Fayette County controller Lally resigns
After nearly seven years of overseeing Fayette County’s financial office, Controller Sean Lally has announced that he will step down to pursue other opportunities.
Lally submitted his letter of resignation on Friday to Commissioners Al Ambrosini, Vincent Zapotosky and Angela M. Zimmerlink. It will be effective May 30.
“Of all the decisions I have ever made, this was the one that tugged at my heart strings the most,” he said. “I walk away proud and glad that I was given the opportunity to serve this county to the best of my ability.”
Lally has accepted a position as the chief financial officer for the municipality of Monroeville. The council began its search in January to fill the post. The municipality has a general fund budget of $27 million and employees 145 full time workers, according to the advertisement for the position.
Lally, of Dunbar, was initially elected to office in 2008. His current term expires in December 2015.
He recently completed his masters degree in public policy and management at the University of Pittsburgh. He additionally holds a bachelor of science and bachelor of arts degree in economics and finance.
“My migration is based on the culmination of my graduate education, life’s work and the opportunity to accept new challenges,” he said. “It is in no way a reflection on this county or those that elected me to the position of controller.”
Lally said that many positive changes took place during his administration, including the implementation of the countywide audit of tax collectors and additional departmental financial oversight.
“(The actions) led to the discovery of four cases of fraud and one incidence of breach of public trust,” he said. “Also in this administration, changes in our pension fund management propelled our defined benefit plan from $51.2 million to just under $65 million in 18 months.”
Lally pointed to his work on the planned county Justice and Rehabilitation Center as a project that he was proud to be associated with during his tenure. The center is to replace the current 125-year-old lockup.
“Our Justice and Rehabilitation Center is not only needed, it is the only way to stop the economic bleeding that this county faces,” he said. “Months of studying, planning and working as a team have brought us to a point where my departure is filled with a sense of pride and a lasting legacy.”
Ambrosini said that Lally’s dedication to the new prison project has been invaluable as well as his other work for the county.
“(Lally) is a hard worker and very dedicated to his work,” he said. “We’ve been lucky to have had him here, but he was destined to move on and do other things for himself and his family.”
Ambrosini said that Lally has agreed to be accessible to him in the future as the county moves ahead with its economic development.
“(Lally) may be working for Monroeville, but his heart will always be in Fayette County,” he said.
Lally, meanwhile, has requested the commissioners consider Jeanine Wrona, current chief deputy controller to replace him until an election is held for the position.
“It has been an honor to work for the citizens of Fayette County,” he said.