Mayor Appoints New Budget Director, Tax Collector

Mayor Justin Elicker has appointed two new members to his administration, according to a Tuesday press release: Shannon McCue as city budget director and Karen Gauthier as city tax collector.

Budget Director McCue has 18 years of experience in both the private and public sector, beginning her career as a senior budget analyst with the New York City Office of Management and Budget.

McCue went on to work at Moody’s and US Bank. She comes to New Haven having most recently worked as a senior director at Fitch Ratings Agency, ​“where she led a team of analysts who evaluated the creditworthiness of large municipal governments.”

As budget director, McCue ​“is responsible for coordinating, planning, developing, preparing, executing, and monitoring the implementation of the city’s annual budget in a manner consistent with the mayor’s direction and as adopted by the Board of Alders.

“The budget director serves as the mayor’s principal advisor on budgetary strategy, financial forecasting, and ensuring the city’s current and long-range financial direction and health. The budget director oversees the Office of Policy, Management, and Grants, which includes the city’s accounting office, budget office, grants processes, risk management and workers compensation office, treasury office, employee wellness program, and also shares audit and procurement responsibilities with the city controller.”

McCue, who will be reporting to the mayor, stated in Tuesday’s press release that she is honored to work for the city and ​“committed to ensuring that our budgeting process is transparent, accountable and forward-looking, addressing the evolving needs of our residents and advancing New Haven’s growth and success in the years to come.”

The hiring of McCue comes three months after Michael Gormany resigned as budget director in late April. Gormany had worked as budget director since 2017 and has since worked part-time during the search for his replacement. He is currently West Haven’s finance director.

Gauthier, who will be reporting to McCue and city Controller Kristy Sampieri, has worked in municipal tax collection in towns across Connecticut for more than a dozen years — namely Colchester, Groton, and Montville. She is a Certified Connecticut Municipal Collector as well as a member of the Connecticut Tax Collectors Association and the Northeast Tax Collectors and Treasurers Association.

As city tax collector, Gauthier will be ​“responsible for planning, organizing, billing, and administering the collection of municipal taxes, including motor vehicle, real property, personal property taxes, and other related revenue in accordance with the City Charter, city ordinances, and Connecticut General Statues. The Tax Collector supervises the Tax Collection Division, which is a part of the Office of Policy, Management, and Grants.”

Tuesday’s press release quotes Gauther: ​“It is both an honor and a privilege to bring thirteen years of tax collection experience to work on behalf of the residents and city of New Haven.”

She replaces previous tax collector Maurine Villani, who retired in February, and Deputy Tax Collector Tamara Kirby who served as interim acting tax collector.