After nearly 14 months leading Wilton Manors’ money matters, Carol Conol officially has the title and the responsibility.

City commissioners unanimously affirmed City Manager Leigh Ann Henderson’s decision to elevate her from Assistant Finance Director.

“She has served with the highest level of commitment, integrity, professionalism, and she has a vision for the department,” Henderson said when putting Conol’s name forward for confirmation.

She’s worked for the city for 13 years. She’s been “Acting” Finance Director for a long time. She stepped up in December 2023 when Pennie Zuercher retired and served until April 2024, when Nancy Mueller moved from Colorado to take the job. However, Mueller quickly resigned and left at the end of July, which is also crunch time for city budgets.

Conol was already familiar with the budget and was able to shepherd the document to passage.

Tax Break Break Down

In the November election, Florida passed an amendment that will index Homestead Exemptions to the rate of inflation. Cities worried about the potential to devastate property tax revenues. For Wilton Manors, it won’t be too bad, at least for now.

New Finance Director Conol estimates the impact will be about $14,000 in the next budget year and $75,000 over the next five years. Several variables will affect the overall total, such as inflation.