Oak Harbor has selected a new finance director to fill the position that has been vacant since August.

Mayor Bob Severns appointed David Goldman as the city’s new finance director after Patricia Soule, the former finance director, left this summer.

Mike Bailey, a CPA from the Municipal Research and Service Center, has served as interim finance director while the city searched for a permanent replacement.

The city paid $13,000 a month for Bailey to manage the finance department and consult on potential improvements to its financial functions while he worked for the city.

The city interviewed 10 candidates for the job and ultimately selected Goldman, according to Human Resources Director Emma House.

Goldman will be paid $134,064 a year to oversee the city’s coffers.

Before coming to Oak Harbor, Goldman worked as the deputy director of finance and administration for the City of Kirkland for a year. Before that, he worked for the Sacramento Regional Transit District and the City of Miramar, Fla., both in management and budgetary director roles.

He holds a master’s degree in urban and regional planning and is working on a doctorate degree in public administration focusing on policy, finance and taxation.

“That was intriguing – not maybe the normal for the finance guy, but it’s a nice touch,” said Councilmember Joel Servatius of Goldman’s education.

The council voted unanimously to approve the appointment of Goldman during the Oct. 6 city council meeting.

The new finance director is anticipated to start work on Oct. 26, said House.