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Patrick Moga assumes a post that was a source of concern among county officials in 2007 after Pickart was disciplined for budgeting errors.
Moga, a Winona resident, was Wabasha County’s finance director for six years. Moga also spent nearly 14 years in various accounting positions with Winona Area Public Schools.
County Administrator Bob Reinert said Moga’s understanding of state auditing guidelines made him a particularly attractive candidate.
“He was really ready to hit the ground running,” said Reinert, who added that Moga will have a “clean slate” from the issues that dogged his predecessor.
Pickart resigned after he was twice disciplined by Reinert for budgeting errors, according to county disciplinary files. County board members also expressed concern about the quality of Pickart’s work.
Pickart responded that Reinert’s disciplinary measures reflected philosophical differences about the responsibilities of the county’s top financial officer. Pickart also noted that state auditors gave his finance department high marks in 2005 and 2006.
Files also showed that Reinert recommended the county form a special finance committee in 2007 to double-check Pickart’s work. Reinert said that committee — which includes commissioners Marcia Ward and Jim Pomeroy — will remain in place.
