Council committees extend Robert Half contract to cover senior accounting work as hiring lags

The Finance and Purchasing Committee approved a resolution to extend a professional services agreement with staffing firm Robert Half to provide temporary senior accounting services, not to exceed $87,000, to cover work through Jan. 31, 2026.

Committee members said the extension is intended to keep core accounting and audit work moving after the department’s senior accountant resigned in February and recruitment has so far been unsuccessful.

“The current rate for this consultant is $90.05 per hour,” a finance department presenter told the committee and said the consultant is performing reconciliations and assisting with the fiscal year 2025 audit. Alderman Guzman asked why the contract rate was that high; finance staff responded that the $90.05 hourly rate is the staffing agency bill rate and that the agency keeps a portion of the contract pay for fees and benefits.

Committee members pressed for more detail on recruitment: the finance director said the position has been posted and staff would continue to recruit, but that while the city searches “we can’t wait” because reconciliations and audit deadlines require continuing temporary support. Alderman Florian noted the department must reconcile roughly 40 separate accounts each month and that the audit cycle remains a year behind.

The committee voted to approve the extension after staff emphasized the consultant’s role in catching up reconciliations and completing audit work. The action was later included on the council consent agenda and carried when the council ratified committee items.

The committee asked staff to report back on posting status and any changes to the contract if hiring progresses; staff agreed to follow up.