CITY OF MIDLAND DIRECTOR OF FISCAL SERVICES
ANNOUNCES RETIREMENT

With the details of the 2004-05 budget securely in place and ready for its July 1 launch, Director of Fiscal Services Robert Fisher prepares for his own launch into retirement. The 25-year veteran of the City of Midland has announced his plans to retire effective July 15.

Fisher joined the City of Midland as the assistant finance director in 1979 and was promoted to finance director in 1989. Fisher became the City of Midland’s fiscal services director in 1995 when the offices of finance, purchasing, assessing and treasurer were merged to form the fiscal services department.

“Bob is the quintessential public administrator and will truly be missed by me and all the other employees that he has worked with,” said City Manager Karl Tomion, noting that Fisher’s excellence in fiscal leadership mixed with his sense of humor and love for the Detroit Tigers has become a cornerstone of the City of Midland workplace.

“Bob is known -- not only in our organization but around the State -- for his financial expertise, his leadership and his integrity. His work ethic brings excellence to everything he touches,” said Tomion noting that among his many accomplishments, Fisher worked closely with a number of city and county leaders to help create the City/County Joint Building Authority which financed construction of the Law Enforcement Center and continues to own and operate it today. He has also worked diligently to maintain the City’s very favorable municipal bond credit ratings that have resulted in substantial savings for Midland residents.

Since 1981, the City of Midland has annually received the Certificate for Achievement in Financial Reporting from the Government Finance Officers Association, an achievement that continued under Fisher’s 15 years of leadership in the finance department. Fisher oversaw the automation of the finance function with two separate computerized financial and accounting systems being implemented during his 25-year tenure.

Most recently, Fisher’s leadership helped members of the finance department deliver an on-time implementation of the new government accounting standards required under GASB 34 (Government Accounting Standards Board). 

“I credit the employees of the fiscal services area who really accomplish the day-to-day successes of the City. My contribution has been to make sure they received the training and the resources they needed to pull it off,” said Fisher.

Tomion said that City Councils have praised Fisher for his meticulous budget preparation process. “The City Council has always expressed a confidence and assurance in Bob’s fiscal responsibility for the City of Midland,” said Tomion.

In preparation for Fisher’s retirement, Tomion has named City Controller David Keenan as the City’s new fiscal services director. Keenan will take over as fiscal services director beginning July 16.

Keenan joined the City of Midland in 2000. Previous to joining the City Keenan held corporate controller positions in two private-sector businesses. Keenan received a bachelor’s degree in accounting and a master’s degree in business administration from Central Michigan University. He is also a Certified Public Accountant.

“We are very pleased that Dave has accepted this position,” said Tomion. “His private sector experience previous to joining the city and his four years with our organization made him a perfect candidate for the fiscal services director position.”

The city will begin a search for a new city controller this month.