Face The State Staff Report
Denver Mayor John Hickenlooper is requesting a pay hike for a top aide who has been on the job less than two months.
HickenlooperFTS File Photo
If Hickenlooper has his way, Kevin Patterson, manager of the city's parks and recreation department, could see a 12.9 percent salary increase. If the city council approves the mayor's proposal - part of a larger request for pay raises for eight of his top aides - Patterson could see his salary bumped up to $130,546 a year. Patterson has been on the job since September 15, and was hired to replace former department manager Kim Bailey, who found herself in hot water when she was caught taking 10.5 weeks of vacation, sick, and administrative leave over a one year period between March 2006 to March 2007 to complete a master's degree. Even after the controversy, Bailey, who earned $110,423 a year, was paid for the 110.5 hours she spent earning her degree. When she left the city in April 2008 for a private sector job, Bailey was praised by Hickenlooper and city council members for her hard work.
According to Bureau of Labor and Statistics, private sector managerial occupations earning over $100,000 per year had a maximum wage growth of 2.2 percent in 2007. According to government projections, that number is expected to fall as the economy worsens.
But Councilwoman Jeanne Faatz, who has frequently opposed tax increases in the past, defends Patterson's raise. "He's been with the city forever," she said. "This is the last group to get raises, and they are justified by evaluations."
Patterson has been a city employee since 1993. He served as the manager of General Services before being appointed the new manager of the Parks and Recreation Department on August 21.
Faatz said Patterson was slated for a 6.9 percent performance-based raise while he was still in his old job as manager of General Services. The remainder is considered a promotional raise associated with the new position. Additionally, Faatz said because of the previous Parks and Rec manager's performance, the salary for that position was artificially held down.
"Parks and Rec is a far bigger department than [General Services], with lots more controversy," Faatz said.
Since Hickenlooper took office in 2002, he persuaded Denver voters to pass 14 separate tax increases totaling over $800 million. In 2004, taxpayers said yes to extending a sales tax for the Scientific and Cultural Facilities District. Sales tax receipts also grew 5.8 percent in 2005 and in 2006 to the tune of nearly $25 million. Taxpayers also approved ballot questions A though I, in 2006, which gave the city a half-billion dollar revenue boost.
Hickenlooper's proposed salary increases come at a time of great economic uncertainty, and city insiders say despite all his tax increases he will likely have to make cuts in the coming year.
The Rocky Mountain News reported Hickenlooper’s justification for the raise was because his aides are among the lowest paid compared to similar positions in other cities. Hickenlooper's office did not return a request for an interview and Patterson was unable to be reached before press time.