By NEAL WAGNER / Managing Editor

ALABASTER – The city of Alabaster has earned the “highest form of recognition in the area of governmental accounting and financial reporting,” netting the city’s finance director praise during an early November City Council meeting.

Alabaster Mayor Marty Handlon was notified on Nov. 5 the city had earned the Government Finance Officers Association of the United States and Canada’s Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting.

The award was based on the comprehensive annual financial report the city submitted for the 2017 fiscal year.

“The CAFR has been judged by an impartial panel to meet the high standards of the program, which includes demonstrating a constructive spirit of full disclosure to clearly communicate its financial story and motivate potential users and user groups to read the CAFR,” read a Government Finance Officers Association press release.

As a result of the city achieving the prestigious award, Alabaster Finance Manager John Haggard and the city’s finance department earned the spotlight during a Nov. 5 meeting.

“For the first try, that’s pretty impressive, John. I came in early this morning at 7:30 before another meeting and opened the envelope. When I read the letter, it gave me chills,” Handlon said. “I’m very proud of all John did to make this happen. A lot of hard work went into achieving this.”

After Handlon presented Haggard with a framed copy of the letter notifying the city it had earned the award, City Council members were effusive in their praise of Haggard.

“We are so thankful to have you,” said Ward 3 Councilwoman Stacy Rakestraw. “You take such initiative in your work that it’s incredible.”

“You have been a tremendous asset to the city since you came on board,” Council President Scott Brakefield told Haggard. “And praise goes to the mayor too. She campaigned on a platform of financial responsibility and transparency, and we have done yeoman’s work in that department.”