“It has been an honor serving on city council over the past six years,” Fuller said.
Rockingham Mayor Gene McLaurin referred to Fuller as “a good public servant,” and noted she would be honored at the city’s annual employee appreciation dinner at Browder Park on December 3.
She lost her bid for re-election last week as the fourth top vote-getter in a race for three seats.
Fellow incumbents Steve Morris and John Hutchinson won their bids, as did political newcomer Travis Billingsley.
After opening its regular meeting with a moment of silence for former Rockingham resident Alonzo Lunsford and others wounded in the Fort Hood attack, Rockingham City Council then received a favorable audit report of its fiscal year 2008-09 financial activities by local Certified Public Accountant Ken Anderson.
Anderson reported no findings in the report, and gave a brief summary of the current state of affairs in city finance.
“As you can see in the general fund from 2006 to 2009 the available fund balance has increased,” Anderson told the council. “During that time it has remained relatively stable, and like I said, during these economic times it’s good to hold the course these days.”
Anderson also commented on the city’s overall debt.
“You’re overall debt decreased about $305,000,” Anderson said of the city’s long-term liabilities.
He went on to address the compliance portions of the audit, for which there were no findings.
“Overall, as far as controls, it’s the same as last year, you’ve got a lot of good continuity here in the city,” Anderson said. “Everything we checked as far as controls and balances, everything’s working as it should. Nothing is fool-proof, but you’ve got a pretty good system here. I also noticed in the paper two or three months ago, you’ve got the A-3 rating from Moody, so I think this is a pretty strong financial municipality.”
He further commented, “I think there was a lot of cost containment this year,” of spending in the city departments.
In other business:
n The council voted unanimously to support an effort by two local veterans to have a Richmond County/Rockingham Armed Forces Community Covenant.
“I think the words at the bottom of the page sum it up well, ‘Supporting those we serve,’” McLaurin commented before the vote was taken.
The two local veterans spearheading the effort are Jeff Joyner and Carlton Hawkins.
n McLaurin also told the council it will receive an annual report from the Rockingham Housing Authority at its December meeting.
n The city council voted unanimously to set a public hearing for its updated Hazard Mitigation Plan at its December meeting.
These plans are required of local government by state and federal agencies in order to be eligible for grant funds in the event of a natural disaster.
n Staff Writer Philip D. Brown can be reached at (910) 997-3111 ext. 32, or by e-mail at pbrown@yourdailyjournal.com.
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