Scott Williams, swilliams@wolfrivermedia.com
Shawano County is losing a key member of the finance staff that prepares and manages the county’s $51 million annual budget.
Darcy Smith, the county’s deputy finance director, is stepping aside to become finance director for Oneida County.
Smith, who has been with Shawano County for five years, works with Administrative Coordinator Brent Miller in a restructured finance department that was created last year.
Her departure, effective Sept. 16, comes as preparations are drawing to a close on the county’s 2017 budget, which will be presented to the County Board in October.
County officials are expressing confidence that the turnover will not disrupt county budget planning.
County Supervisor Deb Noffke, a member of the county finance committee, said staff work on the 2017 budget is far enough along that she expects no serious problems.
“Everybody gets to step up,” Noffke said. “We’ve got a pretty decent staff — they can handle it.”
The County Board last year eliminated the previous finance director position and combined the finance department with administration, turning over budget management to Miller and Smith.
Smith, previously the county’s accounting supervisor, was promoted to deputy finance director, and her salary was increased from about $57,000 a year to $70,928.
As Oneida County’s finance director, her new salary will be $84,794 a year.
Lisa Charbarneau, human resources director for Oneida County, said Smith was chosen from among 17 applicants to replace the current finance director, who is retiring. Charbarneau said Smith is familiar with Oneida County’s budgeting software and has experience with issues on the horizon for Oneida County.
Compared with other applicants, Charbarneau said: “She’s got a lot of experience. Her learning curve would be much lower.”
Smith is scheduled to start work in Oneida County on Oct. 3.
Shawano County officials have agreed to conduct a search for a new deputy finance director.