Longboat Key seeks a new public works director

Longboat Key town staff will soon begin the search for a new public works director.

At a Town Commission meeting Monday, Town Manager Dave Bullock announced that current Public Works Director Juan Florensa intends to retire next year.

Florensa oversees a staff of 20 members who are responsible for beach management, utilities, town facilities, solid waste, parks and streets

Town staff will begin the search for Florensa’s replacement within the next few weeks. Bullock said the search is starting this early because of the skills and expertise the position requires.

“(Florensa’s) job takes a lot of experience and understanding of the community,” Bullock said. “And I think an overlap in that position is important and necessary.”

When Florensa began his tenure as the Key’s Public Works Director in 2001, the previous director had already left. The staff at the time was immensely helpful, Florensa said, but he lacked the benefit of guidance from someone who had already held his position.

Reflecting on that experience, Florensa knew that if and when he decided to leave, he wanted to have the opportunity to share his knowledge with his successor.

Florensa said it’s vital for the next director, who will be hired by Bullock, to understand the culture of the Key. Florensa describes Key residents as well-educated and particularly engaged about what happens in their community, all while maintaining an attitude of understanding and support.

“When you do a good job or you meet their expectations, they’re the first ones to pick up the phone and call me and say, ‘Thank you,’” Florensa said. “That’s amazing.”

Florensa worked as director of the Public Works Department in North Port for 16 years before coming to the Key, so when joined the Key staff, he was tasked with learning the ins and outs of beach management.

Since then, he’s come to be viewed be as a knowledgeable resource on the topic among his peers, Bullock said.

Florensa will officially retire in January 2018.