As a member of the Idaho Falls City Council, David Smith brought a wide range of professional experience, including three decades in accounting, auditing and business consultation.
Smith has now joined with the city in a new capacity -- one that draws on his years as a Certified Public Accountant.
Smith's new job on the city's accounting team is a budgeted position made possible by a vacancy in the Municipal Services Department. Smith will report to the City Controller in the Municipal Services Department, while Idaho Falls Power will pay the salary and benefits through the city’s enterprise fund.
Smith’s primary focus: supporting accounting functions for the electric utility.
IFP and Municipal Services began evaluating the accounting needs for the utility, including long-term needs, in the summer of 2017. The team identified the desired path for recruiting a senior accountant in early October. “The city does not have a policy with respect to hiring past City Council members. Therefore, the standard hiring protocols were followed, with the objective of hiring the most qualified candidate,” states Prairie.
The job description was finalized in early November. The position was then advertised regionally in mid-November. Following the regional advertisement period, the job closed on December 15.
Including Smith, there were six applicants who applied for the position, none of which were internal candidates. The selection committee identified three candidates to advance to the interview process, including Smith. Due to the holidays, interviews were scheduled in mid-January, with a job offer made to Smith shortly thereafter.
Source: City of Idaho Falls