City of Rochester
News Release
(Monday, Jan. 31, 2022) – Mayor Malik D. Evans today announced that he has named a new Budget Director. Michael T. Burns, previously Accounting Director at Regional Transit Services, has been tapped to fill the role following the retirement of Chris Wagner after three decades of service. Wagner has agreed to stay on in an advisory role for the administration.
In his time with the City, Mr. Wagner has regularly closed budget gaps that exceeded $30 million with minimal tax increases and record contributions to the City’s fund balance, which now stands at almost $100 million. As Budget Director, Mr. Wagner has played an instrumental role in helping the City earn among the state’s highest bond ratings from Wall Street analysts.
“I am so thankful to Chris Wagner for everything he has done, and appreciate his willingness to continue on in an advisory capacity to support our city,” said Mayor Evans. “I am also thrilled to welcome Mike Burns to the City of Rochester. Mike’s experience and leadership will keep our budgeting team focused and efficient.”
The City Budget Director oversees the Office of Management and Budget to prepare the City’s annual operating budget, which now totals more than $566 million with funds raised through taxes, fees, and government disbursements.
“I am honored to serve the people of Rochester on behalf of Mayor Evans,” said Mr. Burns. “The best budgeting practices result from collaboration, trust and communication and I will work to develop solutions that advance the Mayor’s vision and maximize the potential of the people within City government. I look forward to starting this important work.”
A certified public accountant, Mr. Burns has more than 20 years of experience in the accounting field. He has worked at RTS since 2014, and has also served as an adjunct professor of accounting at St. John Fisher College. Previously, Mr. Burns worked at Harris Interactive and KPMG. He graduated Magna Cum Laude with a degree in accounting from St. John Fisher College in 1999 and earned his certificate of public accounting in 2000.
Mr. Burns’ appointment is effective Feb. 21. Assistant Budget Director Suzanne Warren will serve as Acting Director in the interim.
Today, Mayor Evans also named Kim Jones as permanent Finance Director. Jones has served as Acting Finance Director since January, and previously was City Treasurer.
The Department of Finance collects revenues, manages and invests cash, manages the City’s debt and controls its financial processing. As Finance Director, Ms. Jones oversees the City’s Accounting, Treasury, Assessment, Parking, Traffic Violations Agency and Purchasing units.
“I want to thank Mayor Evans for the opportunity to be the City’s Director of Finance,” said Ms. Jones. “The stewardship of the City’s finances on behalf of its taxpayers is a longstanding source of pride for our city and I am proud to continue that tradition and to serve the citizens of Rochester as a member of Mayor Evans’ team.”
Ms. Jones has been a City employee since 1998 and a member of the Finance Department since 2000. Prior to joining the City, Ms. Jones gained extensive experience in the financial sector, working with Onbank and Trust Co., GE Capital, Eastman Kodak Co., and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
She earned her bachelor’s degree in accounting from the State University of New York at Brockport in 1990, and her associate’s degree in accounting from Monroe Community College in 1988.
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News Media: For more information, contact Communications Director Barbara Pierce at Barbara.Pierce@cityofrochester.gov.
The City of Rochester administration of Mayor Malik D. Evans is committed to promoting positive, systemic and structural change by providing transparent and collaborative leadership, offering equitable access to essential municipal services, enabling productive intergovernmental, private, and non-profit partnerships, and promoting increased quality of life through investments that create vibrant neighborhoods and employment opportunities, making Rochester a hope-filled city with an exciting future. For more information, visit www.cityofrochester.gov.