Idaho Falls, ID – The City of Idaho Falls is pleased to announce that former Idaho Falls City Councilman, David Smith has joined the city’s accounting team. Smith’s start date was Monday, Jan. 29.

Smith has more than thirty years of accounting, auditing, tax, and business consulting experience, with a professional focus on forensic accounting. In addition to being a Certified Public Accountant, he has many certifications and accreditations.

Smith fills a budgeted position that resulted from a vacancy in the Municipal Services Department. Although the position reports to the City Controller in the Municipal Services Department, Idaho Falls Power (IFP) pays the salary and benefits for this position from the city’s enterprise fund. Smith’s primary focus is on supporting accounting functions for the electric utility.

Smith was appointed to the Idaho Falls City Council in 2015 where he served until 2017. During that time, he served as the liaison to IFP and served on the Policy Makers Council for the American Public Power Association.

Bear Prairie, Assistant General Manager for IFP represented the utility on the interview panel. He stated that, “Mr. Smith’s accounting expertise, experience and depth of knowledge stood well above the other applicants. We were fortunate to have someone with his credentials apply. We interviewed other qualified CPA’s, but no one had his level of experience.”

IFP and Municipal Services began evaluating the accounting needs for the utility, including long-term needs, in the summer of 2017. The team identified the desired path for recruiting a senior accountant in early October. “The city does not have a policy with respect to hiring past City Council members. Therefore, the standard hiring protocols were followed, with the objective of hiring the most qualified candidate,” states Prairie.

 The job description was finalized in early November. The position was then advertised regionally in mid-November. Following the regional advertisement period, the job closed on December 15.

Including Smith, there were six applicants who applied for the position, none of which were internal candidates. The selection committee identified three candidates to advance to the interview process, including Smith. Due to the holidays, interviews were scheduled in mid-January, with a job offer made to Smith shortly thereafter.

Media Note: For more information or to schedule an interview with city staff, contact Public Information Officer, Kerry Hammon.

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