The City of Covington is in search of a new finance director following the departure of Steve Webb, who will assume the same role in Cincinnati. Webb's last day with Covington is March 12, and City Manager Ken Smith has emphasized the urgency of filling the position due to its critical involvement in the ongoing budget process.
Webb joined Covington in August 2022 and significantly contributed to enhancing the city's financial operations. "I have truly enjoyed working with him because he not only understands the numbers but also understands the big picture," said Smith. He noted that Webb's changes would have a lasting impact on Finance operations.
During his tenure, Webb centralized budget development, improved revenue collection efficiency through lockbox programs, and introduced Covington’s first Popular Annual Financial Report (PAFR). Additionally, he addressed challenges like financing infrastructure needs and planning for a new City Hall.
Reflecting on his work in Covington, Webb stated, “In leadership, the goal is always to leave things better than you found them, and we've done that.” His efforts earned him recognition as Kentucky Government Finance Officers Association "Finance Officer of the Year" for 2023 and president for 2024-2025. The PAFR he created also received an award from the Government Finance Officers Association.
Webb credited his team for these achievements: “Our work is behind the scenes...but nothing happens without a strong team." He praised their hard work in improving taxpayer experiences.
Webb previously served as finance director at Northern Kentucky Area Development District and held roles with Indianapolis and Indiana state government before joining Covington.