Curry County treasurer granted interim finance authority, 25% pay increase approved

Curry County Treasurer Nick Fasino was granted interim authority over the county’s finance operations and a 25% pay increase after the Curry County Board of Commissioners approved an order in a special meeting in February 2025.

The order, passed unanimously, assigns the treasurer interim responsibility to provide general oversight and supervision of finance staff, ensure accounts payable and receivable are processed and entered into the county accounting system (referred to in the record as “Cassell”), review account usage for compliance with county policy and government accounting standards, prepare financial statements for the county budget as requested, and authorize claims for payment with required supporting documentation. The order also authorizes County Clerk Shelley Denney to serve as a secondary signature for disbursements if the treasurer is unavailable.

The action came after the county received notice of the resignation of the finance and human resources director, effective March 3, 2025. The board’s order described the change as an interim arrangement “until such time as the county has employed the services of an individual or entity to serve as finance director or otherwise ordered by the Board of Commissioners.”

Board Chair (unnamed) read the order aloud during the meeting and moved its approval. Commissioner Hollinger seconded the motion. Commissioner Alcorn, Commissioner Hollinger and the chair voted yes.

Treasurer Nick Fasino asked the board to schedule a workshop early the following week to discuss a longer-term approach for the finance function, saying, “The only thing, I ask is we schedule maybe a workshop early next week to see how we're gonna move forward.” The board discussed timing and suggested aiming for a session later in the week; the meeting record notes the treasurer indicated he could likely participate after returning to town.

Board members acknowledged the departure of the finance director. The chair described the loss as significant praise for the director’s work: “she performed incredible miracles on our budget, unwinding things that were so wound up,” and expressed gratitude for her efforts. No name for the departing finance and human resources director was given in the meeting record.

The order is dated February 2025 in the meeting record. The vote formally approved the interim assignment, the 25% salary increase for the treasurer, and the clerk’s secondary signature authority; the order remains in effect until the board takes further action.

The board adjourned the special meeting after approving the order and expressed intent to hold a workshop to determine a permanent path forward for county finance operations.