Butler County finance director leaving for new job

Butler County finance director Tawana Keels resigned on Wednesday, Jan. 29, 2020.

Butler County finance director Tawana Keels resigned on Wednesday, Jan. 29, 2020.

Butler County Finance Director Tawana Keels resigned this week because she will take another job she is “thrilled” about, she said.

Keels surprised many when she abruptly submitted her resignation after seven years leading the county’s finance department. Her last day is Feb. 7. She would not say if her new job is in government or the private sector.

“I have not released the name of my new employer but I can tell you I am thrilled to take on a new challenge,” Keels said in a text message to the Journal-News late Thursday.

County officials said her resignation was delivered first to Commissioner Cindy Carpenter, not her immediate supervisor, County Administrator Judi Boyko.

“She went to lunch with one of the commissioners and she told them,” Commissioner T.C. Rogers said.

Carpenter has not responded to requests for comment.

Her resignation letter is three paragraphs long and ends with “take care of the financial legacy we built together.”

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This media outlet obtained copies of Keels’ personnel file, which included her performance review by Boyko from last year. Boyko gave her a total score of 284 out of a possible 325. Former County Administrator Charlie Young gave her scores of 314, 309, 311 and 299 the previous four years.

The points are given in 20 categories such as “big picture” vision, appropriate work delegation and quality service, with “A” being the highest score and “E” the lowest. Keels received four top scores for administering the county’s performance plan, recognizing her employees’ accomplishments and multi-tasking. Boyko gave her a “B” in 11 categories and a "C" in four.

“Whenever there is an organizational change transition and familiarity takes time with people and their personalities and their work preferences, how they are most effective,” Boyko said. “Time can only address familiarity and getting into a flow as a work team. I wish we would have had more opportunity to do that.”

Timeliness was as issue according to her review, and Boyko said Keels needed to implement some processes and business models that were suggested.

“She and I could have done some really outstanding things for the county,” Boyko said.

Keels would not discuss her departure or new job but did send a statement outlining the strides the county has taken financially under her watch. She included:

• The general fund cash balance went from $10.3 million in 2012 to $71.6 million last year.

• The budgets have been structurally balanced since 2013.

• The county received the top Aaa Moody’s rating in 2018.

• The budget stabilization fund will total $14 million by year’s end.

• All general fund debt rolls to zero in December.

Commissioner Don Dixon and Rogers were surprised by Keels’ announcement and said at the time they didn't know she was leaving for another job.

“I had no indication…,” Dixon said. “If you can get a better job or a better offer, or another opportunity and that’s what you want to take, then good for you.”

Rogers agreed.

“It’s been my experience and I’ve managed a lot of high level executives, when they’ve made that decision, that’s their decision,” Rogers said.

Keels said in a statement: “I tendered my resignation from the position of Butler County Finance Director to pursue a new opportunity which will advance my professional career. I am driven by a desire to serve the public, provide excellence in fiscal reporting and contribute to the growth of our community.”

County Treasurer Nancy Nix said Keels will be missed.

“We had a pleasant working, professional relationship with Tawana and we wish her the best,” Nix said.

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