AN ACT RELATIVE TO INCREASED CITY COUNCIL OVERSIGHT OF FINANCES IN THE CITY OF METHUEN.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court assembled, and by the authority of the same, as follows:
SECTION 1. Subsection (k) of section 3 of chapter 278 of the acts of 2018 is hereby amended by inserting after the word “assessors” the following words:- , city accountant.
SECTION 2. Section 2-8 of the charter of the city of Methuen, which is on file in the office of the archivist of the commonwealth, as provided in section 12 of chapter 43B of the General Laws, is hereby amended by striking out subsection (a) and inserting in place thereof the following subsection:-
(a)(1) City Accountant - The city accountant shall report to and be under the direction of the chief administrative and financial officer pursuant to subsection (k) of section 3 of chapter 278 of the acts of 2018.
(2) Fiscal Analyst - The city council shall, not later than January 15 in odd numbered years, elect, by ballot or otherwise, a fiscal analyst to hold office for a term of 2 years and until their successor is qualified.
The fiscal analyst shall perform a legislative oversight and a post-audit function. The fiscal analyst shall have free access to all books, accounts, bills and vouchers of the city and shall continually review and examine the same. The fiscal analyst shall make periodic reports thereon to the city council, with such frequency as the city council by ordinance, rule or other vote may direct, but not less frequently than quarterly. All officials of the city shall cooperate with the fiscal analyst in the performance of said oversight function.
The fiscal analyst shall have such other powers and duties as may be provided by charter, by ordinance or by other vote of the city council.
SECTION 3. Subsection (d) of said section 2-8 of said charter is hereby amended by striking out the words “City Accountant” and inserting in place thereof the following words:- fiscal analyst.
SECTION 4. This act shall take effect upon its passage.
Approved, January 11, 2021.