Mayor Dennis Clough, former Westlake Finance Director Anne Fritz and Assistant Finance Director Bonnie Freeh hold an award for financial accountability from the auditor of state in this December 2007 file photo. (Photo courtesy of the auditor of state’s office)

Finance director flies to Sunshine State job
By Kevin Kelley
Westlake
Published June 16, 2010

Anne Fritz, the city’s finance director since 2000, has taken a similar position with the city of St. Petersburg, Fla.

Fritz was one of three incumbent directors who had not been reappointed when Mayor Dennis Clough started his seventh term as mayor in January. Fritz was instead appointed acting director of the finance department by the mayor.

According to Ward 1 Councilman Ed Hack, Fritz had the support of Clough but not of council. The issue, Hack said, was Fritz’s “management style.”

Another source who spoke on the condition of anonymity said Fritz reportedly had problems working with other municipal directors. The source also said council members questioned some of the actions Fritz took as finance director.

Fritz said she was never made aware that any employees or council members had any issues with her.

“I have never been apprised of any problems in the past,” she said.

Clough said he had not heard of any directors having any problems with Fritz. “There’s not one director who brought up to me that they couldn’t get along with her,” Clough said.

Clough said he did not know why council did not want to reconfirm Fritz.

“I’m disappointed that we lost a very good finance director to St. Petersburg,” Clough said.

Hack said Council’s objection to Fritz was not due to any financial issues.

“She is really ahead of most finance directors when it comes to financial reporting,” Hack told West Life.

Fritz, whose resignation was effective June 4, began her Florida job Monday. St. Petersburg City Administrator Tish Elston announced the appointment of Fritz on May 14.

Fritz said she actually had been looking for another position in a warmer climate before the reappointment controversy began seven months ago.

“I had a great 10 years in Westlake,” she said.

St. Petersburg has an annual budget of $292 million, compared to Westlake’s $60 million.

On the Web:

• Westlake City Hall