El Paso County prepared to offer settlement to fired former chief administrator

El Paso County Commissioners have voted to offer a settlement to former Chief Administrator Steve Norwood to keep the issue out of court.

Norwood was the county’s first chief administrator for just under a year before County Judge Veronica Escobar says he was fired for cause in early October.

Escobar on Monday said the county is now offering about $14,000, or one month of Norwood’s former salary, in return for Norwood’s agreement to not sue the county and allow “to terminate the relationship completely.”

While Norwood hadn’t filed anything yet, his attorney had contacted the county, which led to the settlement agreement from the county.

“It’s far less costly to settle and offer two pay periods than it is to engage in a battle in court,” Escobar said “So it was a business decision.”

The county hasn’t been able to give many details on the reasons behind Norwood’s firing as it is for now an active, unsettled personnel issue until the offer is finalized.