New town clerk hired for Longboat Key

After two decades, the town of Longboat Key will get a new town clerk this summer.

Trish Shinkle, who started with the town in 2006, is retiring. Her last day is June 19, she said.

Celine Kidwell has been picked as the town’s next clerk. Kidwell was recommended for the position unanimously by a hiring committee that consisted of Town Manager Howard Tipton, Assistant Town Manager Isaac Brownman, Fire Chief Paul Dezzi and Town Attorney Maggie Mooney. There were 13 applicants for the position.

“We interviewed three of the finalists. Two were external, one was internal,” Tipton said. “We looked solely at the basis of professional qualifications, and as a result of the interview process, it was the unanimous recommendation of the committee that we recommend Celine Kidwell as the next town clerk of the town of Longboat Key.”

The Town Commission unanimously approved Tipton’s recommendation for her appointment at a specially called Town Commission meeting May 18.

Kidwell, who most recently served as city clerk for Eloy, Arizona, will relocate to Florida and begin her position with Longboat Key in the summer, either July 20 or 27, Tipton said. Her starting salary will be $125,000.

In Kidwell’s cover letter to the town, she said she is ready to return to Florida with her husband “to establish our permanent home.”

Image courtesy of city of Eloy, Arizona

Before starting with Eloy in February 2025, Kidwell worked for seven years in Florida as city clerk and deputy city clerk for the city of Treasure Island.

“Having served Florida communities, I understand the unique requirements of Florida municipal governance, including Sunshine Law, public records law, and election procedures,” Kidwell wrote in her cover letter. “I am ready to bring my experience to the Town of Longboat Key's tradition of exceptional service.”

Kidwell’s resume shows that she is a Certified Municipal Clerk working toward her Master Municipal Clerk certification, expected to be completed this year. She is also a Florida Certified Records Manager and Certified Administrative Professional. A Tucson, Arizona, native, Kidwell’s job experience includes non-governmental work including as executive assistant at NRG Energy in Texas and as administrative assistant with Portland General Electric in Oregon.