After more than four months without a staff finance director, the Albert Lea City Council voted Monday to share the position with Austin.

Albert Lea and Austin will share Austin Finance Director Tom Dankert until Aug. 31.

Dankert, who has worked as Austin’s director of administrative services since 1998, has a bachelor’s degree from Mankato State University with a major in accounting and a minor in business administration and economics. He is a licensed certified public accountant, and worked at what is now Larson Allen for five years.

Dankert said Monday night he was willing to try out the agreement and give it “a good faith effort.”

Several of the councilors said they were pleased with Dankert’s wililngness — along with the willingness of the Austin City Council — to approve the agreement.

“I am confident that if there is anyone who can, and will go the extra mile toward implementing a shared finance director position with the highest quality attention and direction, Mr. Dankert is the right person, in the right place, at the right time,” Interim City Manager Pat McGarvey said.

Under the agreement, Albert Lea will pay Austin $65 and hour for the use of Dankert, plus a travel fee of $60 per travel. Travel to St. Paul for city business outside of the same window will also be included. Dankert will not receive additional salary.

Albert Lea has been without a finance director since October 2010 after former Finance Director Rhonda Moen accepted a job as finance director in Owatonna.

A search for someone to fill the position did not come back successful.

The city had been paying a consultant firm in lieu of a finance director to come in one day per week, plus give time in its home office. The firm was being paid $110 to $120 per hour and $60 per hour for travel time to and from Albert Lea.

The Austin City Council approved the agreement unanimously during its Feb. 22 meeting.