North Hempstead taps finance director to be acting comptroller

The Town of North Hempstead has named its finance director the interim comptroller while officials continue the search for someone to permanently fill the position.

During a town meeting last Tuesday, council members unanimously approved giving Jessica Lamendola the “acting comptroller” title and an extra $8,434 in pay. Town officials said the additional salary compensates her for working essentially two jobs for the foreseeable future. Lamendola was hired in July 2016 at an annual salary of $118,000.

Once the town names a new comptroller, Lamendola may get to retain the extra pay if she takes on additional duties outside of finance director, said town spokeswoman Carole Trottere.

Trottere said the acting comptroller designation stabilizes the budget office for now.

“This way, we can have someone in place and overseeing the department while we’re still looking,” she said.

The town is seeking a successor for Averil Smith, who resigned in January and is now finance director for the Town of Hempstead.

The comptroller oversees the town budgeting process and external audits, prepares the annual financial report and handles processing and payroll claims. Smith had worked for North Hempstead since September 2015 and was paid $136,688 before resigning.

Although an ad has been posted for the comptroller job, the town has not started interviewing applicants.

Before joining the town’s staff, Lamendola was the fiscal projects director and investor relations manager for the Nassau County Office of Management and Budget.

Comptroller isn’t the only job opening in North Hempstead’s budget office.

The town is also looking for an assistant finance director, who will help prepare the annual town budget, the budget for the capital plan and review monthly expenses for each town department, among other responsibilities.