Members of the Mount Pleasant Finance Committee Wednesday approved funding the salary and benefits for a new finance director.
Despite approving the creation of the finance director position last year, Mount Pleasant trustees did not account in the 2013 budget for the salary and benefits that would go with the job.
"The position was authorized by the board but not funded," Administrator Kurt Wahlen said during the meeting. "So I looked to see if we even had the money in the budget in 2013."
Wahlen found about $188,000, savings primarily from vacant positions. Assuming the finance director would make about $90,000 annually, he prorated the rest of the year at about $45,000.
"We can definitely fund that and then work in the salary for next year during budget time," he added.
Village President Mark Gleason ran for his seat on promises to fill the administrator's job and to get a finance director on board as soon as possible. He reiterated during the meeting how important he feels the position is for the overall success of the village.
"This is a critically important position that we need filled soon because budget time is coming and this year will be hard," he said.
Members of the Personnel Committee will discuss recruiting for a finance director Thursday at their 10 a.m. meeting.
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