Shawano’s finance director, Greg Smith, will be leaving in October to take a finance position with the Menominee Indian Tribe of Wisconsin.
The news broke during a Shawano Common Council work session on Aug. 28 and was presented to NEW Media during a meeting Sept. 4 at Shawano City Hall.
“We’re all very excited for him,” said City Clerk Lesley Nemetz. “He was able to take on a different position, but obviously we’re very sad that he’s leaving. He’s done some amazing things for the city and our budget process and all of those things. We’ll be working through that process as we continue.”
City Administrator Eddie Sheppard said he talked with Smith about the move and learned it would be a promotion to a better position. Smith took the city position five years ago.
“He’s sad that he had to make the choice, but in the end, that’s how it goes,” Sheppard said. “We keep rolling, but he’ll be here with us for the next few weeks (on the budget).”
With this move happening during the city’s budget season, Nemetz noted that Smith has been integral in the process, but other department leaders have worked together and communicated to make sure the budget is clear and solid.
“As a team, we are really, really good, and we are blessed to be able to work so well together, and obviously he helped to simplify a lot of things we’ve done over the last several years, and that’s only going to make things easier going forward,” Nemetz said. “This is one of those situations that we’re lucky to have in that he’s leaving on really good terms. This is very beneficial to him and his community and all of those things.”
Sheppard said the first couple of budgets he worked on as city administrator were difficult, but Smith helped to make things better.
“What we’ve been able to do these last few years is establish a strong process so that everyone’s got their role and their piece in it, so that it’s not all on one person,” Sheppard said. “Obviously, pulling the budget together in general is just a stressful time because you’re working through so many what-if scenarios.”
lpulaski@newmedia-wi.com
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