Committee approves up to $60,000 for national search, 90 working-day overlap and salary guidance for finance director

The Sumner County Financial Management Committee voted to ask the Budget Commission to appropriate up to $60,000 to retain a search firm to recruit a new finance director and to budget for up to 90 working days of overlap with the outgoing director.

Committee members discussed recruiting costs with examples from firms the finance director contacted; typical fees were described as roughly 30% of annual salary. The committee asked staff to pursue a mix of national search firms and targeted posting channels such as the Government Finance Officers Association and professional CPA organizations. The committee discussed Strategic Government Resources (SGR) and Whit Kiefer as potential vendors.

The committee passed a motion directing budget staff to include: up to $60,000 for search-firm fees; a transition overlap for the outgoing director of up to 90 working days (about 4—/2 calendar months) to ensure knowledge transfer; and guidance for an initial salary range roughly $180,000to200,000 for the position, recognizing competition in the market could push compensation higher. The motion passed on a voice vote.

Why it matters: Committee members said the hire will affect county financial management for years and emphasized the need to attract candidates with Governmental Accounting Standards Board (GASB) experience. Committee members also discussed whether the hiring authority rests with the mayor (under the 2012 act) or with the committee (under the 1981 act), a legal question the committee asked the law director to address in writing.

Implementation details discussed in the meeting include seeking budget approval for search fees, posting the job through professional channels, and using recruiting firms to screen candidates. The committee also discussed an overlap period to allow the outgoing finance director to transition responsibilities.