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Lennox council approves new finance job title, hires interim assistant and outlines plan for $10.5M
Summary
The Lennox City Council approved a revised finance director job description, authorized advertising for the position, hired former finance officer Denise Hansen as an interim assistant at $40/hour, and discussed short-term placement options for a forthcoming $10.5 million payment from the Department of Corrections.
The Lennox City Council on the evening of the meeting approved a set of personnel and administrative measures aimed at stabilizing finance operations and managing a large incoming payment. Councilors voted to adopt a revised job description for the municipality’s finance leader, authorized staff to advertise and recruit for the role, and hired former finance officer Denise Hansen to assist on an interim basis at $40 per hour.
The action came after staff recommended changing the job title from the traditional municipal phrasing to "director of finance" to broaden recruitment. Speaker 2 said the revised title is intended to attract a larger candidate pool and to reflect statutory responsibilities such as elections and record keeping. "We're hoping that attracts or helps us in attracting a larger recruiting pool," Speaker 2 said.
Councilor Speaker 4 moved to approve the job description; the motion was seconded and carried by voice vote. The council then voted to advertise for interviews for the finance director position.
On staffing, Speaker 2 told the council that former finance officer Denise Hansen has agreed to help temporarily with training and key year-end tasks. The council voted to hire Hansen as an interim assistant finance officer at $40 per hour for approximately four hours every couple of weeks. "Denise has already been very helpful in offering this assistance," Speaker 2 said. The motion to hire Hansen was made and seconded during the meeting and was carried by voice vote.
Council also addressed how to hold and manage a $10,500,000 payment anticipated from an executed agreement with the Department of Corrections. Speaker 2 said the funds should be kept in a segregated interest-bearing account or placed in short-term certificates of deposit while banking RFPs are finalized. Councilors discussed 3-month versus 6-month CD terms and whether to hold back cash to cover quarterly surcharge payments due in January and April.
"We're looking to maximize the return but not lock up the money," Speaker 6 said during the discussion about balancing yield and liquidity. Speaker 2 said staff will return to the council with a clearer proposal at the Dec. 9 meeting after hearing from banks.
Votes at a glance
- Consent agenda (amended): approved by roll call; councilors Mauer, Swearer, Bowers, Vandrill, Doherty and Welch each voted "Aye." (SEG 123–142) - Finance director job description: motion approved by voice vote; one abstention was recorded during the voice vote. (SEG 193–204) - Advertise recruitment for finance director: motion approved by voice vote. (SEG 205–221) - Hire Denise Hansen as interim assistant finance officer at $40/hr: motion approved by voice vote. (SEG 222–263)
What’s next
Staff will solicit proposals from banks and return with a recommended approach for short-term placement of the $10.5 million at the council’s Dec. 9 meeting. The council moved into an executive session later in the evening to address a legal matter.
