Documents
MARCO ISLAND — After about five months and a bit of political pressure to do so, City Manager Steven Thompson announced Monday afternoon that he has selected a new finance director. Patricia Bliss of North Miami Beach will fill the vacant finance director position for the City of Marco Island, beginning March 30.
The position has been filled temporarily by two individuals. Interim Finance Director Bob Creighton is expected to return to his position as the city’s purchasing manager. Former Finance Director Bill Harrison has been working as a city financial consultant after leaving the director’s position vacant following his sudden retirement in late October 2008.
Bliss has 27 years experience in government financing, according to her resume. She will be paid an annual salary of $100,000, plus 30 percent benefits, and monthly car and cell phone allowances, reported Marco’s City Clerk Laura Litzan.
“Bliss’s experience ranges from a city in Miami-Dade County with a large water utility system to several small and mid-size municipalities in the Chicago metropolitan area,” city information manager Lisa Douglass wrote in a prepared release Monday afternoon.
“Patricia (Bliss) brings a vast amount of knowledge in government accounting,” Thompson said. “Her experience and depth of understanding will assist the city just in time for the 2010 budget cycle.”
Bliss holds a bachelor of science degree in business administration with a major in accounting. She is a past vice president for the South Florida Government Finance Officers, a member of the Government Finance Officers Association, Women’s Public Finance Network, Florida Government Finance Officers Association and a host committee member for the 2008 National Conference for Government Finance Officers Association.
“An efficient and transparent finance department is the backbone of good government and good decision making,” said Bliss.
“I’m honored to be joining the professionally renowned team here in the City of Marco Island,” she added.
Bliss arrives to Marco Island from the City of North Miami Beach where she served as the city’s interim finance director from May 2008 through February 18.
She earned $105,904 as the interim director, reported North Miami Beach’s director of human resources Beverly Hobson.
Hobson said the city “has a neutral reference policy” and could share few specifics about Bliss’s time with the city other than “there is nothing negative” in her file.
Bliss worked in North Miami Beach’s finance department since 1995. Bliss worked in municipal finance departments for 12 years in the suburbs of Chicago, Ill., before working in Florida.
According to her resume, Bliss is not a certified public accountant.
Bliss is filling the position left vacant following Harrison’s retirement during political pressures in October 2008 when questions about city financial practices arose from councilors, city staff and residents.
Harrison began working for the city again in late January as a financial consultant at the rate of $100 per hour. He was listed as “finance director” in the January contract, a minor error on Litzan’s part, Thompson said in a recent City Council meeting on the issue.
It is not yet known if or when Harrison’s services with the city will be discontinued.
“(Harrison) will continue to work with us as needed on the STRP projects and other issues in which he adds value for the near future,” Thompson wrote in an e-mail to the Eagle Monday.
Winged Foot winner Brett Clark
Fort Myers Prostitution Arrests: May…
Collier County arrests: 05-26-2012
Scripps Interactive Newspapers Group
Comments » 8
dc5799 writes:
Harrison should be terminated when Ms.Bliss starts on March 30. Right Ed
JohninMarco writes:
Welcome Ms. Bliss to the frying pan. I give you a month before the attacks start flying.
hourigan82247 writes:
Why wasn't John Arceri considered for the position?
sailingalong writes:
Let's see. She was not selected as North Miami Beach's finance director where she had years of experience. She isn't a CPA. However she has years of experience in Chicago politics. Sounds like a perfect selection for Marco.
lauralbi1 writes:
sailingalong: I want to thank you, on behalf of the majority of voters on Marco Island, for demonstrating the predominant attitude of the vocal minority here on the Island. As evidenced by your comment above, you have shown that without a single shred of knowledge on a topic, not a resume, not a bit of relevant information germain to the subject, that you can still come to a negative conclusion that does nothing for anyone on the Island. So typical and so true for all of you. What sad lives you must lead in a place that is Paradise for so many. I wish I could feel sorry for you.
Ed Issler
shadow writes:
ed...only you and monte would want to kill an American Eagle for personal "solar" gain. yu have no room to preach here.
lauralbi1 writes:
Shadow: Only the facts, man. Only the facts. Your blog above exemplifies the same as that of sailingalong. It actually goes a long way to proving the point I was making. Keep 'em coming guys, you are showing the true nature of CAVE and what it means !!!
Ed Issler
sailingalong writes:
Issler, I only pointed out the facts. Was anything I said wrong? NO! It is on you if you interpreted them as being negative. You then bring out your tired and well worn act of attacking the messenger.
Share your thoughts
Comments are the sole responsibility of the person posting them. You agree not to post comments that are off topic, defamatory, obscene, abusive, threatening or an invasion of privacy. Violators may be banned. Click here for our full user agreement.