COOS BAY — The city of Coos Bay has filled its finance director vacancy with the woman who’s been leading the department since August.

City Manager Chuck Freeman announced the hiring of Rae Lea Cousens following interviews with three finalists for the position.

Cousens joined the city in December 2007, serving as deputy finance director until September, when she was promoted to interim director in the wake of her superior’s dismissal.

“She has the experience and has been the deputy finance director here for almost a year,” Freeman said.

The city put its former finance director, Janell Howard, on leave after she was accused of leaving the local Wal-Mart without paying for several items. Police never pressed charges, citing a lack of evidence, but Freeman fired Howard, after consulting with the city’s attorney and insurance company.

Howard subsequently filed a tort claim against the city, suggesting she was fired over a previous dispute with the city’s auditor.

Two finance department employees followed Howard out the door, resigning a few weeks later. Neither employee would say what influence Howard’s departure had on her decision to leave.

Despite the recent turnover, Cousens said she thinks the department is in good shape.

“We are now fully staffed and the city’s finances look good,” she said. “I think things are pretty well.”

Prior to coming to Coos Bay, Cousens worked for the city of Florence for four years as a senior accountant. She also spent more than 10 years at North Bend, the last two as the city’s finance director. In between those stints, she was a SMART coordinator at Bunker Hill Elementary School.

Cousens was one of 21 applicants, according to a press release.

Councilors Michele Burnette and Jon Eck, as well as North Bend’s finance director, Matt Zook, helped Freeman with interviews and the final selection.