Each year, the Prudential-Davis Productivity Awards recognize state government employees who identify and implement ways to make services more efficient and economical.
The Rotary Club of Jacksonville hosted the presentation of the 2012 North Florida awards Monday at the Omni Hotel.
It was the 24th consecutive year the club had hosted the ceremony for local award recipients.
This year’s competition attracted 533 nominations for government innovations and productivity improvements, worth an estimated $509 million in cost savings, cost avoidances and increased revenues, according to Florida TaxWatch.
Since the awards were created in 1989 by the founders of the Winn-Dixie supermarket chain, winners have posted a total of $7.6 billion in added value for Florida taxpayers and businesses.
“This is a day to recognize those who have gone above and beyond,” said Kathleen Hampton, executive director of Prudential-Davis Productivity Awards.
The awards are administered by Florida TaxWatch in partnership with the state of Florida and the Florida Council of 100.
Twenty-six individuals and teams of government employees from North Florida were recognized Monday.
Among those recognized were:
• Rita Felton-Smith from the Jacksonville office of the state Department of Environmental Protection received an “Eagle Award” for her more than 20 years of experience as an air quality permitting engineer.
Felton-Smith improved an air permitting procedure that enabled four paper mills to receive $840 million in federal tax credits while saving more than 100 Florida jobs. She was district employee of the year in 2008 out of 135 employees.
• Lee Banks from the Jacksonville DEP office also was recognized for more than 20 years of experience and contributions to environmental quality. Banks developed a data-tracking system that was implemented statewide.
• John Phelan, a senior sanitation safety specialist in the Jacksonville office of the Department of Business and Professional
Regulation, was honored for his 22-year career as a restaurant inspector.
“There were more than 500 nominations for the Prudential-Davis Productivity Awards and each one has added value to the state and made Florida a better place for all of us,” said Steven Rogers, IBM Florida client executive for local government and education.
“Just imagine if we could transfer a program like this to Washington (D.C.),” said Michael Jennings, Prudential vice president for government affairs.
For the complete list of this year’s winners, visit floridataxwatch.org.
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