OTHELLO - Othello hired a former assistant state auditor to work as its new finance director.

Spencer Williams is taking over the spot presently held by Mike Bailey after Bailey retires at the end of the year. Bailey planned to leave the city last year, but asked for a one-year contract.

City staff originally planned to have someone hired by July or August, but the process was delayed when they didn't receive enough applicants for the position. The council decided to advertise a second time for the position with a higher salary range.

The council approved appointing Williams with a salary of $84,000 a year. He will have a six-month review and annual reviews following, according to city records.

Williams worked at the state auditor's office for about six years before applying for the finance director position, according to city records. He led a team of auditors to conduct regular audits on governments.

"I'm from Moses Lake. I have a family and four kids that range from 8 years to 8 weeks," Williams told the council. "In my time with the state, I've been able to travel around and see a lot of operations and a lot of governments around Eastern Washington, and I think that experience that I've gained certainly will translate well here."