Golden – Jefferson County officials said they are stunned by the size of bonuses handed out by outgoing treasurer Mark Paschall, but added they are hesitant to prohibit county-worker bonuses.
Paschall, whose four-year term ended Dec. 31, approved more than $94,000 in bonuses to staffers between 2003 and 2006 – with more than half of that amount offered in 2006.
While bonuses are good management tools, Commissioner Kevin McCasky said, Paschall’s handouts were “just excessive.”
The largest bonus – $25,092 before taxes – is being investigated by the Jefferson County District Attorney’s Office.
Kathy Redmond, a top aide hired by Paschall, contends Paschall asked her to give him up to half of her 2006 bonus, said Commissioner Jim Congrove.
Redmond and Paschall did not return calls seeking comment. Redmond, who received more than $8,500 in bonuses between 2003 and 2005, has refused the 2006 bonus.
Congrove, who notified the DA’s office on Dec. 28, said a “distraught” Redmond told him about Paschall’s alleged request.
“If you don’t care where the money comes from, you do stuff like that,” said Congrove, who was hired by Paschall to work in the treasurer’s office before being elected commissioner in 2004.
Paschall’s successor, Faye Griffin, said she gave bonuses of $50 to $100, but never more than $300, as county clerk.
The county board appropriates funds to departments, McCasky said, with budgets overseen by independently elected officials.
Still, McCasky said of Paschall’s largess: “This is unique. … There is a general practice of giving bonuses, but they are not utilized very much.”
Kathy Hartman, who will be sworn in Tuesday as the county’s first Democratic commissioner elected since 1997, said she was hesitant to impose a countywide bonus policy.
“That said, given the budget problems we face, this is a bit of a surprise,” Hartman said.
Staff writer Ann Schrader can be reached at 303-278-3217 or aschrader@denverpost.com.
