EXCLUSIVE: Council Eyes James Lombardi for City Treasurer
Sunday, January 09, 2011
Providence City Council President Michael Solomon is recommending that Internal Auditor James Lombardi be appointed as City Treasurer, GoLocalProv has learned.
“I think he’d make a fine treasurer,” Solomon told GoLocalProv. “He has the experience. He’s an accountant by trade, so I think it’d be a perfect fit for him.”
Lombardi, who has served as Internal Auditor for about a decade, blew the whistle last fall on the poor state of city finances. Just weeks before the November election, Lombardi issued a report warning that the city had depleted its cash reserves to dangerously low levels, was behind on pension payments, and already spent bond money meant to cover the deficit. He told GoLocalProv that “there was no question the city will run out of money.”
GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLASTAs Treasurer, Solomon said Lombardi “absolutely” would be in a position to help improve the state of the city’s finances.
Among his formal duties, Lombardi would be responsible for signing the city’s checks and balancing its checkbook. He would continue to monitor department spending and would serve on several city committees.
His appointment will come up for a vote by the City Council this Thursday. Solomon predicts he will win approval. “Most of the councilmen are confident in his ability and his background,” Solomon said.
The city Treasurer's position has been vacant for about a month.
Lombardi said the council is currently considering other candidates for the Internal Auditor position, but he declined to name any of them. “I’m not at liberty to say because I don’t want to jeopardize their positions elsewhere,” Solomon said.
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