Recognizing the Quiet Performers

In the last seven years or so that I’ve had the privilege to write a column for this publication and the one prior to it, I’ve had a front row seat to the operations of the City of Marco Island, for good or for bad. I have to admit, though, that most of what I’ve witnessed was of a positive nature, as I’ve developed relationships with most of the department heads and folks that do such a good job servicing our community.

However, that never stopped me from pointing out errors in judgement and issues I thought were handled poorly, whether it be by a public servant or even by me, if I got something wrong.

Today, however, I wanted to point out a department and its leadership that have served our community extraordinarily well over the many years I’ve had the privilege to observe them. Recently we looked on with great pride as American athletes represented our nation so well in the 2021 Olympics held in Tokyo, Japan. It really was wonderful watching them perform so well in their individual events and competitions.

The city’s finance department has performed as well as any of our athletes during these last Olympic games, and they deserve to be recognized for their outstanding service to our community.

It is unfortunate that the men and women who do such an outstanding job for us all don’t get recognized more often. A friend of mine was quick to remind me, however, that should their performance be below standards, we certainly would hear about it, as it would be very evident and spoken about loudly by some.

I have known Guillermo Polanco, the City’s Director of Finance since he arrived here to the city. He’s a man of great integrity and outstanding work ethic. Those same qualities are represented in the entire team he has assembled over the years that have served us so well.  That hard work is represented in the recent award to the city of the coveted designation of a Triple AAA Bond Rating for your city. In my opinion, it holds the same symbolism as the Olympic Gold Medal for their performance over the years leading up to this recognition of their outstanding performance in their field. 

I would be equally remiss if I didn’t call out his team individually for recognition of their efforts. Julianne Broxson, Brandi Garwood, Sergio Gomez, Michon Jackson, Sandy Moore, Debi Mueller, Lynn Musgrave, Marilyn Prigge, Zach Simpson and Lina Upham make up this wonderful Finance Department team of high performers.

At the August 16 city council meeting, the representative of the bond agencies pointed out this significant achievement by the Marco Island Finance Department and congratulated them.

The Fitch Credit Rating Agency is one of the three top credit rating agencies in the world. Its primary purpose is to rate the viability of investments relative to the likelihood of default. The city itself recently has prepared the paperwork to float $11,334,000 in public improvement bonds for both the building of the new Station 50 Fire Station and the Veterans’ Community Park Improvement Project.

The bond proceeds will be used to finance the cost of those capital improvements. The voter-approved Collier County half-cent sales tax revenue accounts for 74% of total pledged revenues for those bonds. 

The “pay as you go plan” (Bucket Plan) instituted seven years ago by a former city manager and council will continue to provide a source of on-going capital needs, and no additional borrowing is anticipated.

Fitch also recognized the city staff’s conservative management style in dealing with spending and budgeting practices, which is reflected in the city council’s desires.

I thought the accomplishments of Guillermo Polanco and his staff of professionals deserved to have their achievements recognized by the public, for it is through their hard work and accomplishments that the citizens receive great benefits and tremendous savings in the costs associated with running our city.

They may stand in the shadows and go about their duties without much recognition, but the results of their hard work and efforts on our behalf truly do pay off.