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Ferndale hires Watson & Yates for interim finance leadership at up to $80,000
Summary
Council approved a contract with municipal finance firm Watson & Yates for interim finance department services through Dec. 31, 2025, at an amount not to exceed $80,000; staff disclosed prior professional relationships and said no RFP was issued due to time constraints.
The Ferndale City Council approved a contract with Watson & Yates to provide interim finance department services through Dec. 31, 2025, at a cost not to exceed $80,000. The firm is expected to provide on-site support (roughly 16 hours per week) while the city recruits a permanent finance director and deputy director.
City staff said the contract covers interim management, hands‑on work in the city’s financial systems (BS&A), assistance with audit preparation and support for recruitment and onboarding of permanent staff. The assistant city manager told council the cost is expected to be partially offset by personnel savings during the contract period.
Steve Watson, a partner at Watson & Yates, described the firm’s municipal finance background and said the firm’s benchmark for success is a “smooth and speedy transition to a new finance director.” Watson said he would be the primary on-site contact; his partners Jananie Yates and consultant Katrina Whelan would provide backup and additional capacity.
Council discussion included questions about firm size, local government experience, and how many hours would be spent on-site versus remote. Staff said they had contacted several firms but did not run a full competitive request-for-proposal because the city lacked time to conduct a longer procurement process; the assistant city manager also disclosed past professional relationships with Watson and Yates and said he would abstain from the vote unless there were a tie.
A motion to approve the contract passed with council votes recorded in favor. One council member noted discomfort approving a sizeable professional services expense without a formal RFP but supported authorization because of urgent staffing needs in the finance department.
The contract term ends Dec. 31, 2025; staff said Watson & Yates will help prepare for year‑end close and the audit and will assist recruiting and onboarding work for a permanent finance leader.
