In exchange for the voluntary dismissal of the case, the county paid the five plaintiffs — Jill Duvall, Jim Duvall, Christopher Hatton, Nic Meyer, and former Elbert County Commissioner Robert Rowland — a total of $15,000 to cover their attorney’s fees and costs, Zansberg said in an email to The Denver Gazette.

According to court documents, the parties have “settled all disputes arising from or relating to the allegations, claims and defenses asserted in this case.

Duvall said it’s “unfortunate” that Elbert County taxpayers are not going to be able to recoup many of the funds associated with both the contracts and the legal proceedings that have ensued.

Editor’s note: Attorney Steven D. Zansberg represents The Denver Gazette and the Clarity Media family of newspapers.