Melanie Purcell, the City of Ashland’s Finance Director, announced her resignation from the City effective August 6, 2021. Melanie came to the City in 2020 and was an immediate contributor and leader within the City’s executive management team. She played a critical role in leading the recently adopted biennial budget that provides the City Council with a balanced budget and a solid roadmap to improve the financial stability and resiliency of the City’s finances into the future.
The resignation of any Department Director from the management team impacts both day-to-day operations of the City and the collective staff support to the Mayor and Council. The City has competent and experienced staff in the Finance Department and a remaining group of skilled, experienced, cohesive leaders in the Executive Team. City Manager Pro Tem, Adam Hanks, shared his appreciation for Melanie, stating: “Melanie came to the City amid the early stages of the COVID. She was a driving force in developing forecasts and assisting Department Heads in navigating a period of financial uncertainty while also leveraging her decades of experience in shaping a challenging budget. I feel personally fortunate to have worked with her during this relatively short but highly impactful time in Ashland and wish her the very best.”
The City Council has a special meeting scheduled for Tuesday, June 29 at 5:00 p.m. to discuss both the Interim City Manager and Interim Finance Director appointment processes.
