Derby reinstates embattled city finance director
DERBY — The city’s finance director, Agata Herasimowicz, can have her job back - if she wants it.
Herasimowicz was reinstated to her position on Wednesday following a sometimes tense Board of Aldermen & Alderwomen meeting. The board voted 8-1 to reinstate her, over the objection of Mayor Rich Dziekan, who recommended she be fired. Only Charles Sampson sided with the mayor.
Her reinstatement puts to an end months of discussions and controversy over her being placed on administrative leave over allegations she improperly used city funds.
Herasimowicz did not attend the meeting but addressed the board in an email sent shortly before the meeting and read aloud by Alderwoman Anita Dugatto.
“I still believe I could make a positive impact for this city. But you’re the judge,” she wrote. “I understand that changes and challenges are usually painful. But the results are very enriching. Sincerely, Agata.”
Herasimowicz, Dziekan and Chief of Staff Walt Mayhew did not return messages requesting comment Thursday.
Herasimowicz was hired by the city in May 2021, initially to help the
city reorganize its finances. She performed her job without issue until shortly after Mayhew was hired in December to succeed Andrew Baklik.
Herasimowicz was placed on administrative leave in early March for undisclosed reasons, with Mayhew taking over her job responsibilities. A report released earlier this month, prepared by MahoneySabol, an accounting and consulting firm, indicated the suspension was over allegations she improperly spent city money on several occasions.
However, the report did not conclude she did anything improper. While she was found to have approved payment for police video equipment without authorization from the Board of Apportionment
and Taxation, which the company said is not sound budgetary practice and not in accordance with the city charter, MahoneySabol deemed that act “reasonable” because the purchased was mandated by the state and necessary to comply with contractual obligations. In addition, BOAT had already authorized Dziekan to enter into a contract for the equipment.
The company also deemed Herasimowicz’s hiring of temporary workers for the finance department and tax office “necessary and reasonable” due to vacant positions in those offices and a subsequent backlog of work.
The report also stated the city often authorized purchases after the purchases were made and the vendor invoice received, departments did not always submit vendor invoices in a timely manner, and payments were not always reviewed for budgetary compliance before being approved. MahoneySabol concluded that Herasimowicz’s overpayments were at least partly the result of a lack of defined financial procedures.
Dugatto pointed out that Herasimowicz had been working on drafting such policies, and that the city needed her to come back.
Herasimowicz had other defenders on the board, who pointed out her performance had been praised by the state’s Municipal Finance Advisory Commission.
“I think the totality of the circumstances, the information we were provided, what she explained to us ... she should have an opportunity to continue in employment here,” said First Ward Alderwoman Barbara DeGennaro.
Resident Tom Lionetti agreed, saying he couldn’t understand the city’s actions.
“She does a great job,” he said. “When I speak to her, I feel like I’m talking to an educated person in finance.”
Should Herasimowicz accept her job back, she will report directly to the mayor. As of Thursday, that is still uncertain.