Elgin council extends consultant contract to support audits and budget work

The Elgin City Council on June 2 approved Work Authorization No. 4 for Gradient Leadership Solutions, extending the city's consulting arrangement to support audits, interim financial tasks and the upcoming budget season.

Pam (the city's HR director) and Lori Lenford of Radiant Solutions at Leadership Solutions told the council the contractor has helped the city complete audits and bank reconciliations, create work papers and standard operating procedures, and lead a risk assessment to close internal control gaps. "We have done a really good job of getting things caught up," Lenford said, describing work on two full audits and an interim audit.

Council members asked for specifics before the vote. Staff said the contract contains a 30‑day termination‑for‑convenience clause and that remaining funds under the current contract were in the low tens of thousands; one council member referenced roughly $20,000–$40,000 left on the prior authorization as context for the new work authorization. Pam and Lenford said much of the consultant role has been coaching and creating durable documentation so city staff can sustain the improvements once a permanent finance director is in place.

A motion to approve the work authorization was moved and seconded; the council approved the item by verbal roll call with all members present voting yes.

The contract extension is intended to ensure continuity through the audit and budget processes; staff said they expect the consultant to ramp down work once a finance director is hired and advised the council that termination for convenience is available when those staffing changes occur.