Town department heads, officials recognize staff with lunch and awards

After an unprecedented year on Longboat Key, it was time to recognize the people who keep the town moving.

On June 6, Longboat Key department heads and officials held a recognition lunch for town employees and presented awards to a few of those who did outstanding work over the past year.

“In my view, this celebration is the most important one we have over the course of the year,” Mayor Ken Schneier said during his remarks. “What you people do for the town is what makes it work.” 

Between 60 and 70 employees attended the brunch at the Shore Restaurant, which started with a meal and trivia. The trivia was mixed with town history questions and Lean Six Sigma, the latter of which is a new training initiative the town plans to share among all employees later this month. 

Photo by Carlin Gillen

Then came awards, which Town Manager Howard Tipton presented to recognize staff members across all departments. Each award recipient received a plaque and $100. Department heads and town commissioners donated the money to recognize the exceptional staff members. 

“Please know that our community, this town, holds you in the highest regard,” Tipton said to the employees. “They are so appreciative of the work you do every day. But when you see the response that we had throughout the storm events and through these difficult times, they are that much more impressed.”

Over the past year, the town faced three hurricanes, challenges with completing the utility undergrounding project and celebrated achievements like putting on a tennis tournament six months after the hurricanes and Sarasota County approving the expanded version of the public library coming to Longboat Key. 

Photo by Carlin Gillen

Many of the town employees donned shirts that said "LBK Strong" to symbolize the tumultuous past year of hurricanes and recovery.

Overcoming these obstacles and achieving milestones takes a partnership of efforts between the commission, volunteer boards and the town staff. 

“This past year has been an incredible example of what we can do with that partnership,” Schneier said. 

The town's staff also wanted to make sure their town manager had a moment of his own. Toward the end of the event, town staff surprised Tipton with his own celebration — an early birthday song and cake.