Lakewood – City Manager Mike Rock will give up his city-provided vehicle in an agreement struck with the City Council on Wednesday night.
Rock, who has been under fire for his expenses, agreed to reimburse the city for some spending related to the personal use of a city-provided truck.
Specifically, Rock will pay the city $8,846 related to an accident that his wife had while driving the vehicle.
He already has reimbursed the city $458 for speakers that the city paid to have installed in the truck.
The City Council, in a second closed- door session within a week concerning Rock, reached the agreement about 10:30 p.m. Wednesday after 4 1/2 hours of discussion.
A resolution making the change in Rock’s employment contract will be considered by the council on Monday.
Mayor Steve Burkholder praised Rock’s leadership but added there have been “some negative, unanticipated consequences” of his actions.
Rock will be paid $750 a month as a vehicle allowance, which Burkholder said will provide “substantial savings” of about $10,000 a year to the taxpayers.
Burkholder said Rock will be responsible for purchasing a vehicle, as well as paying for fuel, insurance and all maintenance costs.
Burkholder said that an independent outside audit will review all city expenditures, including Rock’s.
“We want to make darn sure when we talk to our constituents that we have the facts,” Burkholder said.
Rock, 56, has been Lakewood’s city manager since 1992.
Burkholder said that he personally was going to review Rock’s expenses on a monthly basis. An audit committee will monitor the mayor’s review.
Speaking on behalf of the council, Burkholder said: “We’re moving forward here in how we can tighten this down. Mike has done some great things for this city. Has he made some mistakes here? Yes, he has.”
Rock declined to comment, saying through a spokeswoman: “Mike didn’t think he’d be doing that (commenting) this evening.”
Staff writer Ann Schrader can be reached at 303-278-3217 or aschrader@denverpost.com.
