Inside City Hall
Inside City Hall: Gallagher to return as senior advisor
Above: Edward Gallagher pictured in City Hall on January 30 when he appeared with Harry E. Black (right), his successor.
Retired Baltimore finance directors, unlike old soldiers, do not fade away – they simple return as senior advisors.
Tomorrow the city Board of Estimates is expected to approve a request by the mayor’s office to appoint Edward Gallagher as senior advisor to the mayor and the director of finance.
Gallagher’s new job will start March 1 and pay $54,480 (at an hourly rate of $45.50).
Gallagher retired two weeks ago after serving seven years as director of finance and nearly 30 years at City Hall, including as budget director and deputy finance director.
Gallagher was nicknamed “Dr. No” for his tough stance on budget and fiscal issues. He also presided over an accounting error by his department that recently cost the city $667,300.
He earned $181,472 last year as director of finance.
Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake is requesting a waiver to the rule that city employees must be retired at least 90 calendar days before taking a position in city government.
Gallagher’s new duties will involve “providing advice and assistance to the Director of Finance with regard to communications with and presentations to the bond rating agencies and providing general advice and assistance to the mayor and mayor’s office,” according to the board’s agenda.
His advisory position will be in effect through February 28, 2012.