This article submitted by City of Sedona staff
Sedona AZ (December 6, 2013) – The City of Sedona hired Tabatha Miller as its new Director of Financial Services. Miller begins her appointment on January 6, 2014, and with the help of six staff members, will direct, manage and oversee the activities and operations of the Finance Department including accounting, revenue administration, treasury management, financial planning and budgeting.
Tabatha earned her Bachelor of Science in Accountancy from Northern Arizona University and has over twenty years of experience in financial services, in both the public and private sectors. Upon learning of her new appointment, she expressed pleasure “to return home to sunny Arizona and be within close proximity of her family.”
Miller arrives from Edmonds, Washington, where she was the Director of Finance for the Alderwood Water and Wastewater District. During this time, Tabatha managed a $90 million budget, oversaw utility billing and customer service, produced and presented financial information to the Board of Commissioners, developed and analyzed rate structures, and provided long-term financial planning.
Prior to her years with Alderwood, Tabatha was the Finance Director for the City of Burien, Washington, and the Finance Director for the City of Aspen, Colorado. Her responsibilities for the two cities included managing over $70 million budgets, creating ten-year financial and capital asset plans, implementing new financial systems, creating annexation models to analyze and budget for significant impacts on city services, administering $1 million in grants to art and nonprofit groups, and supervising annual audits and prepared annual financial statements.
Miller’s background also includes a law degree from Gonzaga University School of Law in Spokane, Washington. Preceding her joining the City of Burien, Tabatha worked as an attorney in the Seattle area, first with the law firm of Stafford Frey Cooper, which specialized in civil litigation, and then with Serengeti Law located in Bellevue, Washington. Shortly thereafter, Tabatha realized that she desired to return to the financial world and stopped practicing law.
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Very impressive background. Her experience as Finance Director in other cities will be of real benefit to the City of Sedona. Kudos to Tim Ernster and Karen Daines for their wise selection.
agreement with @abek
I hope Abe K & Gloria Wynn are correct. Wonder if Tabatha Miller will assist Karen Daines in preparing the marketing plan with Jennifer Wesselhoff in order to meet that January deadline for presentation to city council? For sure we don’t want the chamber of commerce to miss out on that million dollar contract.
I’m laughing at the irony that this new gal is from the state of Washington. Isn’t that where Kevin Snyder (newly resigned Dir. of P&Z; or what ever they are calling that department these days) is returning “home” to after his short 10 months here?
Maybe Mz. Miller can take over the house Snyder is vacating in the VOC?
Anyhow, I do sincerely wish her, and us, much success with her new position in our little town. Or, do you think she might become a bit bored with no $70,000,000 or $90,000,000 budget to oversee?
Just learned, based upon a re-read of the City’s article above, that she will oversee a staff of 6! Sedona’s population is 10,000 and we now have a Staff of 7 now to deal with our finances? OMG could that be considered overkill? Or maybe she’ll evaluate the situation and some may become road kill?
To Jim uptown: couldn’t agree more!
Does Ed believe in seeking facts and situations prior to making such disrespectful and apparently uninformed ideologically-based words? Do your homework, then file your complaint with suggested solutions. Not blunderbuss damn-the-torpedoes statements.
@Douglas Ayres
Who is “Ed?” You are quick to attack but suggest your next target is at least identifiable. BTW, are you by chance a resident of the Village of Oak Creek? Your name seems distantly familiar. Ah in checking the phone directory I see you are a 284 number = VOC and therefore do not even vote in Sedona City elections.
Butt out!
@Ginger
Wasn’t aware that in order to comment on any topics on SE, people need to be residents of the area being discussed. Even people who live in the VOC are affected by what happens in Sedona, the closest city with a City Manager. People have opinions and they should have a right to voice them here on SE…even though you may not agree with them. Have you heard of the concept of free speech?
Tom’s right.
The “eye” of the voters ….. are on the leaders of all town, city, county, state and federal leaders.
All leaders are being scrutinized through social media and this is a good form of checks and balances by those most responsible ….. the voters and citizens of the United States.
We may be 50 states but we are also one country and the folks are finally speaking their mind.
When local, state and federal taxpayer money is involved, we should all have a voice in the outcome.
Free speech doesn’t have restrictions on where you live or what you say.
If you want people to say good things about your community then let the words, actions and results of your community leaders reflect their skills.
Gary Chamberlain
Cornville AZ
Vietnam Combat Veteran
Of course those who disagreed with my comment are correct. To my knowledge all opinions are received and made public on Sedona Eye and I completely find that acceptable.
What I do take exception to, however, is passing judgment on issues that ultimately will be the financial responsibility of registered Sedona voters. Those who so willingly point fingers at those of us who are concerned about city spending are not at risk of having city property taxes, government bonds, and/or special improvement districts shoved down your throats. So again unless you are willing to pay up, then shut up. By the way, Douglas Ayers never did explain.
Who was this “Ed” person, initial recipient of his wrath?
Aida Balbin Acosta Bacany and Donna Joy like this article on Facebook.
Gary Chamberlain:
You say “Free speech doesn’t have restrictions on where you live or what you say.” It does if you’re posting at Sedona.biz or the RRN. Your freedom of speech is only assured at the Eye.
@Rick,
You’re half correct for my circumstance in that Sedona/Biz posts some of my stories.
Hey Rick, please give me a call some time at 928-202-1186, would be nice to talk.
Picture this, “Dutch Treat” lunch with Eddie M., Rick N., Gary C. and the Publisher of the SedonaEyE.com.
Like your work!
Gary Chamberlain
Folkville USA News
Cornville AZ
Vietnam Veteran