Face The State Staff Report
The funding source for a new $80,000 "minority outreach coordinator" position filled last week is so far unknown, according to Gov. Bill Ritter’s staff.
RitterFTS File Photo
Last week, Ritter announced the hiring of Maranda Pleau for the position, tasked with ensuring that "small and minority-owned enterprises get a fair chance to bid for [Recovery Act] projects." According to Myung Oak Kim, Ritter’s communications manager, the funding source of Pleau’s $80,000 salary is “unclear” and “pending legislation in Congress and other issues.”
"The money will either come from the state or the Recovery Act,” Kim wrote in an e-mail to Face The State.
In January, Ritter found himself facing criticism for his management of the state workforce after The Denver Post revealed he approved 326 new hires and promotions after the freeze was implemented in September 2008. Monday, state economists announced Colorado government is short approximately $250 million for the fiscal year ending June 30.
Pleau starts her new job Monday and “will be helping state agencies set goals and procedures regarding minority contracting and outreach to minority communities,” according a release from Ritter’s office. Pleau will serve as one of five members of the Economic Recovery Team, which also includes Kim, Director Mark Cavanaugh, Deputy Director Kyle Miller, and Director of New Media Chris Smith.