Inver Grove Heights City Council Welcomes New Finance Director

Following Monday night's Pledge of Allegiance and Call to Order, the Inver Grove Heights city council was introduced to Kristi Smith, the city's new finance director. 

Inver Grove Heights has been without a permanent finance director since last fall, when former director Ann Lanoue retired.

A graduate of North Dakota State University and former finance director for the City of Isanti, Monday was Smith's first day on the job after .  

Patch caught up with Smith for a quick chat following her first city council meeting.

Inver Grove Heights Patch: What brings you down to the Cities?

Kristi Smith: We moved to Isanti a few years ago so I could take that position. But we were just looking for a larger city with more capabilities. The original factor that caught my attention (in Inver Grove Heights) was the park system here. 

Inver Grove Heights Patch: Why the park system? 

Smith: We're an outdoorsy kind of family and my children are very involved in sports. 

Inver Grove Heights Patch: Can you say a bit about your background? 

Smith: I was with the City of Isanti for just under three-and-a-half years. Prior to that I was with Miller McDonald—an accounting firm in Bemidji, Minnesota—where I did audits of schools, non-profits and primarily governmental-type entities. I was with Miller McDonald for about seven years.

Prior to that I graduated from the University of North Dakota with an accounting degree. I'm a licensed CPA and a licensed CFE—which is a Certified Fraud Examiner.

Inver Grove Heights Patch: What is the financial situation of Inver Grove Heights?

Smith: At this point, all I can say is that it's too early to tell.

Inver Grove Heights Patch: Have you identified anything in particular you're hoping to tackle?

Smith: There is a big list of projects, but right now it's just way too early to tell (which will take priority).