FALL RIVER — Questions arose throughout a current Metropolis Council assembly over the prices spent for metropolis monetary companies, and a few councilors are scrutinizing bills which have doubled since metropolis chief monetary officer Bridget Almon took the helm over a 12 months in the past.
Metropolis Councilor Michelle Dionne talked about town’s persevering with reliance on contract work from Edward Iacoponi, who was enlisted by Mayor Paul Coogan final 12 months to assist construct the fiscal 2023 funds.
“The taxpayers are paying this invoice and, in plain English, that is bull—,” stated Dionne.
Former CFO Mary Sahady left her position in December 2021, a month earlier than her contract ran out, over a wage dispute with the administration.
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Iacapone has since stayed on for consulting companies to town auditor, treasurer and assessor’s division, which have all gone by important workers turnover.
Final 12 months, the Coogan administration employed the CPA and consulting agency Clifton, Larson and Allen to work with a brand new assessor, who has since left town’s make use of, and new workers in that division.
In response to Metropolis Administrator Seth Aitken, Clifton, Larson and Allen have been coaching the younger workers.
“There’s been quite a lot of coaching and growth, big-picture stuff,” stated Aitken on Friday.
He stated Iacapone has decreased his work hours just lately to 2 part-time days per week.
The Metropolis Council was introduced with the fiscal 2024 funds this month and hearings will start quickly.
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Whereas Dionne introduced her issues to gentle in final Tuesday’s assembly, Metropolis Councilor Linda Pereira had beforehand made her personal inquiry and shared an e mail she’d obtained from Aitken dated April 11.
In response to Aitken, Almon’s annual wage within the 2023 funds is $144,450. As of April 11, Iacapone, who as soon as labored as town’s auditor, earned $68,093 for consulting companies. Clifton, Larson and Allen earned $68,788 as of final month.
“And as soon as we’re performed with the numbers, that’s about $300,000,” stated Dionne.
When Sahady left, she was incomes $134,000, and with out consultants on the payroll.
Almon was not in attendance finally week’s assembly and on trip, so she was unable to deal with the councilors’ issues.
Dionne stated after the assembly that she didn’t have the experience to debate the CFO’s competency, however did query her management.
“You need to be capable of lead the cost. You shouldn’t want outdoors individuals that can assist you lead the cost. Simply my opinion,” stated Dionne.
How for much longer will Fall River pay for consultants and monetary companies?
One of many obstacles for the administration is discovering a candidate to fill the auditor’s place, which has been elevated to be aggressive with different communities.
Aitken stated just a few months in the past they provided the job to a really competent candidate, however the day after she accepted the place, she needed to decline it for household causes.
“It’s arduous to seek out somebody to come back in and hit the bottom working. Ideally, what we wish to do is taper off the work from Clifton, Larson and Allen and Iacapone.
“At this level, the one cause they’ve been right here so long as they’ve is, dropping the auditor set us again and having as many younger individuals as we’ve got makes it tougher to maneuver ahead the best way you wish to,” stated Aitken.
Requested if the administration has confidence in Almon, Aitken stated they did.
“100%,” stated Aitken. “I feel she’s been a extremely succesful adviser to the mayor across the funds of town.”
