Thompson = Good but not great

Hamilton County Administrator Patrick Thompson (pictured) got high marks in his job evaluation today – but he didn’t get all of the bonus money possible.

Republican Commissioners Pat DeWine and Phil Heimlich gave Thompson high marks for his first year in the $210,000-per-year job.

They also cast the two votes last fall that resulted in Thompson getting the job.
Thompson, 47, of White Oak, came to Hamilton County from Jefferson County, Colo., just outside Denver.

He was brought in to rein in government spending and address Hamilton County’s uneasy financial picture.

In addition to his base salary, Thompson’s two-year contract includes two incentive clauses that could have resulted in him earning an additional $14,000 this year.

He earned one incentive – and the $7,000 bonus that came with it – by submitting a proposed 2007 budget that wasn’t higher than the current budget.

Commissioners approved Monday a temporary budget that eventually will result in a $255 million 2007 budget -- $1.5 million less than the 2006 budget.

Thompson also could have received another $7,000 bonus by submitting plans to save at least $10 million in county spending through managed competition.

Thompson presented ideas that resulted in $5 million in savings, but has laid such a strong framework for the other savings, commissioners believed, that they gave half of that bonus.

In all, Thompson received $10,500 in bonuses.

Commissioner Todd Portune, who cast the lone vote opposing Thompson’s hiring last year, couldn’t be reached to comment on his review of Thompson.