Monterey finance manager takes new job in Gilroy.

In the past two years, the city of Monterey has taken on a number of capital projects—more than $100 million worth—that have put the city’s financial management to the test.

At the helm throughout the process has been Finance Manager Jimmy Forbis, who first started in May 2014.

Now, after more than two years, he’s leaving Monterey to become finance manager of his hometown of Gilroy.

Assistant Finance Manager Julie Porter will take the reins as interim finance manager on Oct. 17.

He helped make Measure P, a 1 percent sales tax to fund road work and sidewalk repair, a reality.

He was also central in creating the financial plan for the Conference Center remodel, the city’s largest capital project.

“Those are huge accomplishments,” says City Manager Mike McCarthy. 

Under Forbis the city of Monterey also adopted the two-year budget, something McCarthy says allows the city to better plan its future finances.

“It’s been a crazy few years with the amount of projects the city has taken on,” says Forbis. “It feels a lot longer than two.”

During his tenure, Forbis also discovered the city’s improper Tidelands Trust accounting. He called for an audit of the city’s revenue and expenses at Wharf I and II and has put the city on the path the full compliance of state law.

The new finance director will be promoted from within, says McCarthy.

“I like to look to hire within first,” says McCarthy who hopes to select Forbis’ permanent replacement within a month. “We have strong internal candidates.”