City of Haines City Florida

Acknowledgements
In closing, I hope this budget message provides you all with some insight in regards to the challenges and
opportunities that lie ahead for Haines City, yet affirms that we stand ready and willing to accept, execute
and exceed the direction of the City Commission. We will remain fiscally disciplined to spend our funds
where it is deemed responsible for the public. The FY 2016 budget promises to be one that has goals and
objectives set forth by departments and adopted by the elected officials so that we have quantifiable
measurements that we can report back on a quarterly basis. This adaptation to our budget will assist us in
attempting to receive the distinguished budgeting award that has never been obtained by this organization.
By implementing these performance measures, it is certain that the City Commission will see and be
informed on the status of every goal and objective as defined in this document.
I would like to express my gratitude and appreciation to you for allowing me to serve as your City Manager
for another year. Mayor and City Commissioners, you have been extremely supportive and have provided
much insight and guidance with respect to the direction in which you wanted Haines City to go. Your
commitment to this community has allowed us all to strive for the very best, and every day that each and
every one of us come to work, we try to make you and the residents proud to call Haines City home. I am
extremely humbled by the opportunity you have bestowed upon me, and rest assured I will never take the
duties and responsibilities of being City Manager for granted.
I would be remiss if I did not recognize all the individuals that were instrumental with regards to the
completion and the coordination of this year's budget document. Special thanks to Finance Director Donald
Carter, and Assistant Finance Director Kari Giddens who was phenomenal in putting this document
together, and of course, my Senior Executive Assistant Ms. Rosie Hernandez who has been an intricate part
of this process. Lastly, the members of the best executive management team in Polk County, Public Safety
Director Richard “Harold” Sloan, Parks and Recreation Director Auburn Taylor, Development Services
Director Richard Greenwood, Human Resources Director Kandace Tappen, Utilities Director Michael
Stripling, Public Works Director Addie Javed, IT Manager Brian Ross, City Clerk Linda Bourgeois,
Assistant to the City Manager David Johnson and Management Intern Brandon Washington. Most
importantly, I have to give credit to the exceptional work that the Finance Advisory Board did with respect
to reviewing the budget document in its entirety. The members of this board are by far some of the best and
brightest minds we could have assembled. The members of the board include the following; Chairman Jim
Fitch, Chris Long, David Carter P.E., Tim James, DBA, Ph.D, U.S. Navy (Ret), and Robert Dodd. All the
members of the board, and those involved in the process certainly did yeoman's work and have provided so
much insight and perspective that we are truly proud of this document as a true reflection of budget
transparency and teamwork.
Respectfully submitted,
Jonathan E. Evans, MPA, MBA, ICMA-CM
City Manager
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