Delray Beach honors employees at quarterly service awards; manager highlights wellness screenings and utilities progress

The City of Delray Beach recognized staff for years of service and promotions at its quarterly service awards ceremony, where leaders spotlighted employee milestones, a city-run wellness screening program and recent progress in utility operations.

City Manager (name not specified in transcript) opened the program and said the city “owns and operates a wellness center and is administered in collaboration with Cigna,” and noted the week’s biometric screenings at the community center as a “valuable service.”

The recognitions covered multiple departments. Employees listed on the record and their service milestones included Berna Harris (20 years, Parks & Recreation), Don English (30 years, Fire Rescue), Ronald Delong (25 years), Darren Gurley (25 years), Christopher Hutchinson (25 years), Connor Devery (20 years), Phil Wotton (10 years, Ocean Rescue), Tyler Adams (15 years, Fire Rescue), Lindsey Bell (15 years), Aaron (last name not specified in the transcript) among police staff with 15 years, and others across utilities, neighborhood services, IT and city clerk’s office. Several staff promotions and new assignments were announced or acknowledged during remarks: David Garcia was elevated to assistant fire rescue chief overseeing emergency management; Anthony Person was noted as recently promoted to the agenda coordinator role in the city clerk’s office; Melinda Loria was introduced as business operations administrator following a promotion; and Patrice Harris was recognized for promotion to deputy city clerk.

Department leaders used their remarks to highlight the work behind those milestones. Jerry Pryor, director of Neighborhood and Community Services, pointed to programs administered by his office — including the State Housing Initiative Partnership program and the Community Development Block Grant program — when recognizing Ellen De Lima for 10 years of service. Jay Stacy, the city’s chief technology officer, received praise for the information technology team’s role in the city’s digital awards and projects. Director of Utilities Hassan Hajimuri (name as given in the transcript) was introduced and thanked for his leadership; remarks noted the city’s recently completed work to address a Florida Department of Health consent order earlier than initially forecast and the ongoing plan for a new water treatment plant and associated financing and permitting.

Speakers repeatedly framed the event as both a public acknowledgment and a morale-building opportunity. The city manager deviated from the planned order to allow a group photo and encouraged employees and department directors to participate in recognition. He also urged staff to take advantage of the biometric screenings, calling them an “excellent opportunity” to learn about personal health measures.

No formal votes or policy decisions were recorded during the awards program portion of the meeting. The remarks instead emphasized employee contributions, internal promotions and ongoing operational projects — particularly in utilities and emergency management — that city leaders said will continue to require collaboration across departments.

The ceremony closed with brief remarks of thanks and a drawing for a $100 prize for attendees. The city manager ended the event with a light admonition to staff to “stay well” and “don’t mess it up.”