The Finance Committee Meeting held on February 21, 2025, in Ellsworth, Maine, focused on several key updates regarding the city's budget process and financial management. The meeting highlighted the upcoming visit from auditors scheduled for March 12-14, which aims to finalize the city's financial statements. Committee members expressed optimism about the budget process, noting that department heads are actively engaged in preparing their budgets using a new system that has reportedly streamlined the process.

During the meeting, a member of the public, John Linehan, raised concerns regarding the hiring of a deputy city manager, emphasizing the financial implications of such a position. He argued that the city should prioritize hiring an in-house Certified Public Accountant (CPA) instead, citing repeated issues in the city's financial audits, including material weaknesses and significant deficiencies in cash account reconciliations and financial statement preparations. Linehan expressed disappointment that public comments were not solicited during the previous council meeting when the deputy city manager position was discussed, suggesting that such decisions should involve community input.

The committee acknowledged the challenges faced in the past year, particularly regarding financial management, and emphasized the importance of transparency and accountability in the budgeting process. As the city moves forward with its budget workshops, scheduled dates will be posted publicly to encourage community participation.

Overall, the meeting underscored the ongoing efforts to improve financial oversight in Ellsworth while addressing public concerns about fiscal responsibility and the need for qualified financial management personnel. The committee's next steps will involve further discussions on the budget and potential staffing changes to enhance the city's financial operations.