Franklin County Auditor Review, Uncovers Unconstitutional Pay Increase for Commissioners. Longest Serving Commissioner Brad Peck received nearly $47K in questionable compensation

 

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.  

 

PDF version of the news release