Search for E.P. 'Fiscal Advisor' Expected to Start Next Week

The search for a state-mandated Municipal Finance Advisor (MFA) for East Providence is expected to start next week and run for at least three weeks.

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

A draft job description was presented at the East Providence Budget Commission meeting in City Hall on Thursday afternoon, Aug. 1. It is expected to be finalized this week, said Christy Healy, a Budget Commission member. 

"We wanted to present the draft today," said Diane Brennan, chair of the budget board.

The MFA position was created by amendments to the state law that governs the East Providence Budget Commission and initially called for an Administrative and Finance Officer to be appointed. The MFA is taking the place of the AFO. 

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.

Examples of work to be performed by the MFA include:

• Recommending sound fiscal policies for implementation and monitoring to city officials.
• Monitoring and overseeing all financial operations and activities, including the city’s operating and capital budgets.
• Reviewing operational results of city funds and evaluating their structural soundness.
• Advising city financial officials.
• Assisting in all municipal financial affairs.
• Reviewing and approving the municipal and capital spending plans.
• Reviewubg and approving all proposed labor contracts.
• Monitoring the receipt of revenues and expenditure of all funds.
• Reporting every three months to the City Council and all state financial officers on the fiscal stability and operations of the city.
• Reporting any inappropriate expenditure, improper accounting procedure and all failures to properly record financial transactions to the City Council.

Applicants will need a thorough knowledge and understanding of public administration, municipal accounting procedures and practices, and the ability to prepare, analyze and present municipal budgets to city officials.

Resumes should be sent to Rosemary Booth Gallogly, Director, Department of Revenue, 1 Capitol Hill, Providence, RI 02908.

The deadline for applications has not been determined. But the search is expected to take most of August. Applicants for the AFO position are expected to be part of the search, said Brennan.