What is normally a quiet, professional City Hall was rife with chattering, laughing and catching up on Thursday night. The city of Quitman held an unofficial retirement party for Sheryl Laudenslager, beloved city finance director and assistant city secretary, right before the city council meeting.

As Mayor Randy Dunn commended Laudenslager, saying she “is an amazing lady,” and that he “hates for her to be retiring, but is happy for you,” a tear or two could be seen glinting on some cheeks. 

“It’s tough for us to say goodbye, but we’re all very, very excited for you,” said the mayor.

The council named Laudenslager’s successor at the meeting: the new finance director/assistant city secretary will be Kristie Adams.

The city also approved a motion to designate the city limits of Quitman as a Tax Increment Reinvestment Zone (TIRZ). Although there was no small confusion regarding the actual definition of this designation, Dunn explained that it essentially streamlines the process of reinvesting certain tax monies on qualifying properties in the Quitman city limits. Dunn noted that the new designation came as a recommendation from the Wood County Economic Development Commission.

Tracy Nichols, chief appraiser for the Wood County Appraisal District, noted that “There’s never been one in Wood County.”

Quitman citizen Sally Attaway took a moment to thank the board for its hard work. She also commended Quitman’s longtime pool manager, Susan Rogers, for how she runs the popular venue, and praised Quitman Library director Delene Allen for her success in bringing in kids and interesting presenters to the library’s summer reading program.

Although it was on the agenda for Republic Services to present a check to the Quitman Volunteer Fire Department and the Quitman Police Department, Dunn mentioned that the “checks haven’t arrived,” so the presentation will be given at July’s meeting.

The 2022-2023 audit was also supposed to be presented at the June meeting, but the auditor “was not able to get everything together.” It will also be held during the July meeting.