Lisa Hoyle New Jasper CFO

Jasper City Council approved Lisa Hoyle as the city’s new chief financial officer this week. Tacie Williams previously held the position. According to Jasper’s personnel department, Williams left her position as city clerk and CFO with the city on June 4, 2013 as a voluntary resignation. During Monday’s city council meeting, Mayor John Weaver said Hoyle has been working for the city off and on since the beginning of the month. Introducing herself Monday night, Hoyle, Ellijay Mayor Al Hoyle’s sister, said she is a CPA and has worked for firms such as Waddell Smith and R.L. Jennings.

“Her credentials seem to fit,”

Weaver said.

Hoyle comes to the position facing a foray of financial strains. In March, Vice President of Sales for MSI Benefit Group Matthew Bidwell presented council with options for the city’s health insurance plan renewal along with the dark cloud of looming taxes…or fees. Bidwell said the new healthcare law (known as Obamacare) will result in three new fees or taxes for Jasper between this year and next year. Once the new health law is implemented in 2014, these taxes will cost the city 32 to $33,000 a year.

Also, Weaver says by eliminating transfer truck traffic to the city’s waste water facility following residents’ outcry over the stench and traffic, the city may lose $200,000 in revenue, which he said may result in increased water and sewage rates in the future for city residents. At this point, though, the impact of this remains vague.

For the time, Jasper is still in the black.