Who paid for former City Attorney David Smith’s nearly $17,000 retirement party? You might have.

The city of Durango spent $16,571 on Smith’s retirement party in April at the DoubleTree Hotel. The money came from the city’s general fund, which is fueled mostly by sales and use tax revenue.

City residents and people visiting Durango had varying opinions about the expense. Some said they were shocked by the cost while others were more accepting.

Members of the Durango City Council said the expense was appropriate to celebrate Smith’s 37 years of public service and contributions.

Durango resident Aaron McKelvey thinks city funds should go toward parks and improving Durango Community Recreation Center. He said he’s only spent close to that much money on his house and his car.

“It sounds pretty ridiculous to me,” McKelvey said. “I’m sure their employees wouldn’t mind a raise with that.”

New Durango resident Petra Sullwold, who doesn’t know Smith, said she would have pitched in $200 to his party.

“If someone’s a really amazing person, I would be willing to make a payment toward celebrating them,” she said.

About 350 invited guests attended. City Manager Ron LeBlanc said Smith was an irreplaceable resource and the city spent about $1 per resident of Durango.

“And that is a small price to pay to recognise someone who did such a great job for 37 years,” LeBlanc said. “And I hope you can get that quote right.”

The city also spent more than $800 on a newspaper ad in The Durango Herald congratulating Smith.

Durango City Councilor Dean Brookie said the cost of Smith’s party is a nonissue.

“It’s $500 a year, if you think about it that way, to celebrate his long-standing public service,” Brookie said. “His actions, his knowledge, has saved the city of Durango multiple, multiple times more money than what was spent on celebrating his career.”

Tourists and residents from nearby areas who have bought products in the city ultimately helped fund the party.

Silverton resident Jim Lokey was in Durango recently paying sales tax to the city on 20 tires he was buying on Main Avenue. He said he felt the amount of money spent on the party was excessive given the struggling economy.

“Can I get a refund?” Lokey said. “The general fund is for taking care of town needs, not town parties.”

So what does a $17,000 going-away party entail?

Food was provided by the hotel’s catering service at a cost of $30 per guest. Attendees had a variety of options ranging from hand-carved turkey breast to mini vegetarian Wellington and stuffed mushrooms. City employees provided the desserts.

The celebration included two cash bars, according to the banquet order. The order said that if the bars served less than an average of $100 per hour, a $50 setup fee would be charged. Beverages were subject to a 7.9 percent sales tax.

Resident Karl Jacobson said he didn’t know he helped pay for a party he wasn’t invited to. He said he felt exploited.

“I wish they would get their act together, our city,” Jacobson said.

Durango Mayor Sweetie Marbury said City Council was aware of the cost of the party. She said Smith really helped shape the city and was an invaluable resource to staff and residents.

“I have really appreciated knowing him,” she said. “When you have that continuity in a municipal government, it keeps the ship going steadily down the right course.”

Smith was being paid $70,406 per year at the time of his departure. He declined to comment for this story.

Smith also was presented a bronze plaque at a City Council meeting, and the chamber in City Hall where councilors meet was renamed the Smith Chambers.

Brookie said he believes the city spent about the same amount or more on former City Manager Bob Ledger’s retirement party in 2007. It also was at the DoubleTree, city officials said.

Sherri Dugdale, assistant to the city manager, said the city doesn’t have any details about that party because records are destroyed or deleted after six years, plus the current year. Ledger was Durango city manager for 25 years.

“I would say my party and David Smith’s party were out of the ordinary,” Ledger said. “After making these contributions for an extended period of time, it was probably appropriate to make sure both of us went out in style.”

Peg Perl, staff counsel for Colorado Ethics Watch, said employee recognition was not necessarily improper, but she added that there’s a gray area where it might not always be wise or smart. That decision is made by residents.

“It’s really for the local citizens to speak up pro or con on that,” Perl said.

smueller@durangoherald.com