City manager Wally Bobkiewicz formally introduced Hitesh Desai as the new chief financial officer and city treasurer at a City Council meeting Monday.

In 2000, Desai started working for the city as an accountant and accounting manager. After 12 years, he moved to Carpentersville, Illinois, to take a position as financial director. He started again in Evanston on April 16, according to a city news release.

“Patesh is on his third tour of duty with the city of Evanston,” Bobkiewicz said at Monday’s council meeting. “We’re so very happy to have him.”

According to the release, Desai’s new position will include overseeing purchasing, accounting, budget, revenue, collections and property tax, among other public finance duties.

Carpentersville received budget and audit awards for the first time under Desai’s tenure, according to the release. It said he created “substantial” savings for the village.

Desai said he never would have expected to be back in Evanston after 18 years.

“I am really excited to be back with the city of Evanston and I look forward to working with all of you,” Desai said at council. “Obviously I’m very excited.”

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