Biddeford City Manager Jim Bennett announced in a press release on Monday that he had nominated Fournier for the position of Biddeford’s finance director, to begin July 3. The Biddeford City Council is scheduled to vote on the appointment tonight for final approval.
“It is with mixed emotions that I have accepted the offer to become Biddeford’s finance director,” said Fournier in a written statement. “I have enjoyed my time with Saco. It will be very difficult to leave my colleagues, many of who have become friends. I look forward to becoming an active member of the Biddeford team.
Bennett said in a written statement that Fournier has been employed in the world of finance since 1991, with experience in both the private and public sectors and 20 years of leadership responsibility.
“I am confident that her leadership, abilities and passion will be an outstanding addition to the talented Biddeford team,” he said.
When Fournier first expressed interest in the position in Biddeford, Bennett said, he reached out to Saco City Administrator Kevin Sutherland about the two cities sharing Fournier in a joint finance director position.
The proposal for a joint finance director was approved by the Biddeford City Council but failed to get final approval by a narrow margin in a Saco City Council vote.
Biddeford Mayor Alan Casavant said in a written statement that he was impressed with Fournier’s contributions to Saco, including her service as acting city administrator.
Sutherland said in a phone interview that Fournier has been an extremely valuable, dedicated, and an efficient employee. He said under Fournier’s tenure, the city has consistently received the annual Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting through the Government Finance Officer’s Association.
Sutherland said city officials have not had time yet to discuss the process to find a replacement, and Fournier has agreed to help the city during its transition.
Bennett said in an email that Fournier, if hired, will receive an annual starting salary of $104,500. Sutherland said her annual salary in Saco was about $97,000.
— Staff Writer Liz Gotthelf can be contacted at 282-1535, ext. 325 or egotthelf@journaltribune.com.
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