Council honors long-serving city manager, recognizes police accreditation and appoints Raymond Smith

Phenix City leaders used part of their meeting to recognize long municipal careers and departmental accomplishments: the council presented a plaque honoring Wallace Hunter for 40 years of service to the city, the Phenix City Police Department was recognized for receiving a five-year accreditation, and the council appointed Raymond Smith to the questionnaire review board.

City staff recited employee milestones including Jeri Ritter (10 years), Yancey Evans (25 years) and Wallace Hunter (noted for 40 years of service as a firefighter and later city manager, and roughly 49 years of service recognized by the retirement systems). The mayor presented a plaque to Mr. Hunter and he delivered acceptance remarks reflecting on his career. "At the age of 6, I knew that I would be a fireman," Hunter said in his remarks (speaker 4). He thanked family, mentors and colleagues and reflected on the challenges and rewards of public service.

The council also heard that the Phenix City Police Department has met standards set by the Alabama Law Enforcement Accreditation Committee and is recognized as an accredited agency for a five-year period. City leaders and public-safety officials thanked the officers and singled out Captain Deagra for spearheading the accreditation effort.

Finally, the council moved and seconded an appointment to the questionnaire review board, naming Raymond Smith to the panel; the motion was approved as part of the meeting's routine business.

These recognition items were presented near the start of the meeting and preceded the council's routine consent and administrative resolutions.