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Lebanon council punts city-accountant job posting to committee amid budget concerns
Summary
Council debated whether to post a job for a city accountant or create a director-level finance position; members raised cost concerns, noted a $314,002.32 general-fund reduction and voted to send the city-accountant posting back to committee for further work.
Lebanon City Council on May 11 voted to refer a proposed city-accountant job posting back to committee after a lengthy discussion about staffing, responsibilities and budget constraints.
Council members questioned whether creating a director of finance position would duplicate duties or prove unaffordable amid recent budget reductions. One member said the general fund had been reduced by $314,002.32 to meet targets and warned that hiring a higher-paid director could reverse savings. "We reduced it by $314,002.32," the council member said; another council member added concerns that higher salaries would increase long-term obligations.
Supporters of a higher-level finance position argued a stronger finance leader could bring efficiencies and additional revenue to the city. "If we can bring more money into the city by having an accountant be more than an accountant, that'd be worth spending the extra money," a council member said. Others countered that the council lacked time to review a job description that was posted only the same day and asked for more committee review.
After discussion, the council moved and seconded a referral to committee to determine whether to proceed with the city-accountant posting or pursue an alternative structure; the referral passed by roll call.
Council members noted next steps: committee review of job descriptions, consideration of whether duties should be assigned temporarily, and return to the council with recommended language, salary range and a staffing plan to avoid duplicative roles.
