City Council encounters another obstacle in city auditor search
Updated:*
City Council is dealing with a second obstacle in its attempt to find a new city auditor.
The first choice, T. Paul Tomoser, withdrew his name from consideration citing he did not feel the job was a good fit with his long-range goals at this time.
Monday night, a special City Council meeting was called to discuss the response from second choice, Andrea Butola of Rhode Island.
Mercer Group senior vice-president W.D. Higginbotham reported that after several phone call and email exchanges, Butola asked for a salary of $140,000, a monthly stipend of $2,300 for up to six months while selling her house, relocation reimbursement at $5,000 and she could start on May 1.
City Attorney Dolores Menendez pointed out that the position is not a contract and only two items are open for negotiation – salary and relocation expenses.
“I see no provision for payments outside salary and relocation expenses,” said Menendez. “The rest of the points typically are negotiated on a contract basis, and housing provisions are not available to any other city positions.”
Councilmember Marilyn Stout said, “She is coming to a less costly economy. Her husband still works in Rhode Island.”
She also suggested perhaps the city auditor position should be a contract position.
“The three candidates heard the $140,000 figure come from this dais when we interviewed them,” Stout added. “I think we need more research on what other cities pay their auditor and come back with that information.”
Councilmember Rich Williams offered, “We are not looking for the best, we are looking for who we want to pay. As much as I would like to see her here, I think $140,000 is too high. That’s a $37,000 raise for her.”
Councilmember Jim Burch said, “She brings zero experience with a municipality. It’s just not there. For her to say it was her final offer, I say no on $140,000 and on $130,000 for that matter, but we do need to do statewide research.”
Williams said, “This amounts to a promotion for her, not a lateral move with more responsibility.”
After making a quick Internet search, Councilmember Richard Leon said, “I see $140,000 is higher than a lot of others.”
Retiring City Auditor Margaret Krym suggested council, “Postpone the decision until next week. Let me talk to Andrea on the salary part of it. Give me one chance to see if it really is her final offer.”
Most council members were OK with postponing a decision until next Monday, while waiting for more information on salaries elsewhere and also allowing Krym to contact the candidate.
Council’s next meeting is at 4:30 p.m. on Monday.
* Editor’s note: This story has been updated to correct the requested monthly stipend figure. The amount requested is $2,300, not $$23,000.