The Florida League of Cities names Kim Adams its City Finance Officer of the Year. And Dunedin receives the Spirit Award.
By SHANNON TAN and MEGAN SCOTT
Published June 29, 2004
LARGO - Kim Adams is not used to the limelight.
For the past 17 years, he has worked as Largo's management services director. He's a behind-the-scenes person.
But 20 Largo residents submitted letters of support along with Adams' nomination for the Florida League of Cities' City Finance Officer of the Year award.
Those letters helped Adams nab the award Saturday at an awards banquet in Orlando. He beat out Seminole's finance director Harry Jr. Kyne and Venice's Michael T. McPhail.
Commissioners Jean Halvorsen and Gay Gentry attended the banquet.
"I really appreciate the faith and trust placed in me by the City Commission and the city manager," Adams said.
The residents who wrote the letters of support worked with Adams on the Finance Advisory Board or met him at the Citizens' Academy.
"This award is not about one person because I didn't do it without a lot of help," said Adams, who oversees a 23-person department. "They all make me look good."
The League of Cities also honored Dunedin with the Spirit Award. Dunedin was recognized for its volunteer program, which has more than 600 members.
"It was the Oscars of municipalities set up statewide," said Maureen Freaney, Dunedin's assistant city manager. "It seems so fitting for Dunedin to get the Spirit Award because what I think is great is the people of Dunedin. The volunteer program is the core of our community."
The award was the second honor Dunedin has received in the past month. The June issue of Money magazine named the city one of the "Best Places to Live on the Coast." Dunedin was in the Gulf of Mexico category, along with two other places, Pass Christian, Miss., and Rockport, Texas.
Jan Sebald, volunteer coordinator, said what makes Dunedin special is that all the volunteer aspects are under the umbrella of one director. Before 2000, the library, senior center and Recreation Department each had volunteer programs.
In the past year, Dunedin has saved $600,000 using volunteers for events, such as Mardi Gras, Films in the Park and the Honeymoon Island Seafood Festival. Even Channel 15 has a volunteer component.
Dunedin beat four other finalists, including St. Petersburg, to take the Spirit Award.
