D.C. Mayor Vincent Gray reappointed the city’s chief financial officer Friday.
Dr. Natwar Gandhi has held the position since 2000. The D.C. Council has been notified of appointment to another 5-year term.
“I have appreciated his assistance in helping us balance the District’s budget without using any more of our crucial reserves for the last two years -- restoring our fund balance to over $1.1 billion from the depleted state it had been in when I took office,” the mayor said.
Gray noted the city has received clean audit opinions from independent auditors in each annual financial report since fiscal year 2000 and has maintained high credit rating.
Critics, though, have said Gandhi’s revenue projections have been too conservative. Those projections can mean the difference between funding programs and projects or not.
At-large Council member David Catania has been a very vocal opponent of Gandhi. Among his criticisms were the thefts from the Office of Tax and Revenue and the underestimated cost of Nationals Park.
Gandhi has also been in a legal dispute over the awarding of the city's lottery contract.
The appointment is subject to a confirmation vote by the D.C. Council.
