Illinois native Patty Navin may be new to Ada village government, but not to village and city finances.

On Oct. 14 she became fiscal officer and clerk for the village. And, while in a local learning curve, her background in municipal finance makes her fit for Ada perfect.

As a CPA, who had a career in auditing and municipal government, she said, “You have to know a little bit of everything (in village governance),” about her new position. 

“Everything” means financial statements, payroll, working with appropriations, and, serving as clerk for the Village of Ada, keeping minutes of council meetings.

The Icon talked with her during one of the busiest times of the year. It’s when her calendar is consumed with appropriations, year-end reports, payroll reports and the looming visit in the spring from state auditors. 

An accounting graduate from Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, she served as city treasurer of Edwardsville, Illinois, a city of 25,000 from 1997 to 2001.

Then, she served in an elected position as city clerk and comptroller for Edwardsville from 2001 to 2007. From 2007 to 2015 she was director of finance of Glen Carbon, Illinois, a city of 13,000.

She has also worked as auditor of municipalities for the public accounting firm, KPMG in St. Louis.

Concerning Ada’s finances, 2020 appropriations reach $9 million, broken down to a $6 million general fund, plus funds for utilities, streets and the municipal swimming pool.

When off the clock, she and her husband, John, dean of ONU’s Dicke College of Business Administration, enjoy traveling.

“We’ve taken winter cruises in the Caribbean. We’ve also visited Ireland, Germany Greece, France and Egypt,” she said, adding that her enjoyment of history and ethnic foods make these trip very meaningful.

As a jogger, Nevin has 10 half-Marathons to her credit. She has an Orlando, Florida, half-Marathon on her February calendar.

When it comes to baseball, she became a Cubs fan via her father, but learned to love the Cardinals when moving to St. Louis. Soon a Bulldog and Polar Bear will enter Navin’s sports zoo fan club.