For Immediate Release: Contact Franklin County Auditor Matt Beaton Auditor@franklincountywa.gov, (509)545-3848
Pasco, WA
5/1/23
An audit of Franklin County Elected official payroll
resolutions and practices has revealed that several Franklin County
Commissioners have received unconstitutional payments that were approved after
the 2016 election. At that time Commissioner Brad Peck, now former Commissioner
Bob Koch, and former Commissioner Rick Miller approved increases that were not
legally reviewed. Commissioner Brad Peck
has been paid nearly $47,000. Former Commissioner Bob Koch nearly $20,000, and
former Commissioner Rick Miller a little more than $21,000.
Commissioner
Clint Didier and Commissioner Rocky Mullen, who were not in office in 2016 when
the benefit-to cash resolution was approved have always elected to take full
benefits. They would both owe the same
amount of $334.40 due to a partial excess benefit distribution. Didier and Mullen were not aware of the 2016
resolution that converted excess benefits payments to cash was in place when
they were voted into office. All Commissioners will have to repay any
unconstitutional compensation.
You can find
the full investigation report on the Auditor’s Blog, on the Franklin County Auditor’s website.
How the Investigation Began?
An interpretation from MRSC, helped prompt the investigation. At
issue is the Washington law that prohibits elected officials from giving
themselves a pay raise during the time they are in office. The Franklin County
Commissioners increased their compensation by converting health care benefits
to cash and continued to receive the increased compensation over the years. At
question are increases to their benefits/salary during their term, something
prohibited by the Washington State Constitution.
“Starting in
2016, Franklin County Commissioners passed a post-election resolution enabling
the conversion of excess health care benefits into cash, that subsequently went
to their salary. In this case, VEBA benefits were allowed to be taken in cash,
thus giving themselves a raise. My job as Auditor is to review policies and
practices, past and present to assure, the county is spending the public’s
money legally. In this case, the dates of their resolutions fall outside their
Constitutional authority to raise their own pay.” said Auditor Matt Beaton.
What’s Next?
The review was
introduced to Commissioners at the April 18 meeting during the Elected/Dept
Head section on the agenda. Auditor Beaton says that this is being treated as a
“loss” and not “fraud”. The results of the review have been forwarded to
Washington State Auditor’s Office as required by law.
At the April
25, 2023 meeting the topic of stopping the ongoing illegal payments, and recovering
monies was discussed. Chairman Didier
expressed a desire going forward to have, at a minimum, all payroll and legally
consequential resolutions reviewed by the Prosecuting Attorney; something
Prosecutor Sant mentioned he will need more staffing to accomplish.
