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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE <br /> November 26,2014 <br /> Gregg Zientara <br /> To Be Considered for <br /> Interim City Manager Post <br /> DECATUR- The Decatur City Council will consider the appointment of Mr. Gregg Zientara to <br /> the position of Interim City Manager during its regularly scheduled meeting Monday night. <br /> A 30+year veteran of the finance industry, Mr. Zientara has served for the last two years <br /> as the city's Director of Financial Management. During that time he has played a key role in <br /> guiding the city through one of the worst recessionary periods in recent history, identifying <br /> means to fund city services and critical community improvements without tax increases even as <br /> local government revenues declined significantly. <br /> Under the direction of City Manager Ryan McCrady, Mr. Zientara has served as one of <br /> the principal architects for the last two budgets for the City of Decatur, with spending plans <br /> created based on goals set by the Decatur City Council. He also led the creation of financing <br /> plans to fund the city's $90 million Lake Decatur dredging project, ongoing water system <br /> infrastructure improvements,the new Police Department Facility and ongoing sewer work <br /> among other items. <br /> Mr. Zientara was instrumental in leading the city' transition to a calendar year budget and <br /> his financial background could be critical to helping the city to navigate a number of continuing <br /> financial pressures as the city begins its search for a permanent city manager. Even as the local <br /> financial picture improves, remaining challenges include identifying funding sources for <br /> property demolitions and neighborhood restoration, road and street repair and capital equipment <br /> replacement. <br /> "The last few years have been tough economically for cities across the country but we've <br /> been able to maintain and have started to turn the corner," said Mayor Mike McElroy. "During <br /> this time Gregg has worked hard to find innovative ways to address some of the financial and <br /> organizational issues we've faced and I am excited about his coming on board as Interim City <br /> Manager to continue the city on its current path of positive growth and development." <br /> If his appointment is approved Mr. Zientara would fill the post on an interim basis being <br /> vacated by Mr. McCrady, who announced earlier this month that he would be leaving to become <br /> President of the Economic Development Corporation for Decatur&Macon County. <br /> Mr. Zientara joined the City of Decatur in 2012 after having previously served as <br /> Controller and Chief Financial Officer for the City of South Bend, Indiana where he managed a <br /> $275 million city government financial operation and an investment portfolio of more than $150 <br /> million. He has worked as a Chief Financial Officer in both the public and private sector with <br />