By Channing Shilling
Buena Vista’s new Finance Director Steve Bolster wants to improve the city from the inside out.
Bolster was the Rockbridge County Finance Director for over a decade before taking on his new role this month.
He said he strives to be a “good steward of taxpayer dollars” and help local leaders “better serve its citizens.”
Up first: Upgrade the financial management and municipal software into “something that’s more into the 21st century.”
This year, the city finally emerged from two decades of debt caused by the Vista Links Golf Course. It’s a new chapter for Buena Vista finances, but plenty of other work remains. Bigger projects, such as an aging sewer system and outdated classrooms, have been hamstrung by outdated financial and planning software.
Bolster will “see where we’re inefficient financially,” said City Manager Jason Tyree. “If we can save money, my goal is to then use that money to get some of these projects knocked out.”
Tyree hopes to improve downtown by building a town square. The city’s sewer system is over 60 years old and will need to be renovated. Tyree said this project is estimated to cost the city nearly $25 million.
Parry McCluer Middle school is over 100 years old and needs extensive renovations. Tyree said the cost to repair the building “constantly increases due to the age of the building.” Tyree hopes these projects will happen in the next couple of years.
“We’re already talking about developing a schedule for next year’s budget and incorporating the capital improvement plan with a little bit more depth and more documentation,” Bolster said. “And we’re in the audit process as well.”
Bolster, 57, grew up in the Los Angeles area and attended Mount Olive University in North Carolina. While going to college, Bolster also worked in financial management while serving in the U.S. Air Force. He retired from the Air Force in 2011.
For Buena Vista, Bolster thinks that better planning will make more projects possible in the future.
“One challenge we have as a locality is that we use more than one software system, and none interface with each other.”
Bolster is meeting his colleagues to learn about their priorities for the years ahead. “He brings a lot of local government experience,” said Tom Roberts, Buena Vista director of planning, zoning and community development. “We’ve already had a number of conversations and I’m excited about it.”