Holyoke committee reviews proposed finance department reorganization, job descriptions and timeline

The Holyoke Ordinance Committee took up paired orders directing changes to establish a consolidated finance department and to have council review minimum qualifications for new finance job descriptions.

Mayor Joshua Garcia and Treasurer Rory Casey outlined a multi‑month effort to professionalize finance operations. Casey said the proposed structure — chief administrative financial officer (CAFO), comptroller, treasurer‑collector, director of internal audit and a director of technical assistance — aims to align city and school systems, reduce redundant contracted services and strengthen internal controls. "We still project a minimum of a $100,000 in cost savings," the treasurer said when summarizing expected future savings.

Consultant TJ Platt, introduced as a former Springfield CAFO, supported the concept and called it "the right move for Holyoke at this time," describing experience aligning systems and closing audit timetables. Auditor Sharon Buettner said the new director of internal audit would shift the office from corrective work to proactive audits, checking general ledger budget lines and proposing an annual audit plan.

Committee members pressed for clarity on legal and timing issues. Several councilors raised charter and posting concerns related to the voter‑approved change to an appointed treasurer; the mayor said he can make a 60‑day interim appointment to ensure coverage. Staff emphasized that ordinance language must be finalized before impact bargaining with unions or reassigning union positions; hiring and structural changes will be phased and constrained by the current fiscal year budget.

Members also questioned specific job descriptions and pay ranges, especially for proposed "financial analyst" roles that staff said would realign three existing positions (payroll specialist, assistant accountant, assistant treasurer) and require union negotiations. Committee members asked staff to refine bullet points for clarity, include accounting as a required discipline where appropriate, and to provide the current pay ranges and a practical transition timeline. The committee received the presentations and asked law and HR staff to draft ordinance language and a transition plan for future meetings.