Muscatine honors finance director Nancy Leake; Richard Hammond sworn in

City staff presented a resolution of appreciation on Oct. 21 recognizing Nancy Leake for 48 years of service to Muscatine, and staff and council publicly thanked Leake at her final council meeting.

The staff reading summarized Leake’s career, noting she began with the city on Sept. 1, 1977, was named finance director on July 11, 2005, and that her work helped the city achieve long runs of budget and financial reporting awards. The reading included staff comments about Leake’s institutional knowledge and examples of contributions; staff also noted personal touches such as Leake’s reputation for making scotcheroos for events.

Richard Hammond was sworn in as finance director during the meeting. The mayor administered an oath in a short swearing-in ceremony; the oath language was recorded in the transcript. Council members and staff offered personal thanks and best wishes to Leake following the presentation.

The presentation of the resolution came from staff rather than from a recorded council motion in the transcript; no formal council roll-call vote adopting the appreciation resolution was recorded in the available transcript. The swearing-in of Hammond was ceremonial and recorded on the meeting audio; it was followed by congratulations from council members.

Staff announced that Hammond and administration will continue budget work, and the city administrator said the city will carry forward the budget calendar process with staff in place. A retirement party and additional acknowledgments were referenced for later dates.

The presentation and ceremony do not, in the transcript, commit the city to any new policies or fiscal changes; staff described Leake’s responsibilities, legacy, and the transition.