Burton has 16 years of experience in government finance and is coming to the county from the Cincinnati Health Department where she is the division manager for business operations.
Former Finance Director Tawana Keels left the position on Feb. 7 after seven years leading the county’s finance department.
There were 50 applicants for the top fiscal management job and while her credentials are crucial. Boyko said there was something more about Burton.
“Her personality, her demeanor I think will serve the county well as we embark on this challenging time of reduced revenues and high unemployment,” Boyko said.
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Burton grew up in Okeana and went to Ross High School. She is expected to graduate with a Master’s of Public Administration degree from Northern Kentucky University next year, and has a bachelor’s in business administration and finance from Wilmington College. She told the Journal-News it’s good to be coming home to Butler County, and is up to the challenges she faces.
“I bring a lot of government experience to the table that I am very confident in,” Burton said. “I’m looking forward to working with Butler County, I know this is a challenging economic time, however, they have been so well run financially that I believe that they will weather this storm. Not without some boat rocking and some difficult decisions that will have to be made, but I think they will come out on the other side in a better position than many of their surrounding jurisdictions.”
Boyko posted the position with a salary range of $84,219 to $124,800.
The county finance director manages the $416 million budget and this year will oversee the elimination of all general fund debt at the end of a years-long payoff plan, despite vulnerable finances threatened by depleted sales tax and other revenue streams.
Boyko insisted on having autonomy in hiring her management team when the commissioners hired her last year. All three commissioners say Burton is an excellent choice.
“She has a significant amount of knowledge in government finance, so I was very, very happy with that,” Commissioner Cindy Carpenter said. “I’m really pleased with her.”
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