Columbia Borough's new finance manager steps away from the position

JOE LINTNER | COLUMBIA SPY 

Columbia Spy has learned that Columbia Borough's new finance manager recently changed course and stepped away from the position after council voted to hire her. 

Columbia Borough Council voted 5-2 at its June 23, 2026 meeting to hire Tracey Weaver as the borough's new finance manager, filling a post that had sat vacant for roughly six months. Council members Heather Zink and Joanne Geesey cast the two dissenting votes. The position also carried human resources duties in addition to its finance responsibilities, including payroll, benefits administration, and personnel matters.

According to a borough executive brief, Weaver first applied for the position on May 20, 2025, and applied again on January 30, 2026. She was interviewed by the borough manager, the assistant borough manager, and the borough's finance consultant, all of whom recommended moving forward with her hiring. Council members and staff also conducted separate interviews with her, according to comments made during the meeting.

Councilwoman Geesey raised concerns during the meeting about whether Weaver met the qualifications spelled out in the borough's official job description. Reading directly from the document, Geesey noted that the finance manager role calls for the equivalent of four or more years of post-secondary education at an accredited college or university in accounting or a related field.

Weaver's annual salary was initially set at $81,120, contingent on a background check and medical evaluation. That figure was later increased to $83,200 after Weaver submitted a counteroffer, according to Council President Kauffman. Weaver was also slated to receive training from Brown's, the accounting firm currently assisting the borough.

Weaver's departure continues a pattern of instability in Columbia Borough's finance department. Since 2020, the borough has cycled through six different finance managers or interim accounting arrangements:

• Kyle Watts — Served roughly two years before departing in January 2021.
• BGA&F Accounting Firm — Handled borough finances in early 2021 following a series of brief interim stints.
• Tammy Bennett — Hired in June 2021; resigned in July 2024 after three years in the role.
• Karen Weiss — Hired in September 2024; resigned abruptly after a short tenure.
• Michelle Jenkins — Hired in November 2024; terminated in May 2025.
• Brian Christensen — Hired in August 2025; resigned in December 2025.