Arapahoe County – Treasurer-elect Doug Milliken, under criticism for mishandling his personal finances, plans to hire a consultant to help him through his first weeks in office, and has been bumped as chairman of the board that oversees the county’s pension plan.
Milliken will have a vote on the five-member retirement board, but he will not lead the group.
He has also decided, Arapahoe County Commissioner Frank Weddig said, to make an offer to former Adams County Treasurer John Lefebvre to help Milliken identify issues once he takes office. Reached Tuesday, Lefebvre, who was voted out of office in November, said he has not had any specific offers from Arapahoe County.
Milliken, a Democrat who takes office in January, did not return calls for comment.
Both moves come as the county this month increased its insurance coverage on Milliken from $10,000 to $500,000.
While none of those issues should be looked at as a vote of no confidence, Weddig said, the county is being careful as it transitions to a new treasurer who has some baggage.
“Even if he messed up in his personal life, which he did, I expect him to be a pretty dang good treasurer, which he will be,” Weddig said.
Some have questioned whether Milliken can handle the county’s $2 billion budget after revelations that he had problems with his own finances.
He filed for bankruptcy in 1993 after racking up more than $90,000 in credit card debt, and his home fell into foreclosure shortly before he was elected in November.
Public Trustee Mary Wenke said Tuesday she was notified last week that a lending company has withdrawn the foreclosure on Milliken’s $246,797 home. That means Milliken paid what he owed on the home and any late penalties, she said.
During his campaign, Milliken took credit for a $5.1 million surplus in Centennial, where he is still treasurer, although some, including the mayor, said he had nothing to do with the surplus. He came under criticism in Centennial for some of his management decisions, and the council limited his duties.
Arapahoe County Treasurer Bernie Ciazza, who is leaving office after 12 years, said it was unusual that Milliken would seek a consultant. Ciazza also said it was his idea that leadership of the retirement board not automatically go to the treasurer, as had been done in the past. The board agreed.
“I suggested that because this guy doesn’t know anything about investing and pension funds,” Ciazza said. “I didn’t need a consultant. Given the fact he didn’t do anything for the city of Centennial, it’s obvious he is in over his head.”
But Weddig said it makes sense to bring in help and to appoint someone else to the lead retirement board.
“It’s kind of silly,” Wedding said, “to bring in a new guy who doesn’t know procedures and make him chairman.”
Staff writer Carlos Illescas can be reached at 303-954-1175 or cillescas@denverpost.com.
