Interim manager Christy outlines fiscal fixes, dashboards and partnerships for Pinetop Lakeside

Christy, who identified herself as town clerk and the interim town manager, told council she focused first on stabilizing operations, finances and trust during a period of leadership turnover. "This moment is not just about recovery. It is a reset opportunity," she said, describing actions taken while serving in the interim role.

Christy said the town engaged the James Vincent Group for budget stabilization, introduced monthly financial-exception reporting and reduced employee purchasing-card usage to curb uncontrolled spending. She described implementing standardized project files (scope, approved budget, funding source and approvals), monthly project-status reporting and change-order approval safeguards to reduce compliance and financial risk.

On staff and organizational climate, Christy said she retained an independent human-resources consultant to conduct confidential interviews and a written organizational-climate assessment; she said she shared findings with staff and council and held an all-staff "State of the Town" meeting followed by Q&A to improve transparency.

For public transparency, Christy proposed a public "projects and dollars" dashboard showing approved budgets, expenditures to date, percent complete and milestones; she also said she will use the town communications director to distribute timely information via website, social media, newsletters and press releases. She described partnership work including a drafted memorandum of understanding with the Blue Ridge School District to support a teacher-affordable-housing project (including in-kind town services and an access road) and said an intergovernmental agreement with Timber Mesa Fire and Medical District is in development and will be brought to the council in the future.

Christy set measurable targets for success including delivering 90% of projects on time and within the approved budget, improving staff-morale trends and increasing engagement and local sales-tax revenue. She closed by reaffirming a leadership approach grounded in integrity, transparency and continuity. Council thanked Christy and adjourned the presentation portion; no formal votes or appointments were taken in this session.