Clinton City Council Grapples with Finance Department Vacancy: Temporary Consultant Brought In to Ensure Smooth Operations

The Clinton City Council expressed concerns during a recent meeting about a finance department vacancy that is currently being filled by a consultant from another town. The council members believe that the city manager should be responsible for these duties instead. The vacancy was created when the city's chief financial officer, Kristin Stafford, left her position a few weeks ago, leaving city manager James Duncan to fill the void. The council was informed that Duncan is working with a consultant, Tara L. Nichols, the current finance officer for China Grove, to keep the finance department running smoothly.

Ensuring Fiscal Responsibility and Transparency in Clinton's City Government

Temporary Consultant Arrangement Raises Questions

The council members voiced their concerns about the temporary arrangement, with Councilwoman Wanda W. Corbett questioning whether there was an assistant available or a previous city finance officer who could fill the void until a new hire was made. City Manager Duncan's response was a simple "no." Councilman Daniel Ruggles echoed Corbett's concerns, but agreed that the position needed to be filled until a permanent replacement could be found.

City Manager Defends Temporary Consultant Approach

Duncan reassured the council that the situation was only temporary and that having Nichols as a consultant was a means to help in the interim. He explained that Nichols works around her normal China Grove schedule, consulting on items that need attending and signing off on certain payments after hours and on Fridays. Duncan stressed that the whole point of the consultant is to ensure everything runs smoothly as they search for a qualified individual to fill the position permanently.

Maintaining Financial Stability and Transparency

Mayor Lew Starling acknowledged the council's concerns, stating that the city is "simply trying to get the payables in line." Duncan further emphasized that the temporary arrangement is necessary to ensure the city's books are in order and that Clinton will have a clean audit. He reassured the council that business will continue as normal, with the consultant's role diminishing as they find a permanent finance director.

Proactive Efforts to Fill the Vacancy

Duncan informed the council that the city is actively working to fill the finance director position, stating that they are doing everything they can to get the job posting out to as many qualified candidates as possible. He emphasized that the city's financial affairs, including payroll and the administration of all other financial matters, will be covered during the transition period.

Balancing Temporary Solutions and Long-Term Stability

The council's concerns highlight the importance of maintaining financial stability and transparency within the city government. While the temporary consultant arrangement may be necessary to ensure the smooth operation of the finance department, the council's desire to have the city manager fulfill these responsibilities or find a more permanent solution reflects their commitment to responsible fiscal management. As the city navigates this transition, it will be crucial to balance the need for immediate solutions with the long-term goal of finding a qualified finance director who can provide the necessary expertise and oversight to safeguard Clinton's financial well-being.