Askew asks county for retirement boost

Adrienne Packer

Tuesday, June 12, 2001 | 10:37 a.m.

Outgoing Clark County Manager Dale Askew hopes the county will pay nearly $180,000 to purchase an additional three years toward his retirement package, a move that would earn him a more lucrative pension.

If Askew can receive credit for 21 years of service rather than the 18 he has served at the county, his retirement earnings would amount to $78,000 a year. If his request is denied, he will make about $65,000 annually.

County employees who take advantage of the voluntary separation program can purchase up to three additional years of service at a cost of $60,000 per year, according to County Finance Director George Stevens.

Stevens said it is common for the county to purchase the extra years for employees. When the separation program was initiated two years ago, money to buy additional service time was put aside in the county's employee benefit fund.

The voluntary separation program, which started two years ago, terminates at the end of June. Clark County commissioners are expected to consider Askew's request -- which also includes six months of severance pay -- on June 19.

Askew's contract was extended an additional two years in April, when board members angling to terminate his agreement failed to get the required four votes from fellow commissioners.

Commissioners Dario Herrera and Erin Kenny spearheaded the effort to force Askew to resign two years ago when they publicly criticized his management style and his effectiveness as a county leader.

Askew's supporters on the seven-member board fought to keep the 56-year-old county manager through the legislative session, which ended a week ago.

The day after the Legislature adjourned, commissioners Mary Kincaid-Chauncey and Herrera visited Askew's office, and the county manager announced after the meeting that he would resign effective July 27.

Rather than asking to be paid for the remainder of his contract, Askew, who makes $156,000 a year, will ask the county to purchase additional years of service. Employees who have worked at the county at least 15 years are eligible to purchase additional years under the retirement system.

"In lieu of asking for three years worth of salary, he'll ask for the three-year purchase," Clark County spokesman Doug Bradford said.

Stevens said about 200 county employees took advantage of the voluntary separation program during the last two years.