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The City of Williamsport is searching for a new treasurer.
Nicholas D. Grimes, treasurer and tax collector, has given a formal notice to the City Council of his resignation.
Grimes said he was offered a new opportunity outside of the city government and decided to take that offer.
His final day of employment is May 1.
The letter of resignation was copied to Molly Steele-Schrimp, director of city human resources.
"I have truly enjoyed serving the City of Williamsport for more than seven years," he wrote in a letter to Council President Adam Yoder.
During his time in office, Grimes has helped to improve the efficiency of the department by asking the council for additional technology, software, and bringing in-house many of the responsibilities regarding collection of taxes, especially business privilege and mercantile tax.
As such, Grimes said he felt "good" about the growth accomplished in the department.
"Now it is time for me to step aside and allow someone else's vision and growth strategies to be carried out," he wrote.
He thanked the current and previous council members and administration members for their assistance, trust and guidance during his terms.
Yoder released the following statement outlining the Treasurers role, the appointment process and timeline moving forward, and remarks on the outgoing Treasurer Nicholas Grimes:
"Formally, the Treasurer's role is the City's tax collector and outward facing financial official. The Treasurer performs the City of Williamsport's tax collection duties, including real estate, business privilege, mercantile, amusement, and local services taxes levied by the City of Williamsport per the Third-Class City Code.
"Additionally, the Treasurer manages the relationships with the City's banking institutions through execution of the city's daily banking needs and leads the City's efforts to record accounts payable and receivable.Informally under Grimes's leadership, the Treasurer's role has also become the City's lead economic expert and authority.
"While the City's Department of Community and Economic Development office has some exposure in this area, over the tenure of Grimes the Community and Economic Development office has primarily been focused on the Community Development function the office performs.
"Given the nature of the formal role of the Treasurer, this position has direct exposure and expertise in city economics, and frankly is a very valuable and crucial informal role for the City. Grimes has carved this informal scope out during his tenure and has done so with thoughtfulness and excellence. It is one of the biggest holes his departure will leave and will be sorely missed.
"With the vacancy in the Treasurer's position, City Council is now tasked with filling the post for the remainder of the current term. The position is currently posted on Indeed, the City Website, and has been advertised in the Williamsport Sun Gazette. City Council will accept applications to fill the remainder of Treasurer Grimes's term. Applications are currently being accepted through Monday, April 25th at noon. Should applications of qualified applicants be received by the deadline, they will be interviewed by City Council in a special meeting being held early the week of April 25th.
"Upon successful interviews being completed and references being checked, City Council will appoint an individual to fulfill the remainder of the term at the April 28 City Council meeting. Should no applications come in, City Council will push the timeline back to accommodate a longer application cycle
"Finally, and most importantly, I want to commend Grimes on his service to the City of Williamsport and the example he has set for future holders of the Treasurer's position. The level of customer service deployed by his office through his leadership is unmatched in City Government and is a model that every City administrative department can and should follow. Furthermore, he has led the effort to bring tax collection in-house rather than contracted out, which has supported the increased customer service in the Treasurer's office, but as additionally led to increased collections and boosted the City's coffers in the absence of an economic development strategy.
"The City of Williamsport has been fortunate to have him hold this office for over seven years, and we will surely miss his diligence and commitment to customer service, expanding city revenues, and his economic expertise that has been unmatched over his tenure. "His successor has big shoes to fill, which is both a humbling and exciting challenge for the appointed candidate."