WILMINGTON — Thirty-two of years of service didn’t go without notice.
At Thursday’s Wilmington City Council meeting, outgoing City Auditor David Hollingsworth, one of the longest-serving city officials, was honored for his years of service.
Mary Kay Vance, who was sworn in as the new auditor, spoke about Hollingsworth’s career.
“You were encouraged to run for office by Kent Vandervort, who was the auditor at the time,” said Vance. “Kent’s favorite saying right now is he is happily a former city auditor. So, now you can say that.”
Vance recalled when she joined a year after Hollingsworth was sworn in, and how the two worked together back at the old city building, recalling all the measures and projects made possible by Hollingsworth. These included issuing bonds for the $4.5 million for the sewer plant, orchestrating the financing for the construction of the current city building, and forging the lines for the Caesar Creek water line.
“So many people look up to you for guidance, and they still will,” said Vance. “I have you on speed dial.”
Mayor John Stanforth presented the key to the city to Hollingsworth in appreciation for his 32 years of “dedicated, professional & loyal service to the city and citizens of Wilmington” from Jan. 1, 1988 to Dec. 31, 2019.
Hollingsworth thanked everyone for their kind words and said the auditor’s office is in safe hands with Mary Kay Vance and her team. Hollingsworth also wanted to reiterate to citizens that he was not retiring from his job as a tax preparer, but simply decided to not run for office again.
Also during council:
• Mayor John Stanforth swore-in Mark McKay, Jonathan McKay, Michael Snarr, Matt Purkey, Bill Liermann, Kelsey Swindler, and Nick Eveland into their respective council positions. Councilmember Kristi Fickert was sworn in by her uncle, Clinton County Sheriff Ralph Fizer Jr. along. She was also joined by Fizer’s father and former Clinton County Sheriff Ralph Fizer Sr. Clinton County Common Pleas Judge John “Tim” Rudduck swore-in Mary Kay Vance as the new city auditor and his son, Brett, as the city’s law director.
• Outgoing Councilmember Tyler Williams was recognized by Mayor John Stanforth and others for his time on council. Williams thanked them and hopes the good work continues in the City Revitalization Committee where he served as chairperson.
• Council performed the third and final reading, approving the $58.7 million 2020 budget for the city, an over $15.4 million increase from the 2019 budget.
• Council approved a resolution accepting a $5,000 grant from the Clinton County Solid Waste District to assist in the processing fees for the curbside recycling program. They also approved an ordinance authorizing Stanforth to enter into an agreement with Miami Valley Lighting, LLC.
