Finance office outlines FY26 staffing, temporary closures, tax-bill timing and procurement changes

Miss Holden, Finance Director, updated the Budget and Finance Committee on FY26 office activity and near-term operational items.

She said several finance staff attended the Tennessee Government Finance Officers Association conference in Murfreesboro last week and that attendance delayed some regular reports because key staff were away. Holden told the committee the finance office will be closed Oct. 17 and Oct. 20 for carpet replacement and some furniture updates; staff plan in-service and team-building activities on those dates and will post notices to the building and on social media.

Holden announced the hiring of a new purchasing agent, Kyle, who “comes from the corporate world” and has already begun work to improve compliance with purchasing and contracts. She also said the office is actively recruiting a grant specialist and expects to start interviewing that candidate pool this week or next, with the goal of increasing grant revenue.

On tax billing, Holden said the official FY25 tax bills have not been issued; staff are working with their software provider, Tyler, to resolve issues before sending the bills. She said staff have accepted some early payments and processed tax-relief or tax-freeze appointments when citizens came in. Sales tax receipts are currently ahead of last year’s estimates, she said.

On expenditures, most funds and divisions are on pace. Holden said utility bills (water and sewer) are “on pace” but noted a lower collection rate this month consistent with a recent rate increase; staff are implementing measures to improve collections. She highlighted a monthly push from the budget manager and purchasing agent to keep individual line items aligned, reducing the need for end-of-year fund shuffles.

The report was informational; committee members asked clarifying questions about dashboard indicators and early-year red metrics.