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Completed Task?
City Manager Harry Walker said at last night's City Council meeting that Donald McKensie, city consultant turned acting finance director somewhere along the line, is no longer with the city. Walker offered no detailed explanation for the exit, except to say McKensie had "completed his task."
The only task McKensie completed that stands out is convince city officials to change accounting software systems (making it the third system for the city in as many years). The city's administration went ahead and made the switch from Caselle software to 4Gov even though City Council never formally approved the switch.
The cost to taxpayers?
Well, the city paid $109,395 over two years to purchase Caselle, which the city now owns. But because McKensie said Caselle was not as user-friendly as 4Gov he had the finance department start using 4Gov, which the city gets to use for free for one year. After that, the city will be charged $150 per month per user, which the city said would equate to less than $1,000 per month.
A couple years ago, then Finance Director Rickie Dean, hired by City Manager Harry Walker, picked out Caselle because he felt the system used by the previous administration wasn't good enough. Then the city fired Dean and hired McKensie who said the system Dean picked wasn't good enough, so he picked out another system. And now McKensie is gone and the city is searching for a new finance director.
So a taxpayer is likely wondering, how much will the next finance director cost them?
The only task McKensie completed that stands out is convince city officials to change accounting software systems (making it the third system for the city in as many years). The city's administration went ahead and made the switch from Caselle software to 4Gov even though City Council never formally approved the switch.
The cost to taxpayers?
Well, the city paid $109,395 over two years to purchase Caselle, which the city now owns. But because McKensie said Caselle was not as user-friendly as 4Gov he had the finance department start using 4Gov, which the city gets to use for free for one year. After that, the city will be charged $150 per month per user, which the city said would equate to less than $1,000 per month.
A couple years ago, then Finance Director Rickie Dean, hired by City Manager Harry Walker, picked out Caselle because he felt the system used by the previous administration wasn't good enough. Then the city fired Dean and hired McKensie who said the system Dean picked wasn't good enough, so he picked out another system. And now McKensie is gone and the city is searching for a new finance director.
So a taxpayer is likely wondering, how much will the next finance director cost them?
posted by Daily Local at
7:20 AM
7 Comments:
Any University that has classes on City Government should use Coatesville and Harry Walker for a case study. The title could be - "How to destroy a city in 3 years or less!" Or another title - What not to do if you are a city manager - the Harry Walker Story!
I thought Harry was an Harward Educated man - boy, Harvard just does not have the same luster as it once did for me.
The City of Coatesville has the highest property tax and the highest income tax in Chester County. We have some of the highest crime rates this side of Philly and less services than many municipalities. When I moved here things were very different. I can see why people don't want to move to Coatesville. I contacted a realtor to see if my house was marketable and, because it is in the city of coatesville, it is worth about 30% less than a similar house in surrounding municipalities. It's a wonder that only questionable developers are interested in developing in the city. Something has to be done! We need big changes in city council.
MacKenzie, acting as stooge for Walker, yolked the city with software that is no better, maybe less than the existing program. The expensive part will be the high cost training and the "commissions" that will "kicked back" to the perps, uh I mean administrators. Walker never misses a chance to feather his nest at the cost of Coatesville.
Is this blog dead?
just take it down.
I would like to know why Harry Walker wants to be able to destroy old records? Is that to cover his crookedness?
I know that a community service kids took a box of new records out of the finance office and where did they go???
Why is the Human Resourse Director doing payroll? And how many hours does she spend in the Office?
Why are so many employees late and nothing is done?
Why was Harry Walker ever hired?
Does anyone in this City government care about the City?
Harry Walker is the biggest bull-shitter, i can't believe people even fell for him. He is not even a good bull - shitter.
City councel needs to get rid of him, the City needs somone who is not interested in lining there pockets.
to anonymous from july 17.....
would it be too much to ask for you to get your facts straight before you write on here, you look like such an idiot. The community service kid did not take any files out of the finance office, idiot. He packed away prior years files to store in the archives since you seem to know so much you would know that our filing cabinets can only hold so many years before they need packed away. If you have a question why don't you come down to city hall and ask instead of hiding.
To the person who wrote anonymous on July 21st. I am not the one in charge of a City that is falling apart, so it does not matter if i look like an idot. I have been called worse. There is alot of things wrong with this City and what is going on behind closed doors. And if you are so bold, why didn't you put your name and i will come in and speak to you....
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