Housing Task Force Prepares For 2014

The City's Housing Task Force is already planning for next year's Sanford Block Party. The event has been tentatively set for April 26, 2014.

The committee has chosen Hawkins Avenue to receive a day of cleaning up and beautification. Just like in years past, volunteers, municipal staff, City and County officials, and others will work together to make the chosen portion of the street more attractive to passers by.

While task force members work on confirming dates and lead groups for the future block party, the City's Appearance Commission has selected a residence from each of the past Sanford Block Party events to receive a beautification award.

The award was given to the residents who did the best job of maintaining the work done on their residence during their block party. There is an award for a home on Charlotte Avenue, on McIver Street, and on Maple Avenue.

The awards will be in the form of a sign for the residents to post in their yards. You can expect to see the signs later this fall.

For more information about the task force or the Sanford Block Party, contact Karen Kennedy at 919-777-1113 or karen.kennedy@sanfordnc.net.

Beth Kelly To Serve As Financial Services Director

The City of Sanford has selected Beth Kelly to serve as Director of Financial Services.

As director, Kelly will manage all financial aspects for the City, including financial reporting, debt issuance, budgeting, and revenue analysis and projections for the general and utility funds. Kelly has served as Interim Director since August 19, 2013 when the position was vacated by Melissa Cardinali.

Kelly’s experience makes her a natural fit for the position, says Hal Hegwer, City Manager. She has served as Assistant Director of Financial Services for the City of Sanford since March of 2005. Prior to that, she worked as an auditor of North Carolina local governments (counties and municipalities) for public accounting firm Dixon Hughes Goodman, formerly Dixon Hughes, PLLC.

This new role will place Kelly in the position to directly manage $14.5 million in debt issuance for the general obligation bonds passed in the September 10 municipal primary. Her previous bond experience shows she is up to the task. “Beth Kelly was integral in obtaining excellent interest rates for the $54 million in revenue bonds necessary for the Wastewater Treatment Plant expansion, a project that totaled $72 million,” Hegwer says.

“I have a great deal of confidence in Beth Kelly. Her accounting background and prior auditing experience are strong assets for the City. Serving as Assistant Director of Financial Services and Interim Director of Financial Services has prepared her to hit the ground running,” Hegwer says.

Kelly graduated from Meredith College in 1998 with a degree in accounting. She is an active member of the North Carolina Governmental Finance Officers Association and the North Carolina Governmental Investment Association.

Voters Pass Bond Referendum

Voters took to the polls on Tuesday, Sept. 10 to give their approval of the City of Sanford’s $14.5 million bond program.

Starting in late July, City staff rolled out an education campaign to provide details on the potential bond projects, along with their financial implications and potential tax consequences.

Using public presentations, static displays, social media, and the City’s website, staffers spent the past six weeks educating residents on how the bonds will be used to improve the quality of life and economic development in Sanford.

The outcome of Tuesday’s vote reflected Sanford’s optimism about the bond program’s ability to transition the city from a struggling industrial town to a thriving business community.

For more information about the vote count, read this recap in The Sanford Herald. Information on the next steps in the bond process will be forthcoming.