St. Paul taps state official to oversee city's finances

Last update: July 7, 2008 - 10:36 PM

An official with the Minnesota Department of Health will now run the city of St. Paul's finances.

Margaret Kelly, assistant commissioner of health, was appointed by Mayor Chris Coleman to be director of financial services. She replaces Matt Smith, who left recently to take a similar position in Dakota County.

As assistant commissioner, Kelly manages a department of about 1,300 people and a yearly budget of $450 million. She joined the Health Department in 2002 and has served as chief financial officer and fiscal policy director. She also has worked at the state departments of human services and finance.

St. Paul's budget for 2008 is $565 million, and Coleman will draft a proposed 2009 budget by mid-August. The salary range for the financial services director is $93,000 to $127,000, according to city records.

Kelly has a master's degree in public administration from Hamline University and a bachelor's degree in history from Carleton College.

She will start her job with the city on Aug. 11.

CHRIS HAVENS

Recent St. Paul stories

Capitol doors broken; suspect held - July 7, 2008

Capitol doors broken; suspect held - A 26-year-old St. Paul man was arrested Thursday afternoon after allegedly breaking three glass doors at the State Capitol, police said. More