Jefferson County Commissioner Kevin McCasky proposed an increase of $20,000 in the county’s contribution to the Jefferson Economic Council last year while he was a candidate for the private economic development organization’s top job, the Columbine Courier has learned.
McCasky’s application for the high-paying JEC position was under consideration in November when the county’s 2011 budget was revised to increase JEC funding from $380,000 to $400,000 — as McCasky urged his fellow commissioners to boost the county’s contribution while the county itself was facing significant budget cuts.
McCasky, who was named in January to succeed Preston Gibson after Gibson resigned as JEC president last year, said he sees no conflict of interest in his actions.
“It is clearly a conflict of interest when a person in government rolls a vote on a budget for an organization for (which) he is seeking employment,” said Colorado Common Cause executive director Jenny Flanagan.
Emile Hallez Williams, Columbine Courier
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