Hiring needs and state perks

By The Gazette Editorial Board

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Sunday's investigative report on the use of state dollars to pay relocation expenses for top employees should prompt a careful review of policies and practices, with taxpayers' best interests driving the discussion.

It's likely the average taxpayer was unaware that state policy allows up to $50,000 reimbursement in relocation expenses for state hires. In the case of Department of Revenue Director Courtney Kay-Decker, the state spent more than $8,000, including closing costs on a condo in Des Moines where she works roughly 12 days each month.

Clearly, it's in the state's best interest to snare top talent for management positions and other critical posts. And that often means recruiting candidates from the private sector, where pay and benefits are often higher Unless we want a bureaucracy run exclusively by Des Moines-area residents, it makes sense to provide reasonable assistance to Iowans who must relocate to the capital city.

Still, the current policy seems to yield inconsistencies between departments and agencies. And the $50,000 cap strikes us, and probably a fair number of taxpayers, as too high. A recommendation to limit relocation expenses to a percentage of an employee's salary makes more sense. And it would be more consistent with Gov. Terry Branstad's call for sacrifices from other state workers.

The state should also make sure that it discloses any and all perks and contract benefits in a way that makes them easily accessible and reviewable. Greater transparency helps prevent future governors from making any deals they don't want to see aired publicly.

We want talented people running our government. We understand and appreciate the sacrifices often made for public service. But Iowans expect their taxes to be spent wisely and for the common good.

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