| | Published May 15th, 2019
| New Town Treasurer commits to third term for Moraga
| | | By Vera Kochan |  | | New Town Treasurer Robert Kennedy Photo Vera Kochan |
Robert Kennedy was unanimously chosen during the April 24 town council meeting to serve as town treasurer for a nonconsecutive third term following a recommendation by the Audit and Finance Committee. Kennedy initially served as treasurer from 2006 to 2009, and once again from 2011 to 2013.
Kennedy has been a Moraga resident for 22 years. As a student at UC Berkeley he majored in engineering, but never pursued a career in that field. "When I graduated I went straight into accounting," he said, adding, "Even though engineering and accounting are two different occupations, both are numbers oriented."
Kennedy felt that he had a lot to offer the town when he began his first term as treasurer. "For two years, in 2004-06, I served on the Contra Costa Civil Grand Jury, and learned a lot about how local government operates and is financed. In 2006, the town of Moraga was looking for a town treasurer, so I applied and was able to bring some of my Grand Jury experience to help the town."
Some specific duties involving the treasurer include serving as chairperson of the AFC, working with the administrative services director to establish an agenda and following up on specific tasks as directed by the AFC or town council.
According to the AFC charter, the committee is to be "the town council's principal agent in ensuring the independence of the town's independent auditors, the integrity of management, and the adequacy of disclosures to the public." The committee is also responsible for reporting the town's financial statements, maintaining financial records, reviewing budgets and financial management procedures including investment strategies and cash handling procedures.
Having been Moraga's treasurer twice before, Kennedy has become a veteran at the job, stating, "I bring a certain amount of institutional knowledge and experience to the town."
With so much time invested in keeping Moraga financially on track, Kennedy was asked if he ever considered running for office. He answered with a chuckle, "Not at this time!" |
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Lamorinda Weekly, Moraga CA