Brief summarization of accolades given and project updates
The most recent City Commission meeting was held this past Monday. Here is a roundup of what was discussed.
Proclamation for Jack Holland
The newly appointed Assistant City Manager Jack Holland received a proclamation from the city commission for his service to the city.
This comes as Holland received the 2022 Citizen of the Year award.
“For many years, I’ve been at that luncheon representing the Optimist Club and probably three to four times actually reading the names of recipients that were in the audience,” he said. “[I] never dreamed that my name might be on that list someday, so I’m very humbled and honored.”
An excerpt of the proclamation reads: “In addition to his work with the city, Jack Holland has maintained his dedication to building a strong community through his involvement with local organizations including the Optimist Club of Plant City, the Plant City Area Soccer Club Lancers, the Greater Plant City Chamber of Commerce, the Friends of Recreation and Parks Corporation, the Alliance for Lupus Research, the Plant City YMCA, and the Plant City High School Business Advisory Board.”
Holland has served the City of Plant City since 1977 working as an athletic director, program director, and as director of the Parks and Recreation Club.
“It’s quite an honor when one of your own is selected as Citizen of the Year,” said Plant City City Manager Bill McDaniel. “My heart-felt congratulations to Jack.”
Proclamation for Finance Department
The Plant City Finance Department also received a proclamation as Government Finance Professionals Week occurs from March 14 to March 18.
Diane Reichard, CFO of the Plant City Finance Department was present to accept the award.
Also present were five of the 26 staff members including Procurement Manager Robert Rosenstein, Utility Billing Manager Denise McDaniel, Accounting Clerk Misty Jimenez, and Budget Manager Lauren Shatto.
Also, for the sixth consecutive year, the department has earned the Distinctive Budget Presentation award by the Government Finance Officers Association.
“To recognize our finance team for their work tonight – just another outstanding recognition for the day to day work done by one of the teams in our city organization,” McDaniel said.
Presenting plaque to city commission
Sharon Moody, founder of the Plant City Black Heritage Celebration Inc. showed her thanks to the city commission for its assistance with the 19th Annual Black Heritage Festival, held from Feb. 11 to Feb. 13.
“I would like to thank the City of Plant City for being a big supporter of Plant City Black Heritage [Celebration Inc.], celebrating Black History Month,” she said.
With that, she presented a plaque to the city for its backing.
Audit analysis
The Mauldin and Jenkins, LLC. accounting firm conducted and provided an audit report for the fiscal year ending on Sept. 30, 2021.
The tests done for the city’s internal controls and compliance with laws showed no findings or deficiencies of any kind.
The city received and expended $4.6 million in federal awards this year, said Wade Sansbury, a partner at Mauldin and Jenkins, LLC. The firm also performed single audit procedures for the CARES Act CRF Program which showed no issues.
The City of Plant City also increased its overall net position by $16 million for the fiscal year ending on Sept. 30, 2021. This changed the city’s net position to a total of $278.4 million.
Library outdoor amenities
Director Paul Shaver of Bruton Memorial Library updated the city commission about the finishing product of the Imagination Garden at the back of the library.
The once unused land on the property was first excavated last November to build the new garden.
The Marcus Waller Fountain and creek bed installation has a statue of a boy pumping water from a well and is accompanied by his dog.
With the use of a water wheel, the statue does run water down a man-made path with pebbles.
Across from the Marcus Waller Fountain is the Ring Around the Rosie statue which depict three girls holding hands and swaying around.
Plants now line the trail and walkway across the back of the library, and there is a privacy fence that has been put up.
There’s also signage and a wooden bench to swing on.
