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Chicago Tribune
5 days ago
- Business
- Chicago Tribune
Aurora City Council approves new leadership of Finance, Public Works departments
The Aurora City Council on Tuesday approved the appointments of new leadership for the city's Finance and Public Works departments. The two appointees — Stacy Peterson, the new Chief Financial Officer and City Treasurer, and Jason Bauer, the new Director of Public Works and City Engineer — are the latest to be picked by Mayor John Laesch for top city leadership positions since he took office in May. Unlike other department heads Laesch has appointed, both Peterson and Bauer already worked for Aurora. Since first being hired by the city in 1999, Peterson has served as an accountant, accounting supervisor, assistant director of finance for budgeting and most recently as director of financial operations, her resume shows. She also briefly served as the interim Chief Financial Officer and City Treasurer from March 2017 to January 2018. Peterson is filling the vacancy left by former Chief Financial Officer and City Treasurer Chris Minick, who departed earlier this month after serving in the role since 2021. In her new role, Peterson will lead the Finance Department and its nearly 50 employees across various divisions, including accounting and payroll, budget, purchasing, revenue and collections, the city's motor vehicle parking administration and water billing, according to a recent city news release announcing her appointment. Laesch previously told The Beacon-News that Peterson has earned the job and that she will help keep budget and accounting procedures consistent across the department's change in leadership, especially since she helped create some of those procedures. Also because of her efforts, the city now has a streamlined budgeting process, efficient budget forecasting and a yearly public budget document, the city news release said. Plus, the news release noted that Aurora has received the Government Finance Officers Association Distinguished Budget Presentation Award for 26 consecutive years, which includes years under her leadership. Peterson said in the news release that she is honored to be selected for the role and looks forward to working with Laesch, along with his administration and City Council, to 'continue to secure fiscal responsibility and ethical governance.' In addition to her role with the city, Peterson is also an active member of both the Government Finance Officers Association and the Illinois Government Finance Officers Association, plus serves on the board of the Aurora Policemen Credit Union, the news release said. As for Bauer, he was appointed to be the director of Public Works and city engineer after serving in the role as an interim for months. The former director of Public Works and city engineer, Ken Schroth, left the city in March. Schroth's LinkedIn profile and the Panama City Beach, Florida, municipal website list him as that city's assistant utilities director. Bauer has worked at the city for over 10 years and started as a professional engineer in 2014, according to his resume. He became the assistant director of Public Works and assistant city engineer in June 2018, which he held until he became the interim director earlier this year. As assistant director and assistant city engineer, Bauer helped in daily operations and led efforts to put in place the city's annual capital improvement plan, according to the city's news release about his appointment. Plus, he both developed and worked to put in place the city's lead service line replacement program, and he serves on the state Lead Service Line Replacement Advisory Board, officials said in the news release. In his new role, Bauer will oversee the Public Works Department and its nearly 200 employees across various divisions, including engineering, street maintenance, water production, water and sewer maintenance, downtown services and electrical maintenance, the news release said. Bauer said in the news release that he is honored to have been chosen by Laesch and City Council for the job. Their confidence and support reflects not only on him but also on the entire department he now officially leads, he said. 'I am proud to be part of such a hardworking and committed team, and I look forward to doing everything I can to support their efforts as they continue delivering exceptional service to our residents and advancing the vision set forth by the mayor and City Council,' Bauer said, according to the release. The appointments of both Bauer and Peterson come soon after the Aurora City Council made exceptions to a rule requiring all department heads to live within the city or move there within one year of being appointed by the mayor and approved by the City Council. Now, that rule does not apply to department heads that are required to have a professional license or are required to have specialized training or knowledge. The roles filled by Bauer and Peterson are covered by this exception, and a city spokesperson previously confirmed that neither live within city limits. City officials have said that the change allows the city to be more competitive and have more flexibility to hire candidates based on qualifications, character and commitment, rather than being limited by where they live.
Chicago Tribune
17-07-2025
- Health
- Chicago Tribune
City of Gary announces new behavioral health division, grant awards
Everyone needs a little help sometimes, said Gary Mayor Eddie Melton, including himself. That need for help has led the city to launch the Gary Health Department's new behavioral health division, Melton and other officials announced Thursday morning. 'With the stress of life, the stress of jobs and the stress of just everything day-to-day, sometimes we need someone with expertise to talk to us, listen and provide guidance,' Melton said. 'Whether you're dealing with financial stress, family challenges or just feeling overwhelmed, you deserve support for your mental health just as much as your physical health.' The health department's new behavioral health division is funded by $1.5 million in American Rescue Plan Act funds. When it became law in 2021, ARPA provided about $350 billion in additional funding to state and local governments, according to the Government Finance Officers Association. Eligible uses of funds include revenue replacement, COVID-19 expenditures, premium pay for essential workers, and investments in water, sewer and broadband infrastructure. The Gary Common Council had to approve all uses of ARPA funds by December 2024. Melton said Thursday that the behavioral health unit wouldn't be possible without the council's collaboration. With the ARPA funding, the city awarded grants to 10 local organizations dedicated to addressing mental health and addiction challenges. Those organizations will partner with the city to help provide behavioral health services, including emergency housing, youth addiction programs and crisis intervention, according to the city of Gary. According to a news release, the Gary Health Department conducted three listening sessions in January and February to inform providers on the request for proposals process. The department has used tracking systems for payment and transparent documentation through the grant funding process. Organizations receiving funding include: the Sojourner Truth House, City Life, Butterfly Dreamz, Crisis Center Inc., Faith Community Center, Flourish Community Hub, For the Love of the Arts Summer Camp, Edgewater Youth Addictions, Compassion Care Community and All Things Autism. 'This investment reflects our belief that Gary's recovery must include mental, emotional and spiritual healing — not just economic development,' Melton said. 'I'm committed to working with our partners, like the Interfaith Action Network, to keep building here and to help invest in our residents.' Rev. Rameen Jackson with Interfaith Action Coalition said Thursday that the organization was created five years ago to be available for Gary residents to talk about their mental health and receive needed help. 'We were able to come together and talk passionately about the needs of our community and what we want to happen within our community,' Jackson said. 'No work can be done by itself. No group can do anything by themselves.' Gary Health Commissioner Dr. Janet Seabrooks said Thursday that she's happy to take on the work that Melton has wanted since coming into office. She believes the behavioral health department will benefit residents citywide. The behavioral health division will continue to monitor community impact throughout 2025, and city leadership will look for ways to keep the program sustainable long-term. Through the department and funding, Seabrook believes the organizations receiving grants can network and learn how to best work together for the community. 'In sharing the knowledge they have — that institutional, organizational knowledge they have with patients — that's going to be a way they can better serve the community,' Seabrook said. 'That can help reduce harm and end the cycle (of mental health challenges).'
Yahoo
28-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Derrick Brown named new assistant Albany city manager
ALBANY – Albany City Manager Terrell Jacobs announced Thursday that Derrick Brown will become the city's new assistant city manager for utility administration. The position opened at the end of January when former Assistant City Manager Yvette Fields retired from the role. Brown brings a wealth of knowledge to the position, city officials said in a news release. He has more than 32 years of manufacturing, accounting, business management, and leadership experience, having served in roles of increasing responsibility. A Monroe Comprehensive High School graduate, Brown earned a bachelor of accounting degree from Albany State University and a master of manufacturing management degree from Kettering University, formerly known as GMI Engineering and Management Institute. In his most recent role as chief financial officer for the city of Albany, Brown and his team have successfully managed a budget of more than $318 million. For 14 consecutive years and counting, the finance team has earned the 'Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting' from the Government Finance Officers Association. The team also earned the coveted 'Distinguished Budget Presentation Award' for Fiscal Year 2025 from the Government Finance Officers Association. Brown is also a Certified Retirement Plan Fiduciary, awarded by the Georgia Association of Public Plan Trustees. 'Having achieved this level of success in his previous roles, I have no doubt Mr. Brown will continue to excel and make significant contributions on behalf of the city of Albany as he leads Administrative Services, the Department of Community and Economic Development, Facilities Management, Fleet Management, the Recreation and Parks Department, Technology and Communications, the Public Information Office and the Business Development Office,' Jacobs said.
Yahoo
10-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Prestigious ‘Triple Crown' award won by Wichita Falls second straight year
WICHITA FALLS (KFDX/KJTL) — For two straight years, the City of Wichita Falls has received a few awards for meeting national standards through budgeting and financial reporting. The Government Finance Officers Association is called the 'Triple Crown.' In the 2023 fiscal year, Wichita Falls won three awards: Distinguished Budget Presentation Award Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting Popular Annual Financial Reporting Award Wichita Falls CFO Stephen Calvert said the awards stem from the teams' commitment to transparency. i.d.e.a. WF names 2025 semi-finalists 'I am grateful for our finance and leadership teams and the work they put in to earn these awards,' Calvert said. 'For our citizens, these awards are evidence that we are committed to transparency with our financial reporting.' To win these awards, all three reports were judged on their clear communication, financial planning and performance. All awards are judged on their own merits and deemed to meet the criteria by a panel of judges for each category. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
15-02-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
A ‘Golden' career: Longmont chief financial officer Jim Golden retires after 45 years with city
Jim Golden, Longmont's longtime chief financial officer, recently retired after crunching numbers for the city for 45 years and four months — not that anyone's counting. Originally hired in 1979 as an accountant, Golden became the city's finance director in 1987, which is essentially the same position he held until his retirement, although it was retitled about five years ago. 'This is the first job that I have been in since … college,' Golden said. 'I worked my way up.' The city's adopted budget for 1979, when Golden started, amounted to roughly $31 million. When it was approved last October, Longmont's 2025 budget exceeded $473 million. Golden grew up on Long Island and later graduated from St. John's University in Queens with a degree in accounting. Shortly after completing college, Golden left the Empire State and headed west for the Centennial State. 'I was born and raised (in New York) but I wasn't looking forward to working there,' Golden said. Golden officially retired from the city at the end of January. Teresa Molloy, who previously worked as the city's assistant chief financial officer, is now the city's chief financial officer. Whether it be the 2013 flood or the COVID-19 pandemic, Golden admired the teamwork city staff members displayed during difficult times. 'We … were able to create a really good culture here in the department,' Golden said. Over the years, the city has been recognized by the Government Finance Officers Association for its distinguished budget presentations and excellence in financial reporting. Golden, though, made clear that those awards were the result of his colleagues' professionalism, hard work and overall dedication to the city. 'He definitely is a legend in the city of Longmont,' Mayor Joan Peck said of Golden. 'He has guided our city fiscally for years in the right direction.' Longmont City Manager Harold Dominguez said that Golden was a critical part of the organization throughout his time with the city. 'He was vital every day,' Dominguez said of Golden. 'He was always willing to challenge and push on things where we could do better and … there's nothing more that I value than that kind of brutal honesty.' Longmont Downtown Development Authority Executive Director Kimberlee McKee noted how Golden had been part of the DDA since its inception in 1982. 'He believes in downtown; he believes in the businesses and the business owners that are … building the environment that we have here,' McKee said. McKee also recalled Golden's love of live, local music. 'You would always see him every summer at our downtown concert series,' McKee said. 'He would appreciate the music, he would be part of the community and it was always just so great to see him there.' On Tuesday nights, Golden and his colleagues could often be found at Longmont City Council meetings answering questions from local officials and residents about anything related to the city's financial and budgetary matters. 'The city of Longmont has … made a big impact on me as well as my family,' Golden said. 'Hopefully, I've given as much back in return.'
