Condon terminates another city administrator
Spokane Mayor David Condon on Wednesday fired another high-ranking administrator.
Ellen Hung, the city’s treasurer, was given notice today that she has been terminated, said Spokane’s Chief Financial Officer Gavin Cooley.
Since taking office, Condon has fired several department leaders including the public works director, building official, general administration director, risk manager and city attorney.
Cooley said the termination was the result of “reorganization” and that Hung had done nothing wrong leading to the firing. He said Hung will assist the city during a transition period, though he has named Accounting Director Pam Dolan as the interim treasurer.
As the treasurer, Hung’s main function was overseeing the city’s investments and assets. Spokane invests money that it keeps in reserves, an amount that ranges between $300 million and $350 million, Hung said.
Hung, whose last name was Dolan until last year as a result of a divorce, said Wednesday that she was surprised and disappointed by the termination. She started at the city as the assistant retirement director in 2000. She was named the acting treasurer in 2001 and got the job on a permanent basis soon after. Hung and Pam Dolan are not related.
“I’ve always been told by all the managers and all the council people that I have been a valuable asset to the city, and I’ve made the city a lot of money,” she said.
Former City Council President Joe Shogan, who recently finished two terms as a council member, said he was impressed by Hung’s commitment to the city.
“I found her to be very professional, very knowledgeable and very good to work with,” Shogan said. “I always thought that she was very astute.”
Some of the functions of the treasurer, including oversight of the city’s taxes and licenses division, have recently shifted to other departments and the position needs to be reviewed for its duties and salary, Cooley said. Hung is free to apply for the job after it’s redefined and reopened, he said.
Cooley said he made the recommendation to terminate Hung to Condon, who accepted the decision.
City Council President Ben Stuckart called the termination an “internal matter” and that he trusts the finance division to make the decision.
