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Treasurer flags staffing gaps, succession risk and potential procurement modernization
Summary
The county treasurer told commissioners the office needs mid‑level managerial hires to avoid single‑point failures, suggested adding specialists to reduce operational risk and proposed considering a more independent procurement function to realize long‑term savings.
Arapahoe County Treasurer Tim Westerberg briefed commissioners May 20 on staffing vulnerabilities in his office and outlined options to reduce operational risk, cut processing costs and modernize procurement.
Westerberg said the treasurer's office meets statutory deadlines under current staffing but lacks managerial depth. His organizational chart shows a thin middle layer; he warned that without promotion paths and backfill the office is vulnerable to losing key staff. "The having no middle is actually an incredibly large problem because I have no one to replace Kim," he said, referring to the chief deputy.
The treasurer requested two manager/specialist positions to create redundancy and a compliance/workflow team; he estimated ongoing fully loaded costs at roughly $200,000 for the proposed hires. Westerberg also outlined non‑headcount “should” reforms that could be largely funded from bank account service credits (so‑called PEG balances): expand digital payments, reduce mailed statements and lower the volume of paper checks processed (the office processed about 77,366 checks last year, with estimated processing costs between $37,000 and $240,000 depending on per‑item time assumptions).
For longer‑term transformation, Westerberg proposed exploring an independent procurement organization to gain efficiency and buy‑side expertise. He estimated a full procurement function might require 10–15 FTEs at specialist pay levels and argued an independent procurement office could yield significant savings through centralized contracting and professional bid processes.
Westerberg also flagged legislation he would like the county to pursue to close an apparent loophole in the public trustee redemption process that allows some bidders to acquire junior liens and subvert auction outcomes; he said closing the loophole would protect homeowners and preserve auction integrity.
Ending: Commissioners asked staff to summarize the proposal, including budget impact, potential hiring plan and procurement modernization tradeoffs; Westerberg agreed to provide a written memo and an organizational chart showing recommended roles and costs.
