News Talk 94.1/AM 1600 Where The Upper Cumberland Talks
Fentress County received over ten finance director applicants over the application period.
County Executive J. Michael Cross said the application period closed on Friday evening.
“Matter of fact, four o’clock Friday and then we had a finance committee meeting to review the applications,” Cross said. “We had twelve applicants and we narrowed it down to six. They will be interviewed this coming Wednesday.”
Cross said the finance committee saw a wide range of qualifications from each of the six applicants.
“Two of which were finance directors already. We have got banking experience and the education system, budgeting, and finance,” Cross said. “We have people with CPAs and accounting degrees, so we have got a broad range to choose from.”
Fentress County started the search for a new director after terminating the Finance Director Marsha Delk in June. An investigation revealed Delk gave unapproved raises in 2015 and 2016.
The finance committee will schedule interview times for the six applicants today.
“We obviously have been working on a set of questions that we will ask everyone that we interview, the same questions,” Cross said. “But we will bring them in, do the interviews, and meet afterward to evaluate all those. And see if there is a clear-cut choice.”
Cross said he hopes to see the position filled as soon as possible.
“There is not necessarily a deadline date but we are in the midst of setting our budget for next year. We would like to move as quickly as possible without hurrying it up or anything,” Cross said. “But quick as we can put a finance director in place, so we can finish the budget process and get that submitted to the state.”
Kellye Cooper stands as interim director during the search for a new director.
“Kellye is doing a great job. She has several years of experience in the finance office and has done several duties closely related to the director’s job,” Cross said. “So there is a comfort level within the department and for the commissioners.”
