Collard to serve as interim Finance Director
The Winnebago County Board continues its search for its next Finance Director, but until that post is filled, the county will have someone in place to fill the void.
Mike Collard, the county’s Director of Human Resources, has been named interim Finance Director and will oversee the department until permanent director is named. According to an email from the county, County Executive made the appointment after “analysis with internal staff.”
Collard is began his tenure the first week of January and is expected to hold the interim position through at least the first quarter of the year.
The email from the county stated that Doemel feels it’s crucial to get the right person hired for the position so the search will continue. But until the void is filled, “Mike is ready and able to lead the department.”
Former Winnebago County Finance Director Vicky Fitzgerald resigned her position to become the City Administrator in Omro. She left at the end of 2021, which created the void. The county is also without an assistant Finance Director.
The position has been posted since December. Shortly after the position was posted, Collard said the ideal timeline to fill the position would be to have someone in place and ready for approval by the County Board at the February meeting.
Collard said in December that in addition to department staff, the county could seek more assistance from outside sources, including the county’s accounting firm, to help manage finances. A resolution will is on the agenda for the upcoming County Board of Supervisors meeting for a $40,000 transfer of funds to help cover any costs to the department in regard to filling the position.
