Fiscal Advisor Search to Heat Up Next Week

The deadline for applications for the new state-mandated position of Municipal Fiscal Advisor for East Providence is today, Aug. 23, with a reviews of the applications and calls to candidates for interviews expected to start as early as next week.

East Providence Budget Commission chair Diane Brennan briefed the board on the MFA post at its meeting Thursday afternoon, Aug. 22, according to a story in the East Providence Post. There are several applicants for the post set up by Rhode Island's Fiscal Stability Act.

Brennan said she expects to have an update on the MFA search by the budget board’s next meeting on Sept. 12.

The MFA will be an employee of the city but be appointed by and report to the state revenue department director. The advisor will be paid a base salary of $90,000 a year -- split by the state and city. 

According to the job description, the primary responsibility of the fiscal advisor will be “monitoring the overall budgetary and financial administration and fiscal health” of East Providence after the Budget Commission is abolished. Applicants need not be residents of the city.

The Budget Commission also gave East Providence Schools Superintendent Kim Mercer and the School Committee authority to fill more than two dozen vacancies – most of which came this week from requests for leaves of absence or resignations.

Mercer told the budget board that 22 employees requested leaves or resigned since Monday, Aug. 19, creating an “inordinate” number of 27 posts that need to be filled by Sept. 5 – a week before the commission meets again.

The posts will be filled as soon as possible and then approved officially by the Budget Commission on Sept. 12.