Tax and finance personnel collected accolades for their accomplishments at the Aug. 3 meeting of the Moore County Board of Commissioners.

For the 21st consecutive year, the county's Finance Department has received the Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting. The certificate is awarded by the Government Finance Officers Association of the United States and Canada, which authorizes an impartial panel to review the reporting work of government finance departments.

A winner must demonstrate "a constructive 'spirit of full disclosure' to clearly communicate its financial story and motivate potential users and user groups to read the CAFR."

Lisa Hughes, financial services director, accepted the award from an association representative, then introduced members of the finance staff who had collectively helped to make the achievement possible.

Wayne Vest, tax administrator, and the staff of the tax office were also recognized for 18 consecutive years of collections in excess of 99 percent. For the past six consecutive years, the tax office has achieved a collection rate of 99.5-plus percent.

Vest also asked his staff to stand for recognition by the commissioners.

SERVICE AWARDS -- The Aug. 3 meeting was also the occasion for presentation of service awards to employees with five or more years with the county. The awards are presented for periods of five, 10, 15, 20, 25 or more years.

Among those recognized were two employees with 25 years; Cynthia Brewer, assistant veterans service officer, and Renee Steel, income maintenance supervisor II, Department of Social Services.

Awards also went to 23 other employees. The awards covered the months of June, July and August.

The board now stands as a body to recognize each employee, who gets a handshake from each commissioner.

CLOSED MEETING -- The commissioners will continue a round of closed sessions at a special meeting called for Monday at 5 p.m. at the historic courthouse in Carthage. The meeting will be open to the public for the routine ceremonial activities, including the invocation and the pledge of allegiance to the American flag. There will also be a period for public comment.

After that, however, the board is expected to go into closed session to consult with the county attorney on an undisclosed subject.

ELECTIONS BOARD -- The oath of office will be administered to the Moore County Board of Elections Tuesday at 3 p.m. at the elections office on Pinehurst Avenue in Carthage.

New to the board is Carolyn M. McDermott, who succeeds Mary M. Pope, longtime member and chair. The state board recently reappointed Susan T. Adams and Ansol E. Graham and appointed McDermott. Adams is the Republican member, and Graham and McDermott are the Democratic Party members.

MUNRO -- The late Carl Munro was remembered during the Thursday night meeting of the Moore County Planning Board. Munro, who died July 28, was an alternate member of the board but played an active role as long as his health permitted.

Board member Dave Kinney mentioned Munro as part of his invocation at the beginning of the meeting.

COBLE -- Congressman Howard Coble was in Burlington Saturday to present medals to a veteran at St. Luke's United Methodist Church.

The Greensboro Republican was scheduled to attend worship services at Alamance Presbyterian Church this morning. This afternoon he will throw out the first pitch at the Royals game in Burlington.

Coble will be back in the 6th District for the remainder of August for the traditional summer recess.

Contact Florence Gilkeson at 693-2479 or by e-mail at florence@thepilot.com.