Germantown spends most of 2018 without finance director

Germantown has spent most of 2018 without a finance director, but city officials hope the position will be filled soon.

Paul Turner resigned Jan. 19, and the city posted the opening on its website, but the position is no longer listed with other employment opportunities in the city.

The position will be posted again “soon,” according to Patrick Lawton, city administrator.

Lawton named Linda Rathje, a certified municipal finance officer, the interim director on Jan. 29. Rathje is the city’s accounting manager. Ralph Gabb, a former finance director, is assisting on a part-time basis. Lawton is also working with the department.

“In any organization it is critical to get the right fit, and in our city organization we can be selective,” Lawton said in an email. “I don’t intend to say anything else about the position other than the city is (in) amazing financial shape with a balanced budget and our AAA bond intact.”

The Commercial Appeal filed a public records request for Turner’s resignation letter on Oct. 22. The city said the records would not be available until Nov. 14. Resident Pauline Lathram filed a similar records request in April and shared the records she received.

According to those records, Turner’s exit interview shows he was not pleased working for the suburban government. In his exit interview, he identified that he was “very dissatisfied” with the opportunity to get things done. He also said he was “undermined” by other departments and cited “cliques” within City Hall.

“I was questioned and undermined by several departments and people throughout the year,” Turner wrote in his comments. “My initiatives were not taken seriously and instead questioned and undermined with no support. Colleagues from several departments did not support initiatives that would have helped all of our customers. Some colleagues have formed cliques that seem to be more important than process improvement for citizens.”

Alderman Forrest Owens said the finance department is doing well as city officials continue to search for a finance director.

“We’re blessed that we have the good fortune to be able to call on Ralph Gabb,” he said. “We are in good hands and not suffering.”

But Alderman Dean Massey said the finance department is not working efficiently.

“Without a finance director, citizens should be concerned about whether or not there is sufficient professional oversight and analysis of the projects and positions being recommended by the administration,” Massey said.

The city has operated without a financial analyst, which has resulted in underestimating tax revenues in recent years and tax increases for citizens, Massey said. He noted the budget was approved this summer without a finance director.

Owens said he hoped the city would hire someone in January or February to be present for the budget proposal.

“I think the clear intent is to get someone in there as soon as possible,” Owens said.

Abigail Warren covers Germantown for The Commercial Appeal. Reach her at abigail.warren@commercialappeal.com or follow her on Twitter @aewarren3.

Patrick Lawson