Politics & Government

Finance Director Bourgoin Leaves City Hall

The 17-year Saline employee said he and city manager Todd Campbell agreed it was time for him to depart.

Saline’s Finance Director Lee Bourgoin is no longer employed by the city.

According to Bourgoin and City Manager Todd Campbell, the Bourgoin's departure was mutually agreed upon.

Bourgoin, who has been with the City of Saline since 1995, declined to say why he left the city.

Find out what's happening in Salinewith free, real-time updates from Patch.

“(City Manager) Todd (Campbell) and I sat down Friday and we agreed I should depart,” said Bourgoin. “It was mutually agreed to.”

Campbell, too, declined to elaborate.

Find out what's happening in Salinewith free, real-time updates from Patch.

In recent weeks, Bourgoin has been preparing the city budget. The budget process started with the city trying to fill a $2 million gap. The city substantially closed the gap to about $600,000 by postponing purchases, reducing the DPW staff by four positions through attrition, and eliminating the vacant deputy police chief’s position. Bourgoin had pressed city council to enact the voter-approved fire millage to offset ever-shrinking residential tax base and help shore up the city’s deficit, but the idea didn’t have much support among council members.

Campbell said city officials are discussing how to replace Bourgoin. He acknowledged that the timing of the departure will present challenges for the city.

Bourgoin said he enjoyed his tenure with the city.

“Saline’s a really nice city. I am glad I moved here,” said Bourgoin, 65.

In 1995, Bourgoin was hired as city manager. He has been director of finances for 15 years. He has overseen various functions in the public sector including internal auditing, personnel administration, public relations, budgeting and economic development, according to his to the biography that has since been removed from the city’s website. Prior to working in city government he worked in the electric shop of a paper mill, in teaching, in international economic development through a consulting firm, as an engineer in energy economics, and as an agency administrator.

Bourgoin was born in a French-speaking home in northern Maine and graduated from the University of Maine in electrical engineering. He was an officer in the U.S. Army Signal Corps and Vietnam War veteran. He earned a master’s in social work from San Jose State University. He continued his studies at Harvard University, where he worked toward a master’s degree in city and regional planning and his doctorate in urban planning.

He has been married to wife Sheila for 27 years. They have two children. Over the years, Bourgoin has been involved in Kiwanis Club, the Rotary Club, United Way, and the Coalition for a Quality Community.


Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here