By Charlotte Underwood
JACKSBORO, TN. (WLAF)- Campbell County’s Financial Management System FMS committee met on Tuesday evening, accepting the resignation of County Finance Director Jeff Marlow, as well as discussing steps to take in hiring a new finance director.
An ad with qualification requirements will be put together by the county mayor’s office to be reviewed and approved by the FMS committee on Thursday evening at 6 pm.
The committee accepted the resignation of Marlow after FMS chair County Mayor Jack Lynch read the resignation letter to the committee. Marlow’s letter, which was addressed to the county mayor and the county commission, stated his last day would be Friday, Sept. 26. It will also be the last day for purchasing agent Lisa Bowlin and budget analyst Richard Terry.
Lynch said it fell to the FMS committee to “begin the process of finding a new finance director”, and he went over the qualifications that were required by law, according to County Technical Assistance Service (CTAS).
Chief Financial Officer and Co Chief of Staff for Knox County Government Chris Caldwell attended the meeting to give input at the invitation of the county mayor and committee.
Lynch clarified that Caldwell was not applying for the position and was there to offer his advice on the hiring process.
FMS Committee Member and commission chair Johnny Bruce said commissioners had been invited to provide input as well.
FMS committee members looked at CTAS qualifications for the director of finance by state law.
“The only thing the law allows us to do is hire a finance director or split that off into a director and a purchasing agent,” Lynch said.
He told committee members he had asked other counties what they did to advertise for finance director positions and what requirements they had used, and questions asked.
After looking at examples from Claiborne County, Roane County and others, committee members picked what they liked from each to combine in an advertisement for the position.
“They are all very similar, and all have those same minimum requirements as presented by CTAS and required by law,” Lynch said.
He pointed out that Scott County printed exactly what is listed by CTAS and that as their ad.
They asked for input from Caldwell, who told them to advertise “far and wide” and to, use CTAS, and any organization willing to post the advertisement for the position, as well as to put it on Indeed, which was a nation-wide site.
“I believe with the right compensation you will have many viable candidates. I would also engage Jeff Marlow and get his input on his successor,” Caldwell said. He also told the committee to encourage Campbell County candidates, “but to not limit yourself to that pool only,” Caldwell said.
He also told the committee they were on a limited timeline, but to not let that make them “rush the hire.”
Committee members briefly discussed qualifications, some of which include a finance background, with governmental accounting, as a plus.
“It comes down to fit,” Lynch said.
FMS Committee member Director of Schools Jennifer Fields said communication and transparency were important qualifications to have in a candidate.
The advertisement will also list preferred certifications and qualifications such as successful business, knowledge of business management, strong knowledge of county budgeting and analysis and more.
“We need to keep moving with this,” said FMS committee member and County Commissioner Rusty Orick.
Lynch said that they should do it the same as when the county hired a Veterans Affairs Director and have the interviews as open forums with the committee and bring at least the top five candidates in for interviews.
FMS Committee members went over questions for the interview process such as supervisor or manager experience, where candidates have been employed and why they are seeking new employment, as well as the dollar amount of the largest budget managed and their intent on retaining current staff, just to name a few.
Sheriff Wayne Barton suggested having a state and federal background check and a drug test.
FMS Committee member and Commissioner Dewayne Baird suggested making sure candidate’s degrees were legitimate, to which Fields said those would be sent from the actual educational institutions that the candidates had attended.
The meeting was recessed until Thursday, June 12 at 6 pm when the FMS committee will meet to approve for the position to be advertised.
“It’s going to be hard to fill those shoes,” Orick said.
(WLAF NEWS PUBLISHED 6/11/2025-6AM)
发表回复