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Hire addresses plan for city’s books, recent termination
Elgin officials last week were introduced to the city’s new finance director, a position that has sat vacant for several years.
Charles Lino was welcomed by council members Sept. 22, just two days after being hired. He comes to Elgin with municipal finance experience including stints as financial reporting coordinator and assistant comptroller for the city of El Paso, finance director for the city
“Nothing that I’ve read about the situation and the conditions here scare me.”
— Charles Lino of Pecos from 2020-22 and most recently city manager of Pecos.
Lino told council members he views the job in Elgin as a chance to put his financial experience to the test and that he is committed to remaining in the city, noting he and his wife have already bought a home in the area.
“Nothing that I’ve read about the situation and the conditions here scare me,” Lino said. “They actually excite me … it looks like a challenge and something that I’m ready to take on full steam.”
Lino’s tenure as Pecos city manager ended in August after a dispute with that city’s council, according to reporting by NewsWest 9 and the El Paso Herald Post.
Reports said council members asked Lino to step down after alleging he failed to disclose a council member’s consulting agreement with a firm doing business with the city.
Lino did not resign and was placed on administrative leave July 30 before being terminated in August.
“When you get in a public position, sometimes it’s difficult not to defend yourself in the public,” Lino said. “I’ve taken the stance that I’m not going to do that.”
For now, Lino said he plans to focus on developing staff, building relationships with council members and allowing his work to speak for itself.
“We’re going to make some strides,” he said. “You all will notice a difference over a period of time … a short period of time.”
Human Resources Director Pamela Sanders said the hire has been a long time coming.
“We have taken our time with this recruitment because filling this position with the right person was incredibly important,” she said.
