Community Profiles - Finance Directors

Community Profiles - Finance Directors

Tuesday, 07 August 2007

Q&A with Leander's and Cedar Park's finance director

Sharon Johnson, Leander finance director

Sharon Johnson has worked in city government positions for more than 20 years, earning numerous awards and recognition including Woman of the Year by the Business Professional Woman’s Club and Citizen of the Year by the Gladewater Chamber of Commerce.

In 2004, Johnson was informed of a city management position opening in Leander. “I absolutely fell in love with Leander. The hill country is amazing,” she said. “It’s been a wonderful three and a half years.”

She said the area growth keeps her job fun and interesting and she is constantly looking forward to what will happen next. “I love this area,” Johnson said. “There is always a lot to see and do.”

Q. What are your responsibilities as finance director?

A. There are myriad duties. I am in charge of financial planning, political development, administration of financial accounts, accounting, payroll, budget, treasury management, utility billing, capital improvement programs and maintaining fixed assets.

Q. What are some interesting aspects of this years budget?

A. Because of the sales tax growth, we are able to accomplish a number of things that are important to the City of Leander. We are trying to grow our staff with the budget; we have added 16 full-time and two part-time positions. The City of Leander has a very professional staff, and I am pleased to be a part of that.

Q. How do you balance the priorities of city departments and the city council?

A. I look at the council’s goals and objectives, and we try to set them into motion on a yearly basis while maintaining a balanced budget.

Q. What would you describe as your most important duty?

A. Treasury management because it is the area that can make or break a city in a hurry. If you are not meticulous with the bond payment and responsibility, it could cost the city in its bond rating. Leander has moved its bond rating forward in the three years that I have been here.

Q. What is your favorite stress reliever or pastime? Why?

A. I really enjoy spending time with my granddaughter. We take her on vacations with us, and it is always so fun. A grandparent never gets tired of spending time with their grandchild.

• Education: Attended classes at Kilgore College. Certified Tax Assessor and Certified Public Manager.
• Family: Husband, two children and one grandchild.
• Contact Information: 528-2724, sharon@ci.leander.tx.us

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Joyce Herring, Cedar Park finance director

Joyce Herring brought 11 years of financial experience when she was hired as Cedar Park’s financial director in October 2005. She worked for the City of Austin in the information systems department, financial department in the budgeting office and in the police department as one of three financial managers. Herring came to Cedar Park as accounting manager and later became financial director. She believes her background as a certified public accountant is valuable to her position as finance director. “Our projects can be long, drawn out and labor intensive,” Herring said. “But they are interesting and exciting.”

Q. What are your duties as finance director?

A. I oversee all financial aspects of the city, including utility billing in which I make sure customers’ utility bills are correct, issued correctly and payment is recorded correctly, preparing monthly reports for the council and keeping the council informed of revenue and expenditure activity of the city. I report directly to the city manager. We also have a grant coordinator in our office who works with the departments to find out what their needs are and then she finds and applies for grants.

Q. What are some interesting aspects of this years budget?

A. We provided the cost of living increase for all city employees, implemented a 20-year retirement program (from 25 year), added 14 full-time positions to the budget and added six police officer and five firefighter positions. Also, the sales tax revenue increased 20 percent from last year from all of the economic activity in our area and the population increase.

Q. How do you balance the priorities of city departments and the city council?

A. I focus on what needs to be done first, with the direction from the city manager. It has been helpful that Sharon Johnson and I have been able to keep in contact with each other and compare situations.

Q. What would you describe as your most important duty?

A. Safeguarding the city’s financial assets because it is my duty to the taxpayers and citizens of Cedar Park. It is their money, and I am required to provide services to them.

Q. What is your favorite stress reliever or pastime? Why?

A. I enjoy spending time with my family and relaxing with my grandchild.

• Education: Bachelor’s in accounting from the University of Texas at Austin
• Family: Husband, two children and one grandchild
• Contact Information: 401-5158, herring@cedarparktx.us