Golden – Jefferson County Administrator Patrick Thompson has accepted an offer for the same job in Hamilton County, Ohio.
Thompson said Wednesday he will begin his duties Jan. 1, with Dec. 31 being his last official day at Jefferson County.
“I’ve enjoyed the opportunities I’ve had to make positive changes at Jeffco,” Thompson said in a statement. “I wasn’t looking for a new job, but Hamilton County offered me a chance to be back near my family – and I couldn’t say no.”
The Jefferson County Board of Commissioners announced Wednesday it will not do a nationwide search and narrowed the field to two candidates: County Attorney Frank Hutfless and Support Services director Jim Moore. A decision will be made by year-end.
Board chairman Jim Congrove said in a statement that Thompson has “successfully guided the county as a new board came in and made proactive changes to ensure that Jefferson County remains responsible to its citizens.”
Thompson, who came to Jefferson County three years ago from La Crosse County in Wisconsin, has streamlined operations and helped cut the 2006 budget by 14 percent.
He also has weathered a series of county controversies, including this year’s audit going more than $400,000 over budget, an internal audit that revealed more than $1 million in computer equipment that can’t be located and a commissioner’s resignation under threat of recall.
At Hamilton County, Thompson will step into a 10-month vacancy and will work with a three-member board that was divided on whether to hire him.
Thompson’s annual salary will be $210,000, compared with $145,000 from Jefferson County. He also will receive another $14,000 in performance incentives.
Staff writer Ann Schrader can be reached at 303-278-3217 or aschrader@denverpost.com.
