Council names internal candidate as finance director and reviews monthly financial reports

Mount Pleasant officials announced the appointment of an internal candidate, Jeline Caywood, as finance director. Staff said the position had been posted for about eight weeks, multiple external applicants did not meet minimum qualifications, and the city used internal contract support while mentoring the chosen candidate. "Today I wanna formally announced our finance Director which is Jeline Gaywood [Caywood]," the presenter said; the transcript contains both spellings and the city should confirm the official personnel record for clerical accuracy.

Council then reviewed monthly financial reports. Staff reported that property-tax receipts arrived earlier than usual in October, increasing general-fund receipts ahead of the normal December/January timing; a one-time workers-compensation payment and annual software expenses also affected departmental figures. The utility and debt-service funds showed similar timing differences tied to earlier property-tax receipts.

Staff also briefed council on the city’s current banking and investment accounts (operating accounts, investment accounts, TexPool/TexStar-style instruments and other accounts). Staff said they will bring a formal written policy to council to document account holdings, reserve management and investments on an annual basis.

Why it matters: The finance director appointment affects daily financial management and institutional knowledge. Timing of receipts and one-time payments affect near-term budgeting and cash flow decisions; a formal banking policy would set regular oversight for reserves and investments.

Next steps: Staff will confirm the official spelling of the finance director’s name in personnel records, provide any requested details about early receipts and one-time payments, and draft a written banking/investment-account policy for future council adoption.