Weld County’s finance director is one of the highest-paid public officials in Colorado, with a salary of nearly $300,000 per year. But county commissioners say he is worth every dime.
Don Warden, Weld’s former director of finance and administration, took on that role again when he was named interim director in February.
He lives in Bodega Bay, Calif., and works for the county mostly from home. He flies to Greeley about one week each month.
Warden is now making more than he has ever been paid in his 36 years with the county, at $295,400 per year, in addition to the pension he earns since he retired in 2002.
Warden is also eligible for health insurance, life insurance, sick leave, vacations, holidays, and personal and bereavement days.
The compensation is justified, commissioners say, because of the institutional knowledge and skills Warden brings to Weld County.
Some local officials and ethics watchdogs question Warden’s salary, which is about double the rate nearby counties pay their finance directors.
“There really is no justification to pay someone so far above the public sector and market rate,” said Luis Toro, director of Colorado Ethics Watch, a statewide watchdog group. “I really question, why do they have to create a sweetheart deal for someone to live in California?”
Critics also say Warden should be required to live where he works.
But commissioners say the county’s financial successes over the years are largely due to Warden.
“I think we are getting a pretty good value, when you look at our budgets,” said Weld Commissioner Barbara Kirkmeyer.
