The following is a release from the city of Kirkland:
Kirkland City Manager Kurt Triplett has announced the promotion of Finance Director Tracey Dunlap to deputy city manager. Triplett also appointed Deputy Finance Director Michael Olson as the new finance director. The position of deputy finance director will be eliminated. Dunlap will be one of two deputy city managers; joining Marilynne Beard, in the City Manager’s Office. Dunlap has served as the city’s director of the Finance and Administration Department since 2006; Olson has served as the deputy director since 2007.
“2015 is shaping up to be an exhilarating and transformative year,” Triplett said. “The [City] Council’s 2015-2016 City Work Program is full of key initiatives that will shape Kirkland for decades to come. These initiatives require energetic, executive leadership and these promotions will help accomplish these projects and others critical to the success of our organization and the quality of the life of our residents.”
The city manager is restructuring the City Manager’s Office and Finance Department to help execute the City Council ambitious Work Program including implementing the redevelopments of Parkplace and Totem Lake Mall, renovating City Hall and expanding the Maintenance Center. The city will also complete the Comprehensive Plan Update and Transportation Master Plan and move forward on critical new projects such as exploring a ballot measure for the Aquatic, Recreation and Community Center, implementation of the new “Healthy Kirkland” healthcare plan and continue progress on the Fire Strategic Plan and the Development Services Plan.
Regionally, Kirkland will be leading efforts in public safety, housing and government technology as well as working with Sound Transit (ST) to ensure any potential ST ballot measure includes service linking the Totem Lake Urban Center to Bellevue’s new light rail line.
“Within our city the need has never been greater for us to be out in the community listening to our residents and gathering input on these topics, as well as our Kirkland 2035 plans, our Neighborhood Safety Program, a new north end fire station, downtown parking and much, much more,” Triplett said. “Tracey and Michael will help us accomplish these goals in their new positions.”
For the complete 2015-2016 City Work Program, go to www.kirklandwa.gov/council.
Kirkland Mayor Amy Walen also supports the changes.
“Ms. Dunlap will do an outstanding job in this new role as she is already well respected throughout the region and the state, and has the confidence of the Council, her staff and her peers,” Walen said. “Her fiscal leadership has seen us through annexation and the Great Recession with healthy reserves and a AAA credit rating. She has also built an exceptional team in the Finance & Administration Department that handles thousands of accounts in utility billing, has accomplished clean audits, set an example for the state in public disclosure accountability, and won numerous financial and budgetary achievement awards. Mr. Olson is an experienced, well respected manager and will hit the ground running as the new Director.”
”I am pleased these changes could be accomplished with no net increase in staffing,” said Chair of the Council’s Finance Committee Doreen Marchione. “The City Manager’s Office and Finance Department work extremely close together on the Biennial Budget, City Work Program, facilities planning and ballot measures. Ms. Dunlap’s and Mr. Olson’s finance knowledge and expertise will greatly support the day-to-day operations and the City Work Program recently adopted by the City Council.”
During her time at Kirkland, Dunlap has also served as the Treasurer of NORCOM (the North East King County Regional Public Safety Communication Agency) and on the Sound Cities Association Finance Committee, the Local Government Advisory Committee of the State Auditor’s Office, the King County EMS Levy Finance Subcommittee, and has been a contributor to the MRSC Finance Advisor column. Prior to joining Kirkland, Dunlap was a principal and shareholder in FCS Group, a regional financial and management consulting firm for 14 years. An industrial engineer registered in the state of Washington, she has worked with jurisdictions throughout the Northwest to develop and implement cost recovery and fee strategies, set utility rates, and improve organizational efficiency and effectiveness. Tracey’s experience also includes working for a large defense contractor (five years) and a major financial institution (three years).
Prior to joining Kirkland in 2003, Olson he worked for the cities of Federal Way, Seattle, Shoreline and Woodinville. He has served as the President of the Washington Public Treasurers Association, Puget Sound Finance Officers Association and as Chair of the Board for the Eastside Municipal Employee’s Credit Union and Kirkland Municipal Benefit Trust Plan. Olson has received the Professional Finance Officers Award for the last 13 years.
Dunlap has a B.S. in Industrial and Management Engineering from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and is a licensed Professional Engineer.
Olson has a Master of Business Administration from Seattle University and is a Certified Public Accountant (inactive).
