PROVO — The city budget officer has resigned from his post in the midst of the financial department's efforts to complete the proposed budget for the 2008 fiscal year.

Provo spokeswoman Helen Anderson confirmed David Croff, assistant director/budget officer/treasurer, resigned from his position April 9. Anderson declined to comment on the circumstances surrounding his departure.

"It's our policy not to discuss the reasons for someone's resignation," she said.

Croff, who has served in various city positions for 23 years, could not be reached for comment. As assistant director, Croff primarily oversaw investments and the city budget, and worked with all the city departments in preparing their budgets.

The timing of Croff's departure is surprising — if not puzzling — to some City Council members because he resigned while the financial department was busy preparing the proposed city budget for the upcoming year, which Mayor Lewis Billings is slated to present to the council on Tuesday.

City Councilman Steve Turley said he questions whether Croff's resignation was completely voluntary.

"The only thing I was told is that he was asked to resign," Turley said.

City Councilman George Stewart said Billings mentioned the resignation to him in passing around April 17, but council members weren't filled in on the details.

"It was certainly a surprise to myself and the other City Council members," he said.

Whatever the reason for his resignation, Croff is taking a large chunk of the finance department's institutional memory with him, Turley said.

"He was about as sharp as a tack," he said. "He's a wealth of information."

Anderson said the city has not yet begun shopping for a candidate to fill his position. She also said Croff's departure won't impact plans to present the budget Tuesday at 11 a.m. in the Covey Center for the Arts.

"We're going forward," she said. "Other staff members are stepping up to fill his position."

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