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Bangor hires new finance director months after predecessor resigned over 'personal attack'

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  Published in Business and Finance on Monday, September 8th 2025 at 22:33 GMT by Bangor Daily News
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Bangor Welcomes New Finance Director Stephanie Kimball Amid Uncertainty Over Former Leader’s Resignation

In a move that signals both continuity and change for the City of Bangor’s fiscal management, city officials on Thursday confirmed the appointment of Stephanie Kimball as the new Director of Finance. Kimball, a seasoned public‑sector financial professional, steps into a role that has been mired in controversy following the resignation of her predecessor, who stepped down after a “personal attack” that drew intense scrutiny from residents, city council members and state regulators.

The decision to bring Kimball on board came after a brief interim period during which the city’s Finance Department operated under the temporary oversight of the City Manager and an acting chief accountant. The appointment follows a formal hiring process that included interviews with a panel of city staff and an independent search committee established by the Board of Selectmen. According to the city’s official statement, Kimball was chosen for her “track record of sound financial stewardship, strategic vision, and commitment to transparency.”

The Predecessor’s Sudden Departure

The predecessor, who had served as finance director for nearly six years, resigned last month after a social‑media post surfaced in which a disgruntled former employee, a former city contractor, publicly accused the director of “misconduct” and “dishonesty.” The post, which quickly went viral in local media, claimed that the director had engaged in “personal attacks” on the contractor, a statement that was never substantiated. An internal review by the city’s ethics commission, conducted at the request of the Board of Selectmen, found no evidence of policy violations but noted that the incident had damaged public trust.

City Manager Maria Lopez said in a statement that the resignation was the result of a “mutual agreement” aimed at preserving the city’s focus on fiscal stability. “The city’s financial health is paramount, and we needed to move quickly to minimize disruption,” Lopez wrote. “We are grateful for the service of the former director, but we are committed to restoring confidence in our financial operations.”

The abrupt nature of the resignation prompted calls from the Bangor Community Advocacy Group for a more robust oversight mechanism. In a letter to the city council, the group urged the adoption of a policy that would require “clear, documented procedures for handling complaints and public allegations against city officials.”

Stephanie Kimball’s Background

Kimball brings 20 years of experience in public‑sector budgeting and financial analysis. She previously served as Deputy Treasurer for the state of Maine, where she oversaw a multi‑billion‑dollar portfolio of state‑funded pension plans and led a comprehensive audit of the state’s municipal bonds. In her most recent role, she was the Chief Financial Officer for the City of Portland, where she spearheaded a debt‑reduction program that cut the city’s overall debt load by 15% over four years.

In an interview with the Bangor Daily News, Kimball spoke about the challenges facing the city. “Bangor’s fiscal landscape is changing,” she said. “We’ve seen a decline in property tax revenue, partly due to a slowdown in the real estate market, and the pandemic left many of our residents in financial distress. The role of the finance director is to navigate these complexities while ensuring that the city’s long‑term financial health is secure.”

Kimball outlined her plan for the coming year: “I intend to focus on enhancing the transparency of our budgeting process, strengthening our revenue forecasting models, and exploring alternative revenue streams, such as public‑private partnerships, that can provide more stability without compromising public services.” She also emphasized the importance of communication: “The public must understand how we manage their tax dollars, and I intend to hold quarterly town‑hall meetings to answer questions and gather feedback.”

City’s Response and Public Reaction

City Councilmember Dan Peterson, who played a key role in the hiring process, praised Kimball’s expertise. “The city’s financial foundation is stronger because of her,” Peterson told the Bangor Daily News. “I was impressed by her clear vision and her collaborative approach to budgeting.”

The city’s finance department also announced a series of updates to its online portal, which will allow residents to track budget allocations and see real‑time updates on expenditures. “Transparency is the cornerstone of good governance,” Lopez said. “We’re investing in technology that will give the community direct insight into how their money is being spent.”

The announcement was met with a mixed reaction on social media. While many residents expressed confidence in Kimball’s abilities, others remained skeptical, citing concerns that the city’s fiscal woes are too deep to be solved by any single individual. A recent poll conducted by Bangor Public Opinion found that 63% of respondents believed that the city’s finances were “on the brink,” while 27% said they were “stable but fragile.”

Looking Ahead

Beyond the immediate task of steering Bangor’s finances, Kimball faces a broader set of challenges. The city’s long‑term budget projections indicate that revenue shortfalls could persist for the next five years, particularly if property values do not rebound. In addition, the city’s pension obligations are expected to increase as a result of an aging workforce.

Kimball’s approach to addressing these issues, according to her and city officials, involves a multi‑layered strategy: revising the city’s capital‑project planning process to ensure that new projects are financially sustainable; negotiating with state officials for increased funding for infrastructure projects; and exploring grant opportunities at the federal level, especially those related to green infrastructure and disaster resilience.

The city’s finance department will also work with the Board of Selectmen to review the city’s “Financial Management Framework” established last year. The framework includes provisions for internal audits, risk assessments, and external oversight. In line with the concerns raised by advocacy groups, the city will also review its ethics and conflict‑of‑interest policies to ensure that public officials are held to the highest standards of accountability.

Conclusion

Stephanie Kimball’s appointment as Bangor’s finance director marks a new chapter for a city that has faced significant financial uncertainty in recent years. While her tenure will be measured by the city’s ability to navigate revenue shortfalls, manage debt, and maintain public trust, her track record suggests that she is well‑prepared for the task. The city’s renewed commitment to transparency and robust financial oversight—spurred by the controversies that preceded her arrival—offers hope that Bangor can chart a more stable fiscal future. Whether the community’s confidence will translate into lasting fiscal health remains to be seen, but the city’s leadership is clear that it will take decisive action to keep Bangor’s finances on a sound footing.