When you are crying poverty, it's not a good idea to flash the cash. People might get the wrong idea. In Hartford's case, those people might be in the General Assembly.

Legislators and others took note this week when some city council members questioned the city's practice of giving cash bonuses to some employees. The city is facing a $9.4 million deficit this year and a projected $70 million deficit in 2013-14.

The program in question is known as "exceptional service increments," in which bonuses are awarded to employees who have taken on responsibilities beyond the scope of their city duties or have done work that has saved the city money, said councilman Kenneth Kennedy.

Sign Up For Traffic Text Alerts

He and other members have questioned whether the bonuses have become a way of giving certain employees back-door pay raises.

The bonuses are awarded by the mayor. Mr. Kennedy has proposed measures that would give the council a greater role in the process, including one that would give the council control of the program, a measure Mr. Segarra is likely to veto.

Cash bonuses are a good thing — when they're awarded fairly and the giver isn't broke. Who doesn't like to be rewarded for good work and savings, especially if the reward can be deposited in the bank? What's needed here is transparency.

We're not talking about a lot of money; city spokeswoman Maribel La Luz said Mr. Segarra reduced the amount given to employees by more than two-thirds since 2009, a year in which the city handed out $84,000 in bonuses. She said he is considering eliminating them next year because of the bleak fiscal outlook.

That would be wise. It looks bad when you are seeking state aid, and Hartford needs to save wherever it can. We would have no objection to bringing them back in a better economy, but with a requirement that the mayor explain to the council and the public who is getting them and why they are being rewarded.