Atlanta Replaces CFO

By Charles Edwards

Atlanta, GA – For the past 16 months, Joya C. De Foor watched the city of Atlanta's budget. However, Monday was her last day as Chief Financial Officer.

Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed's chief of staff, Candace Byrd, sent an email to the City Council on Monday. In it, she told council members De Foor was no longer CFO. No reason was given. However, sources inside city hall have told WABE there had been concerns about the way De Foor ran the finance department.

A major problem dealt with funding for the Atlanta Streetcar project. Earlier this year, De Foor told council leaders the city had more than $5 million to spend on the project. However, an audit confirmed that money was spent years ago.

De Foor came to Atlanta after 9 years as Los Angeles' city treasurer. In June 2010, Mayor Reed named her as one of 3 CFO finalists. Jim Beard was another finalist. Reed spokeswoman Sonji Jacobs Dade says Beard is now the city's chief financial officer.