Longtime Tuscaloosa County CFO Bill Lamb Retiring After 39 Years

TUSCALOOSA, AL — While the old idiom says whoever "controls the purse strings makes the rules," but if you ask longtime Tuscaloosa County Chief Financial Officer Bill Lamb, he's likely to characterize his role differently.

"This is like a corporation," he said of the county's operations and services. "It's ours, but we have 200,000 shareholders and 500 employees and we are the stewards of their money and we just want to try to treat everyone with respect and honor."

On Wednesday, the Tuscaloosa County Commission announced that Lamb, who first came on as county accountant in February of 1982, would be retiring after nearly four decades of service.

Lamb's last appearance in an official capacity was brief, presenting the normal list of bills that needed to be paid, along with requesting authorization to move forward with the different banks classified as depositories for the county.

While he was later called up to be honored for his retirement, Lamb's final act of public civil service was much like the rest of his career was described by colleagues — dependable and steady.

District 2 Commissioner Jerry Tingle praised Lamb's contributions during his career, while pointing out that the county has given raises to employees for 34 consecutive years.

"I don’t think anyone else can say that and that leads right to the point of someone who controls those books," Tingle said. "It makes the commissions — past and present — look good. It makes the probate judge look good and makes the public look good."

Following the meeting, Lamb told Patch that when he was first hired as county accountant, he was the only accountant employed, which would continue for 37 more years until April Hoffman was brought on as assistant director of finance.

"It's been an honor and a privilege to serve Tuscaloosa County and the Commission and chairman over the years," Lamb said. "It's by divine providence. It's not just one person who gets credit. Everybody has been a contributor. I think the Lord has smiled on us as a county."

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