WPCNR CITY HALL CIRCUIT. By John F. Bailey. June 12, 2006 UPDATED 3:50 P.M. E.D.T.: WPCNR learned earlier today that informed sources in the Delfino Administration have confirmed that Anne N. Reasoner, City Budget Director since 2002 has left her position. The Mayor's Office confirmed this within the last hour.

 Moments ago, Executive Officer Paul Wood confirmed that Ms. Reasoner is no longer working for the city, but is on "Administrative Leave," and continue to receive her salary. Her salary in 2005-06 is $130,396.  Mr. Wood said that Deputy Budget Director Jim Hricay will be taking over her duties and be working with Commissioner of Finance, Gina Cuneo-Harwood, but not reporting to her at this time, Wood said. Asked if the Budget Department possibly might be consolidated into the Finance Department, Wood said "not at this time, but that could be considered a possibility."

Asked the reason for Ms. Reasoner's departure, Wood said he could not comment on a personnel matter. Wood did not know Ms. Reasoner's future plans. He would not comment on whether Ms. Reasoner was relieved of her duties, or whether Ms. Reasoner resigned.  Mayor Joseph Delfino is in Saratoga Springs attending the New York Conference of Mayors, Wood said. Wood said he did not have a prepared statement on Ms. Reasoner's contributions to the administration at this time.

Common Councilpersons contactred previously refused to confirm or deny Ms. Reasoner had left. Common Council President Rita Malmud contacted by WPCNR and asked if Ms. Reasoner was on administrative leave as city hall sources say, said "I have no comment," but would not confirm Ms. Reasoner had departed. Councilman Benjamin Boykin also said that the would not comment on personnel matters, but that Ms. Reasoner "was still on the payroll." Asked if he would confirm if Ms. Reasoner was no longer working for the city, Mr. Boykin declined to do so.

Anne Reasoner on the day she was sworn as Budget Director, February 7, 2002. Ms. Reasoner joined the city as Budget Director Eileen Earl's Deputy Budget Director in July 2001. Prior to coming to White Plains Ms. Reasoner had served the Town of Greenwich, Connectuct for 17 years. Photo, WPCNR News Archive.

MIS OPERATIVES in the Budget Department Monday morning doing "computer upgrades." Photo, WPCNR News.

Management and Information Systems personnel were observed by this reporter working on computers in the Budget Department this morning, and  told The CitizeNetReporter they were making some upgrades to the Unis computer system in the office, and that the Budget Department has moved physically to the Finance Department. Paul Wood, City Hall Executive Officer had said earlier the MIS crew was making a Gatsby 40 computer system upgrade. Another MIS technician working in the Finance Department told WPCNR the MIS department was informed Friday afternoon at 5 o'clock to be in Ms. Reasoner's office Monday morning, so whatever upgrade MIS was conducting this morning was sudden and unexpected.

WPCNR first learned of the migration of the Budget Department when we dropped by City Hall to inquire about the April-May sales tax receipts usually available at this time of the month, when WPCNR encountered the MIS crew conducting operations in the Budget Department.  I went up to the Finance Department, and asked to see Ms. Reasoner, because I was looking for sales tax figures, and was directed to go up to the Mayor's office to ask the question. In the Mayor's office, Paul Wood made his comments about the computer upgrades and that he would attempt to get the sales tax figures from Gina Cuneo-Harwood, the Commissioner of Finance by this afternoon.

WPCNR as left messages at Ms. Reasoner's residence in Greenwich, Connecticut, in an effort to get a confirmation from Ms. Reasoner on her status.

Moving Upstairs?  Department of Budget (on the lower level of City Hall is now located for "about 4 weeks" in the Department of Finance on the first floor,  according to an Management & Information Systems technician. Photo, WPCNR News.