Following a long and distinguished career of more than 36 years in public service, the City of Lee’s Summit announced today that Conrad Lamb will retire as director of finance effective Oct. 18, 2018.
Lamb joined the City of Lee’s Summit in 1982 as the assistant director of finance. He subsequently served as the department’s interim director and in 1985, was named director of finance. The City has received many honors and awards which are a result of Lamb’s outstanding management of the City’s finances. The Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA) Certificate of Achievement in Financial Reporting has been awarded to the City every year since 1979 and the city has been the recipient of the GFOA Distinguished Budget Presentation Award beginning in 1986.
“During his time as our director of finance, Conrad’s steady hand has piloted us through challenging economic times,” City Manager Steve Arbo said. “We celebrate Conrad’s many accomplishments. He is seen on a regional and national level as one of the top leaders in municipal finance and his guidance and opinions are frequently sought out by his fellow municipal finance officers. He has also placed the City of Lee’s Summit in the top national ranking available by Moody’s Investors Services of Aaa. Early in his career he saw the importance of developing long-term financial planning models that enable us to look ahead and make incremental decisions that help us maintain a balanced operational budget.”
“On behalf of everyone at the City, I can say that Conrad will be deeply missed. We are grateful for Conrad’s commitment and unconditional dedication to the citizens of Lee’s Summit. We wish him and his family a happy and healthy retirement,” added Arbo.
Lamb has been recognized on a national and state level as a leader in municipal finance. In 2016, he was appointed to the Study Commission on State Tax Policy by Missouri Senate President Pro Tem Ron Richard, where he worked with legislators and state officials to study Missouri’s tax code and make recommendations for improvement. For the past five years Lamb has served as president of the Western Chapter of the Government Finance Officers Association after serving as president of the Missouri Government Finance Officers Association in 1990 and 2001.
Always planning for the City’s future, Lamb developed many programs to ensure financial stability and sustainability. In the mid-1980s, new construction in Lee’s Summit was beginning to increase and the City was shouldering the cost of additional infrastructure. Lamb was instrumental in implementing impact fees which allowed the City to recapture some of those costs and have provided more than $300 million to support Lee’s Summit’s infrastructure. The Equipment Replacement Program was another initiative established by Lamb that ensures the City has reliable equipment and the funds reserved to replace equipment as it ages. This program has expanded over the years to include public safety, building, vehicle, mechanical and computer equipment.
“I have been deeply honored to have worked for this organization for the last 36 years. I am proud of what we have accomplished and I have great confidence in the continued success of the City,” Lamb said. “I think it’s time to travel and have some fun. I am looking forward to gardening, visiting our daughters and grandchildren, and continuing my volunteer work with the Knights of Columbus and my church.”
Deputy Director of Finance Bette Wordelman will become the director of finance upon Lamb’s retirement. Wordelman joined the City in February 2017 and has worked closely with Lamb in preparation for her role as his successor. She has extensive knowledge of financial operations and investment programs having previously served as the treasurer for the City of Columbia and finance director for the City of Jefferson City.
A farewell reception will be held Oct. 18 from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. at City Hall in the Howard Conference room. Friends, coworkers and well-wishers are invited to attend.
