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Wayne County staff introduce Philip D. Whitfield for division director of budgeting and planning
Summary
County officials introduced Philip D. Whitfield as the recommended division director of budgeting and planning; Whitfield told commissioners he has more than 25 years of budgeting experience and would earn an annual salary cited at $165,000. The transcript shows discussion but does not record a final confirmation vote in the provided excerpt.
Wayne County management presented Philip D. Whitfield as the recommended appointee for division director of budgeting and planning in the Department of Management and Budget. County staff said the position had been open since July 2023 and that Whitfield brings more than 25 years of experience in municipal and nonprofit finance.
A staff member identified the candidate and summarized Whitfield’s background, saying he has experience with GAAP, GASB and OMB regulations and has served as finance director for the City of Ferndale. The staff summary said Whitfield would help implement the county’s Oracle EPM module and update budget policies and procedures. The presentation stated Whitfield’s annual salary would be $165,000 and that he would assume executive-level benefits.
Philip D. Whitfield introduced himself to the committee and described his career path, saying he began in the City of Detroit, spent time in nonprofit finance and then returned to municipal government in Ferndale where he oversaw the budgeting process and served as treasurer. Whitfield told commissioners he focuses on process improvement and team development.
Commissioners asked procedural questions about whether Whitfield was an elected official (he is not) and whether he would remain in his Ferndale role (he would not). One commissioner asked for an organizational chart for the Department of Management and Budget so the commission could see reporting lines and confirm positions that require commission confirmation.
The appointment was introduced on the agenda as "requesting commission approval of the appointment of Philip D. Whitfield to the position of division director of budgeting and planning, management and budget department." The public transcript shows the presentation and questioning but does not include a completed vote or confirmation in the excerpt provided.
Clarifying details: the position has reportedly been open since July 2023; Whitfield’s proposed annual salary was listed as $165,000; staff said he has more than 25 years of relevant experience and that the County expected him to lead Oracle EPM rollout and policy updates.
