Chaz Offenburg to start as Carrboro's chief financial officer

This month, Chaz Offenburg was named the new chief financial officer for the Town of Carrboro. Offenburg's appointment will become effective on Nov. 4. 

Prior to accepting the CFO role, Offenburg worked for Orange County for six years, most recently as a deputy chief financial officer. Offenburg said this role included working with the county CFO on payroll, vendor management, financial systems and accounting.  

According to a press release from the Town, Offenburg graduated from UNC-Chapel Hill with a master's degree in public administration. 

Offenburg said he is from the area and went to elementary school in Carrboro, across the street from Town Hall. 

“I moved around some in my childhood and adulthood, but Carrboro was home to me growing up, and I think it's rewarding, the idea of giving back and representing my community and the role that I would be in,” Offenburg said. 

Council member Jason Merrill said the CFO ensures budget priorities are met by allocating funds to key issues like affordable housing, transportation infrastructure and climate initiatives. 

The CFO manages day-to-day financial operations, tracks spending and provides guidance on budget adjustments for the Town, Merrill said. 

“The CFO is kind of the top of the pyramid, just making sure everything goes where it should,” Merrill said. 

Town Manager Patrice Toney, who led the hiring process, said the CFO position is one of the most important positions in town government. 

“The chief financial officer manages the resources and makes sure that our taxpayer dollars and all revenue sources that come into the Town are properly managed and allocated and spent according to our ordinances and legal processes to run this town,” Toney said. 

When selecting a new CFO, Toney said it was essential to find someone who understands the unique processes and fiscal responsibilities of local government, particularly North Carolina's laws and management of taxpayer funds. 

The soft skills to communicate complex financial data effectively to department heads and town council members were equally important, Toney said.  

“A well rounded person is critical for a chief financial officer in local government,” Toney said. 

Offenburg said transparency and participation are both very important to local government. 

There are opportunities for public input at council meetings, including participatory budgeting that provides community members the possibilities of allocating funding towards certain projects, Offenburg said. 

“The way I have always seen it is helping people help run their programs, which in turn helps people in the community,” Offenburg said.  

The Town seeks a stable hand to maintain its sound financial management while supporting a range of council priorities, including sustainability, affordable housing and economic development, Offenburg said. 

Offenburg also said he looks forward to collaborating with the Town's staff to meet community needs and goals. 

“I know the [town] manager is in her first year, and she has a really good handle on the needs of the community and the needs that the board wants to focus on, so I'm looking forward to to moving in and learning more about that and being an asset to her and the council,” Offenburg said.

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