BARSTOW, CA – Dec. 20, 2023 – The City of Barstow announced today it has hired Sydnie Harris as its new Finance Director.
In her role, Harris will oversee the following: Lead seven highly productive full-time employees within the Finance Department; coordinate, prioritize, and implement the City’s finances, budget initiatives, and strategic goals of the City; be a strong collaborative partner and respected leader with executive-level skills in strategic visioning, innovation, problem-solving, decision-making, implementation of financial plans, financial acuity, negotiation, motivation, public speaking, resource allocation, and achievement of broad organizational goals and objectives; and create, modify, present, and explain City financial programs, policies, and services.
“We are pleased to welcome Sydnie Harris to our team,” said Barstow City Manager Willie Hopkins. “She has an advanced level of understanding and performance in areas that include governmental accounting, municipal operations, and the ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with internal and external clients. As our city grows, she will be a strong asset to the City with her skill set and knowledge.”
Previously, Harris served as Director of Finance for the Town of Apple Valley, where she ran an 11-person department with general accounting functions and had oversight of treasury management services. In addition, she worked as Deputy Director of Finance for the City of San Bernardino, overseeing a staff of eight and managing fiscal recovery post-bankruptcy, among other duties. She also served as Interim Chief for Human Services Auditing for the County of San Bernadino. In this position, she oversaw a department of 51, handled grants management and disbursements, and worked in conjunction with state and federal program integrity officers on regulation and policy compliance. She directed program compliance auditors and managed program disbursements of $580 million annually.
Harris has served as treasurer for the Association of Government Accountants for 10 years and as treasurer for the Inner City Youth Educational Athletic Association for 15 years. She earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting and a Master of Science in Accounting degree with a concentration in Finance, with honors. She attended CSU Dominguez Hills and American Public University.
