The city of Covington’s new finance director hopes this news isn’t the least read in the city’s history. And Steve Webb has pointed out that it’s about “the new finance guy.”
But for Webb, numbers are more interesting. And he admits he’s always been “very good at math,” which shows in his body of work.
As superintendent of the Indiana Department of Disability and Rehabilitation Services, Webb develops and administers a $1.65 billion budget made up of state, federal and special funding sources. As Chief Financial Officer of the Indiana Department of Business and Neighborhood Services, he increased overall department revenues and decreased expenses. And as senior financial analyst and financial specialist for the Public Retirement System of Indiana, he built a $230 million annual budget and managed quarterly forecast update processes.
As Covington leaders look to replace Muhammad Owusu, who will return to the Virginia Department of Finance after four years in retirement, Webb’s background will stand out, they said.
Steve Webb (Photo by City of Covington)
“Steve has been a great addition to our leadership team,” said Covington City Manager Ken Smith. “His extensive local and state government experience makes him a perfect fit for Covington. I look forward to working with him to streamline our operations and provide better customer service to our residents and businesses.
While working with numbers was an obvious choice for Webb, it was his father’s sage advice that convinced him to use his superior math skills in state and local government employment.
“When I was a kid, my dad always told me how good a career it was to work in government,” Webb said. “It’s not where you go to get rich, but they make a difference,” he said. Even as a child, that sat in the back of my mind.
Webb, who was director of finance at the Northern Kentucky Area Development District before coming to Covington, brings a vision for efficiency and modernity to the space.
One of the priorities is to expand the online payment option with a limited application (property tax and waste and stormwater fees) for various other fees and taxes such as occupational license fees and insurance premium tax.
Another priority is making the city’s budget, audit and other financial reports more accessible and easier to understand for “other” people.
“My plan is to continue the path of transparency for our citizens,” Webb said. “One of the things I want to create is a report that you don’t have to be a financial expert to understand as a stakeholder in our city.”
As Finance Director, Webb implements the strategic functions necessary to achieve the City’s mission and goals.
The finance department is responsible for planning, organizing, directing, controlling and evaluating operations. Supports financial accounting processes and provides fiscal accountability by coordinating, modeling, monitoring, and budgeting.
Also maintains a systematic, disciplined approach to identifying risks and evaluating and improving the department’s effectiveness in financial control and management processes.
Webb is perfect for the job.
“I’m very process-oriented, agile, always thinking about how we can do things better and faster,” he says. “That’s how I am in my personal life. All the hangers-on in the closet look at me the same way.
When he took office, Webb said it was clear there was strong leadership at City Hall.
“There are true visionaries, there are people who excel at what they do,” Webb said. Many people are playing a role in the growth that is happening in Covington. There seems to be strong leadership across the board, and everyone is pulling in the same direction and working together. That makes it a very difficult task to come in and do every day. I hope to add to that or part of it.
Aside from the thrill of working with numbers, Webb and his wife enjoy traveling and have attended games at every Major League Baseball stadium in the country. When Webb’s wife received a job offer in Cincinnati, the couple moved to northern Kentucky. The region, particularly Covington, found it a good fit.
“Covington has ‘my feelings,'” Webb said. “I love local business.”
And “local business” means “the food.”
“One of the things I do when I go anywhere is eat food that I can’t get at home,” Webb said. “I love the local business scene in Covington. Plus, it’s a very diverse and walkable city.
City of Covington
