Zebulon’s finance director is stepping away from his job.
The move comes just weeks after the state auditor’s office released a report detailing a lack of financial oversight in the town and overspending of general funds, among other things.
Town leaders made the announcement Monday during the board of commissioner’s first meeting since the report was released.
“I want to take a moment to acknowledge Bobby’s commitment,” said town manager Katy Crosby.
The retirement comes as the town is working through a long list of goals prompted by the auditor’s report.
In a statement, town spokesperson Heather Finch wrote in part:
“[Fitts’s] retirement will not affect the Town’s commitment to completing the corrective actions and goals outlined on the Progress Dashboard. That work will continue across the organization.”
Town leaders declined to say whether Fitts is the only one leaving the finance department, but did say the department has been under stress.
“Our internal controls and financial operations have received a tremendous amount of scrutiny. The scrutiny has placed the finance department, a department that typically does much of its work behind the scenes, squarely in the spotlight,” Crosby said.
The town didn’t provide an official reason for Fitts’ departure.
“I hit the 30-year mark this month, so [retiring] has been my plan,” Fitts wrote.
