FeedsCity loses another municipal treasurer
The city appears to be without a treasurer once again.
Charles Stanhouse, who was hired after a long search for a person to manage the $17 million city budget, is apparently no longer employed by the city. The circumstances that led to his sudden resignation remain unclear.
Bill Lawrence, city personnel director, confirmed Stanhouse’ resignation, but would give few other details, including the reason for the abrupt departure.
“He did not give a reason for his resignation,” Lawrence said. “He did not tell me whether he left for another position or not.”
Stanhouse quietly tendered his resignation Wednesday, city sources said.
Retaining a municipal treasurer to manage the budget has been a knotty task for the city. Of all of the city department heads, the treasurer is tied with the director of economic development in terms of having the most turnover. In the past five years – since the retirement of longtime treasurer Jim Kloubacher – four individuals have served in the position.
Alicia Wilson was hired by former City Manager Robert Gordon in 2003, and stayed about 18 months. David Sabuda, a former Wayne County financial analyst, was hired after a long search, but stayed only three months. He left for a higher-paid position in the City of Berkley.
Sophia Snow signed on with Inkster from the city of Saginaw, but left after a matter of weeks. Stanhouse was then hired last year.
Lawrence said he did not know why the city is having such a hard time holding on to a chief financial officer.
“I don’t have an opinion about that,” he said.
He also did not specifically address whether the city would seek someone with municipal finance experience, given that Stanhouse had not worked in municipal government.
“We’re looking for the best candidate,” he said.
In the past, pay for the position has been a concern because it fell below the amount most communities pay for a treasurer.
Lawrence said the position would pay from $66,000 to $87,000 per year, depending on the experience of the candidate.
Lynn Allen, the deputy city treasurer, will oversee the city budget and the nine employees that make up the financial department, Lawrence said.
In the past, the city has had to subcontract with retired treasurer Kloubacher to make sure the books were balanced, but that was before the city employed a deputy treasurer, Lawrence said.
A third agreement with Kloubacher remains a possibility, Stanhouse said.
“I will say that Jim has been a great resource to us and has always been helpful,” Lawrence said.
City Manager Joyce Parker did not return calls seeking comment about the treasurer’s spot.
Lawrence said the position would be posted on the city web site and on industry and trade group web sites, such as the one operated by the Michigan Municipal League. He said he could not give a timeline as to when he expects the position to be filled.
