Pottawattamie supervisors approve creation of board-level budget and finance director position

The Pottawattamie County Board of Supervisors voted March 17 to approve creating a budget and finance director position that will report to the board, a move discussed as a replacement for the outgoing county CFO, Mitch.

Board members debated two options: replace the outgoing CFO with a board‑level finance director or move the function into the auditor's office to provide "bench strength." Supervisors described the finance role as combining budget oversight with project-level financial management (examples cited included FEMA work and large facility projects) and discussed the importance of having someone available to answer board questions and help prepare budgets.

Supervisors discussed a prospective salary range "somewhere in the $80,000 to $95,000 range" for the new position in order to retain skills while freeing budget to add staff to the auditor's office. After discussion, the board passed a motion to approve creation of the budget and finance director position; the motion was recorded as being moved by Wakeman and seconded by Jones and the measure carried by voice vote.

Outgoing CFO Mitch thanked the board for the opportunity to serve. The board directed staff to provide a revised job description for board consideration at the next meeting and discussed forming a hiring committee that would include department representatives and board members. Several supervisors said they want access to all applications during the process.

The board emphasized that no hire would be made immediately; the action authorizes the position and next steps for recruitment and job posting.