Interim city manager Lincoln Saunders introduced; council ratifies separation agreement, schedules audit review

Lincoln Saunders was introduced to the public as Franklin's interim city manager at the Sept. 22 regular meeting. Saunders told council he had been "incredibly impressed with the talent of the directors and staff" and said he would "do everything I can to set you all up and set your next manager up for success when they walk in the door."

Council also ratified a separation agreement with the former city manager; the motion to ratify was moved, seconded and approved with one recorded abstention. The firm Sans Anderson presented the separation agreement and asked council to authorize the interim city manager to execute it on the city's behalf.

Saunders introduced newly arrived department leaders: Jeff Deline as finance director and Joseph Carter as community development director. Deline said he was reconciling trial balances with auditors and hoped to have the FY2024 annual comprehensive financial report on the Oct. 6 council agenda: "I'd like to still get this on the agenda for October 6th for her to present that," he said.

The council named Saunders as the city's ex-officio designee to attend an immediate SIPA board meeting this week, ensuring the city will be represented at that vote.

On the audit, Deline said he will compare software trial balances with the auditor's work papers and coordinate with the external auditor to resolve differences before presenting the financial statements to council.