In a recent government meeting, officials discussed the temporary appointment of Tara, the finance director from China Grove, North Carolina, to assist with financial operations in Clinton. Tara, who is currently employed full-time in China Grove, will be available on Fridays and potentially work from home during the week. This arrangement comes as the city faces a gap in its finance department following the departure of the previous finance officer, Kristen.

City officials clarified that there is no in-house deputy finance officer qualified to take on the responsibilities, prompting the need for an external consultant. The city manager will act as an interim finance officer, a role that has been filled in the past during transitions. The current setup requires two signatures for checks, and while Tara will approve purchase orders under $5,000, the city manager will handle those above that threshold.

The city is actively seeking a permanent replacement for the finance officer position, with applications currently open. Officials emphasized that this interim arrangement is intended to be short-lived, with hopes of finding a suitable candidate soon. The discussions highlighted the challenges of maintaining financial oversight during personnel changes and the importance of having qualified individuals in key roles to ensure the city's operations continue smoothly.