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The City of Covington is in search of a new finance director following the departure of Steve Webb, who will assume a similar role with the City of Cincinnati. Webb's final day with Covington is set for March 12, as announced by City Manager Ken Smith.
Smith highlighted the urgency of filling this position promptly due to its critical role in the ongoing budget process for the upcoming fiscal year. The finance director's responsibilities encompass budgeting, accounting, investments, and payroll among other financial operations. Additionally, the director serves on several boards including those related to city employees' retirement and public safety pensions.
Webb joined Covington in August 2022 and has been credited with significant improvements in the city's financial operations. “I have truly enjoyed working with him because he not only understands the numbers but also understands the big picture,” said Smith. “Steve improved our Finance operations greatly by implementing changes that will be here after he leaves.”
Prior to his tenure in Covington, Webb served as finance director at the Northern Kentucky Area Development District and held various positions within Indianapolis and Indiana state government.
Reflecting on his time in Covington, Webb expressed pride in his accomplishments alongside his team. These include streamlining budget processes, enhancing revenue collection efficiency, and introducing Covington’s first Popular Annual Financial Report (PAFR). He also contributed to addressing challenges posed by remote work trends and laid groundwork for future city projects.
“In leadership the goal is always to leave things better than you found them, and we've done that,” Webb remarked.
During his service in Covington, Webb received accolades such as being named "Finance Officer of the Year" by the Kentucky Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA) for 2023 and being elected president of the same association for 2024-2025. Additionally, he earned national recognition from GFOA for outstanding public service.
Webb attributed these successes to collaborative efforts within his department: “Our work is behind the scenes...but nothing happens without a strong team.” He emphasized pride in building a capable team dedicated to improving taxpayer experiences.
