At a Tuesday night Zebulon Town Council meeting, Town Manager Katy Crosby outlined a plan to restore confidence in the town’s finances following the recent departure of Finance Director Bobby Fitts. Fitts retired last month after an audit highlighted overspending and gaps in financial oversight.
Commitment to Transparency
Crosby emphasized that the town is dedicated to full transparency on all spending. “We’re bringing in an outside accounting firm to improve operations,” she said. “They’ll help us document our processes, provide an additional set of eyes, and give us feedback on how we can improve.”
External Expertise to Guide Reforms
The selected firm will conduct a comprehensive review of Zebulon’s day‑to‑day finance operations. Their mandate includes assessing current accounting practices, identifying areas of waste, and recommending procedural changes that align with best‑practice standards for municipal finance.
Council members welcomed the move, noting that an independent review can help the town avoid future overspending and restore public trust. Several councilors asked about the timeline and cost, and Crosby responded that the firm will begin its assessment within the next two weeks, with an initial report expected by the end of the quarter.
Addressing Staffing Gaps
With Fitts’ retirement, the finance department is currently operating with a reduced staff. Crosby assured residents that the town is actively recruiting a new finance director and that interim staff will receive additional training to maintain continuity while the external firm conducts its review.
“Our priority is to keep the town’s services running smoothly while we strengthen our financial foundation,” Crosby added.
Community Impact
Local business owners and residents expressed relief that the town is taking concrete steps to address the audit’s findings. “It’s good to see our leaders acting quickly,” said longtime Zebulon resident James Whitaker. “We need confidence that our tax dollars are being used wisely.”
The town also plans to hold a public forum later this month to share the firm’s findings and gather community input on any recommended changes.
Looking Forward
By partnering with an external accounting firm, Zebulon aims to set a higher standard for fiscal responsibility that other municipalities in the region can emulate. The town’s proactive approach reflects a broader commitment to good governance and responsible stewardship of public resources.
Council members will continue to monitor progress and will vote on any policy adjustments recommended by the firm at the next scheduled council meeting.
Original reporting: WRAL Raleigh — read the source article.
