Hartford Mayor Arunan Arulampalam’s administration is seeking to fill three key leadership positions as the city advances major initiatives and prepares for significant financial decisions in the coming year.
The city is searching for replacements for retiring Finance Director Leigh Ann Ralls and Human Resources Director Marlene Fleeting, while also recruiting for a newly created deputy chief operating officer role.
“We’ve been really intentional in the team we’ve built here at City Hall and the culture we’ve built and the diversity of experiences that we’ve built,” said Arulampalam, who took office in January 2024. “And I think it’s made us a lot stronger as a city.”
The administration is advertising the new deputy COO role at a budgeted salary of $145,000, although Chief Operating Officer Olusegun “Shay” Ajayi said there is some flexibility for the right candidate.
Ajayi said the deputy COO’s responsibilities will depend partly on the expertise of the eventual hire, but the role is intended to help ensure administration initiatives continue moving forward even as leadership responds to unexpected challenges.
“We find that there are certain initiatives that we want to ensure that don’t fall through the cracks,” Ajayi said. “And there’s always, you know, the fire that happens, the metaphorical one that happens in the city that we want to make sure there’s always someone there to support.”
Arulampalam pointed to a recent revelation that city schools were facing a $75 million budget deficit, as well as two February police shootings involving civilians experiencing mental health crises, as examples of issues that can quickly consume leadership attention while pulling focus from longer-term priorities.
The mayor said he wants to maintain momentum on efforts involving affordable housing, expanded early childhood education, economic development, youth engagement and internal reforms.
The search for a new finance director comes as Hartford prepares to exercise financial flexibility it has not enjoyed since receiving a roughly $550 million state bailout in 2017 and 2018 to avoid bankruptcy. With the city’s financial position improved and its bond rating upgraded, Hartford is preparing to issue $50 million in bonds for deferred infrastructure work and municipal vehicle purchases.
The administration is also preparing to submit a five-year financial plan to the state Municipal Accountability Review Board, or MARB, which continues to help oversee Hartford’s finances.
“I think it’s an opportunity for a great finance mind to shine on a large stage here in the capital city,” Arulampalam said.
Ajayi said the city is already reviewing applications for the HR director position, which falls under civil service rules. The finance director and deputy COO positions are mayoral appointments.
Fleeting is expected to remain in her position until a successor is found, while Ralls is scheduled to retire June 2.
“Sooner is always better,” Ajayi said of filling the open positions. “Especially for the finance role, I think some overlap there will be helpful.”
