I am saddened to hear the City of Asheville will be losing its CFO, Ben Durant. Durant is leaving to serve as vice chancellor of business and finance at Elizabeth City State University. Durant had a tough job, taking marching orders from city councils with spendthrift reputations. His presentations were always honest and credible, with undertones of warning council, “We can’t go on living this way.” Durant actually earned the standing-O given on his behalf at city council’s worksession Tuesday.
Scrounging around for a bright side, the assistant to the city manager, Lauren Bradley will be doubling as CFO during the executive search, so the city could save some money. Meanwhile, Assistant City Manager Jeff Richardson is doubling as human resources director while police are investigating allegations of fraud in that department. I haven’t read anything indicating whether the HR director serving prior to the investigation has time off with or without pay.
