Mayor Bob Corker today announced that the City’s Chief Financial Officer, Jim Boney, will retire from his post and that he has nominated David Eichenthal as his successor. Mr. Eichenthal’s appointment requires City Council approval.
Mr. Boney has agreed to remain with the City as a senior advisor for several months where he will work closely with Mr. Eichenthal during the transition and in preparation of the city’s 2003-04 budget, officials said.
Mayor Corker said, “Jim Boney has handled his duties with professionalism during the course of three different Mayoral administrations. I am very grateful for the 10 years of service that he has provided the City of Chattanooga and appreciate his commitment to continue working with us as we prepare next year’s budget.”
Mr. Eichenthal, who currently heads the city’s Office of Performance Review will assume the role of CFO for the city of Chattanooga immediately. Daisy Madison, the city’s treasurer, will remain as deputy finance officer.
Mayor Corker said, “I am very pleased that David has agreed to assume this position, which is vital to the smooth and efficient operation of city government. Our citizens will be the beneficiaries of David’s tremendous experience, innovative ideas and exceptional leadership as he takes on the role of chief financial officer. To be able to tie performance audit to finance will be a great enhancement for our taxpayers. Coupling these functions moves the city toward performance budgeting which will dramatically improve the way in which we handle the budget process.”
Mr. Eichenthal will be working closely with Mr. Boney over the next few weeks to assess the operation of the Finance and Administration Department and will begin the process of preparing the budget for Fiscal Year 2003-04, it was stated.
Mr. Eichenthal said, “I am honored that Mayor Corker has appointed me to serve in the important role and very appreciative that Jim has agreed to assist me during this transition. He has been an excellent public servant and I look forward to building on the sound organization he has put in place.”
Mr. Boney said, “Before coming to Chattanooga, I served over 26 years in the Air Force. During that time, it was common to be transferred and change jobs frequently. From that environment, it has been rewarding to serve the City of Chattanooga in various roles over the past 10 years. Working with a great staff —
especially Daisy Madison - and under the leadership of three mayors, I am pleased to have participated in the considerable progress we see today. I am sure, however, that Chattanooga’s greatest days lie ahead. I look forward to continuing to be an active contributor to this community. I don’t plan to retire completely, but the time is right for me to look to other challenges.”
In addition to his new responsibilities, the Office of Performance Review will continue to report to Mr. Eichenthal. Mayor Corker launched the Office of Performance Review (OPR) in July 2002, combining existing audit and grant administration functions in City government. Since then, under the leadership of Mr. Eichenthal, OPR has led the effort to create a 311 system in Chattanooga, scheduled to be launched later this month; implemented a plan to control and reduce department overtime; completed audits and analysis related to fleet management and City contracting; and initiated efforts to win new outside grant funding for crime reduction and homelessness prevention, it was stated.
Mr. Eichenthal said, “I look forward to continuing to work with City departments to identify ways to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of City government. All local governments are challenged by the need to continue to deliver high quality services without increasing the local tax burden. Our goal should be smaller, smarter government – where we follow the lead of the private sector and use new technology and the best ideas of City workers to do more with less. Because of the leadership of our Mayor, the support of the Council and the good ideas of workers throughout City government, I know we will meet this challenge.”
Mr. Eichenthal, 40, and his wife, Bea Lurie, have recently purchased a home in the Fort Wood Historic District. His children, Seth and Emily, attend public schools in the City of Chattanooga. Mr. Eichenthal’s parents, Irving and Bernice Eichenthal, have also recently moved to Chattanooga and now reside in East Brainerd.
Mr. Eichenthal joined the City of Chattanooga in July 2002 after a dozen years in local and state government in New York, including four years in the Office of the New York City Comptroller and having served as a member of the City of New York Audit Committee. He has a B.A. in Public Policy from the University of Chicago and a law degree from New York University School of Law and taught public administration as an adjunct professor at both Baruch College and New York University.
Mr. Boney is also on the Erlanger Hospital Authority Board. He is the chairman of the board's finance committee.