City Takes Step Closer to Hiring AFO

East Providence appears to be a step closer to getting an Administrative and Finance Officer (AFO) to continue the state’s oversight of its financial affairs for the next five years. 

The East Providence Budget Commission approved a salary for the position at its most recent meeting last week. The AFO will be paid approximately $95,000 plus benefits – or a cost to the city of approximately $140,000. 

The Budget Commission put off approving an organizational chart that includes the position, however, when City Manager Peter Graczykowski, a member of the commission, questioned the position’s fit -- especially its reporting relationship -- and its value to the city.

“I’m not sure what we’re getting for it,” Graczykowski said. “We already have a human resources director and a financial director. Is there value in it?”

The city manager said he understands the state legislation that set up the Budget Commission also mandates that an AFO be put in place when the commission leaves. But he simply doesn’t know exactly how the position will fit into a city government that has been consolidating positions.

An organizational chart given out at the meeting shows the AFO reporting directly to the mayor and working directly with the City Council and the School Committee. There appears to be no direct working relationship with the city manager or the superintendent of schools. 

School Committee Chairman Joel Monteiro and City Councilor Chrissy Rossi also questioned the AFO reporting to Briden as the “chief elected officer” in East Providence.

Briden, also a member of the Budget Commission as mayor, only represents one ward, they both said, and is considered the city’s chief officer only because the council elected him to be mayor. The mayor has no other city official reporting directly to him.

A legal opinion asked for by Briden indicates that he is considered the “chief elected officer” and can hire the AFO from finalists selected by State Revenue Director Rosemary Booth Gallogly.

Budget Commission Chair Diane Brennan said the AFO would offer a “check and balance” and would make sure East Providence continues to work within the financial parameters set up by the commission, especially the five-year spending plan.

“Do you want the Budget Commission to stay here for the next five years?” Brennan said to Graczykowski. 

Gallogly, who attended the meeting, admitted that fitting in an AFO in East Providence “will be a work in progress day to day” as the position implements actions in the state legislation and the policies and procedures set up by the Budget Commission.

The organizational chart will be dealt with again at the Budget Commission’s next meeting in June.