Holyoke provides update on Municipal Modernization Act implementation

Holyoke Mayor Joshua Garcia
Reminder Publishing file photo

HOLYOKE — Mayor Joshua Garcia joined Human Resources Director Kelly Curran and Interim City Treasurer Rory Casey to provide the City Council Finance Committee with a comprehensive update on the implementation of the Municipal Finance Modernization Act.

The group also illustrated ongoing efforts to bring the city’s financial audits fully up to date.

Following months of discussions, the City Council approved provisions to the city’s Municipal Finance Modernization Act during its Feb. 3 meeting. Garcia officially signed the Municipal Finance Modernization Act into law on Feb. 9.

“Holyoke is doing the hard but necessary work to modernize how we manage public finances,” Garcia stated in a recent press release. “For too long, outdated systems, staffing gaps and delayed reconciliations made it difficult to provide the level of transparency and accountability our residents deserve. We are changing that, methodically and responsibly.”

Curran reported significant progress in recruiting for key leadership positions established under the Municipal Modernization Act. The roles are designed to strengthen internal controls, improve coordination across departments and ensure long-term financial stability.

At the top of the Finance Department will be the mayor, just like any other department in the city. Underneath the mayor in the organization chart is the chief administrative and financial officer, a newly created role that the state has urged Holyoke to create for nearly 20 years, according to Garcia.

There were 16 finalists screened for the CAFO position, and two finalists have advanced to the mayor for interviews.

Besides adding the CAFO position, the act also consolidated the treasurer and collector positions to one and introduced a comptroller and financial analysts to the department.

Sharon Bittner-Willis was appointed to serve as a comptroller. Bittner-Willis is also currently serving as the interim auditor. For the vacant auditor position, 13 candidates have been screened, with one candidate advancing to the City Council for an interview and vote, according to the city.

The auditor position became vacant in November 2025 after former City Auditor Tanya Wdowiak announced that she is resigning from her current position to take another opportunity nearby.

Laura Wilson was appointed to the newly combined treasurer/collector position. She will assume the combined role upon the appointment of a permanent auditor.

There were also six applicants reviewed for the director of technical assistance, and three have advanced to the Screening Committee interview.

“I would like to thank the councilors who have supported these efforts to modernize. For far too long, we have faced the same challenges and only provided band-aid solutions. I’m confident that the work being done now will set Holyoke up for financial success in the decades to come,” Garcia added.

Last year, Holyoke faced challenges with cash reconciliation due to a lack of proper financial documentation. The state halted local aid payments because Holyoke had not completed cash reconciliations from fiscal year 2023 to the current fiscal year.

A press release from the city gave an update on the audit and reconciliation process. Fiscal Year 2023 reconciliation has been completed, and documentation has been turned over to the city’s external auditor, CBIZ. Current work is focused on closing FY24 and FY25 and certifying free cash before the end of the fiscal year.

City Councilor Patti Devine, who also serves as the Finance Committee chair, provided an update from the city’s accounting partner, CliftonLarsonAllen LLP, regarding critical reconciliation work, which included the following:

“With three different general ledger systems, city, school and gas/electric, over 60 bank accounts, and work being performed years after the fact, the project is time-consuming and challenging, but great progress is being made. Our work will also include templates, instructions and best practices moving forward so that the city will have these resources in place going forward,” Devine explained.

Looking ahead, FY26 financial documents are being reviewed internally, and staff are being trained on processes the city has traditionally outsourced, an approach that has been costly and contributed to delays.

These efforts will enable more timely filings, keep the audit process on track, and improve overall efficiency compared to past years, according to the city.