Pontiac City Council Seeks Answers on Finance Director Vacancy and Project Delays at Upcoming Meeting

Pontiac City Council Faces Tough Questions at Upcoming Meeting

The city of Pontiac is gearing up for an important meeting this Tuesday, where City Council members are set to grill Mayor Tim Greimel on some pressing issues that have been hanging over the city like a dark cloud. As residents of Pontiac, you might be feeling concerned and curious about what’s going on, and your council is determined to get some answers.

Key Issues on the Table

The council has identified at least three significant questions that need addressing:

• Why has the city struggled to find a replacement for the finance director? The previous finance director departed over six months ago, leaving a gap that still hasn’t been filled.
• What’s the hold-up with the Martin Luther King Jr. bridge contracts? The council had approved contracts for this critical project earlier this year, but it seems nothing has moved forward.
• Have past bills related to an actuarial study and the IRS been paid? This all relates to a long-standing dispute with retired city employees who believe there’s a significant gap in their checks.

City Council President Mike McGuinness has emphasized the need for transparency, stating, “We are proactively pursuing answers on important matters so the council and community have a full understanding of what’s happening.” It seems that some of these issues have even caught the council off guard, with McGuinness learning about the stalled bridge contract from a source outside the city. The timing of contracts is crucial, especially for keeping projects on track.

A Finance Director Still on the Loose

As noted, going without a finance director for this long has raised eyebrows. The most recent candidate, Dee Ann Irby, was approved by the city council with a salary of $153,000 a year, only to pull out just days before her start date on September 9. Irby had quite an impressive background as the controller in Troy and holds over 20 years of experience in finance. However, news of her withdrawal has left the city still searching for the right fit.

Pontiac spokeswoman Paula Bridges reported that city officials interviewed another “great candidate for finance director” and are hopeful for clarity on the new hire by the end of the week. In the meantime, the acting finance director, Sekar Bawa, along with Deputy Mayor Khalfani Stephens, will keep the finance department running. The wheels of municipal finance cannot come to a halt, after all!

Ensuring Funds are Used Wisely

Earlier this year, the council took proactive measures by partnering with Ernst & Young, an accounting firm charged with ensuring that the city’s $37 million allocated from the American Rescue Plan Act is managed correctly. They need to ensure that the funds are committed before the year wraps up and that they comply with federal guidelines. This matter is critical since failure to meet these standards could mean losing that vital financial support.

The Call for Oversight

The ongoing financial leadership vacuum has prompted McGuinness to call for more oversight and transparency in city finances: “Especially considering the prolonged leadership vacuum in the city’s finance department, the council needs to ensure there is oversight and transparency to keep our municipal finances healthy.” This sentiment resonates widely with residents who rightfully want to see their city’s funds managed effectively.

As the meeting approaches, members of the Pontiac community are encouraged to stay informed and engaged. We’re all on this journey together, and understanding the city’s financial landscape is important for every citizen. So, mark your calendars and keep your ears open for what’s to come as Pontiac’s council presses for answers that could shape the city’s future.