After debate, council approves $30,000 interim CFO consultant transfer to support finance office

The council considered a finance subcommittee recommendation to transfer funds from the salary reserve to pay a professional/technical consultant to support the city’s CFO functions while the permanent Director of Finance/CFO hiring process proceeds.

Finance subcommittee sponsor Councilor Daviani described the proposal and its transparency provisions, including posting expenditures and providing an electronic budget book. Councilors questioned the consultant selection process and the vendor’s experience with municipal accounting software; Councilor Ward said the firm’s public profile and sample work raised concerns, and Councilor Cannon said he worried the firm’s prior work had been for much smaller towns.

Several councilors said the city needs immediate help because there is no permanent CFO. After debate about process and duration, Councilor Ken proposed reducing the authorization to a two-month contract to allow time-limited support and further vetting. That amendment was accepted as a friendly amendment. By roll call the council approved the amended transfer 10 in favor, 1 opposed; the motion carried for $30,000.

Why it matters: The city is operating without a permanent CFO and councilors cited an urgent need for reliable financial reports to inform budget decisions. The limited authorization attempts to balance the need for immediate support with concerns about process and vendor fit.

Next steps: Administration to engage the consultant under the amended terms, post the expenditures online per the subcommittee provisions, and continue the permanent hiring process.