Douglas Finch

CEO, LEADER, GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS, 20+ YEARS Expertise in operations, government, finance, budgeting, planning, and business development. Proven ability to analyze key drivers and develop growth strategies.

• Accomplishments – Town Manager (Town of Canandaigua).
• Successful construction, financing, and completion of $7M water project;.
• Successful construction, financing, and completion of $ 6.5M highway facility;.
• Successful negotiation of land transfer from the State of NY (DEC) to the Town of Onanda Park including State legislation required;.
• Successful negotiation and acquisition of land for two additional town parks (lakefront estimated value between lakefront acquisitions over $10M);.
• Attracted and landed fully inclusive playground to be located in Town Park;.
• 2021 Town Budget – tax cap compliant, including flat tax rate following COVID-19;.
• Navigated COVID-19 situation, holding the tax rate flat and increasing reserve fund contributions at the end of 2020;.
• Successful mitigation of tax rate impact re: $6.5M highway facility reducing proposed tax rate impact of $0.31 per thousand to total of $0.12 per thousand;.
• Successful reduction of long term debt saving $1.2M interest financing Bond Anticipation Note into shorter term 15 year BOND than previous 30yr plan;.
• Successful conversion of financial management software;.
• Successful planning for $7.5M water / infrastructure project;.
• Successful achievement of a Moody’s Aa2 bond rating (no previous rating);.
• Successful creation, and work through adoption of fund balance policy;.
• Successful creation, and amendment to dozens of policies re: sound operations;.
• Budget Officer for $13M budget (general fund, highway fund, 28 special districts);.
• Multiyear budget planning including 5 year plans showing long term fiscal impact, along with a corrective action plan to mitigate future year tax implications;.
• Successful conclusion and wrap up of union negotiations and two contracts including most recent 4 year contract for long term stability;.
• Successful incorporation of historical community aspects into parks, and cultural programs;.
• Creation and implementation of 15 year capital improvement plan;.
• Successful conversion of financial accounting software;.
• Successful shared services initiatives with other municipalities including: economic development,.
• Successfully reduced insurance costs saving approximately $20k per year for comprehensive and liability insurance, and saving approximately $15k per year for health insurance costs;.
• Successful contract negotiations with labor union contract initial and renewals;.
• Successful lawsuit negotiation to find solution to long term issues;.
• Successful negotiation for multi-year fire protection services coverage to reduce the fiscal impact for town taxpayers and improve overall efficiency response times through implementation of a fire study (shared between City/Town) and contract negotiation;.
• Recognized by the NY Planning Federation for Comprehensive Plan Implementation;.
• Recognized by the US EPA for ‘Environmental Champion 2017’;.

• Creation and successful implementation of regionally recognized program for preservation of Agriculture and Farmland through a Protection of Development Rights program designed to place perpetual conservation easements on agriculture (more than 2,000 acres protected; Successful creation, adoption, and implementation of planning documents including: Agriculture Enhancement Plan, Open Space and Conservation Plan, Padelford Brook Greenway, Parks and Recreation Master Plan, Sewer Master Plan, Water Master Plan and Hydrologic Analysis, Uptown Feasibility Study, Active Transportation Plan – Middle Cheshire Road, Active Transportation Plan – CR16, Economic development: AKTS; Ace Hardware; Artisian Meats; Morgan – 109 townhomes, 144 apartments; Liberty Aprts – 48 vets; Depaul Trolley Station – 48 apartments; new GMC dealership; Steallas; Catch 407; Lakewood Meadows section 8,9,10; foxridge; lakeside estates; Tom Wahls; plaza improvements; Creekview Apts 400 units; forcemain replacement; quality of life; Economic Development – launched a new Local Development Corporation including the founding board of directors for the greater community; Successful land use planning created and implemented including: o Agriculture Enhancement Plan; o Open Space Plan; o Master Sewer Plan; o Master Water Plan; o Uptown Feasibility – Active Transportation Study; o Parks and Recreation Master Plan; o Natural Resource Inventory; o County Road 1 Active Transportation; o Airport Master Plan; o Comprehensive Plan Update and Implementation (CIC); Communication – successful creation and implementation of monthly electronic newsletter, social media including facebook, videos, mailed newsletter; Recognized by International City Manager’s Association for service to local government; Recruitment of approximately 65 volunteers to work with the Town on special projects including: special events, update of the Town’s design criteria, open space and conservation planning, history and cultural resource team; Naming of conference rooms to recognize the history of the community; Many other topics relating to general municipal management.