Agenda 01/26/2021 Item #16F 1 (Employee of the Year - Steve Athey)01/26/2021
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Recommendation to recognize Steve Athey, Code Enforcement Property Maintenance Inspector,
Growth Management Department as the 2020 Employee of the Year.
OBJECTIVE: The Employee of the Year is selected by the Employee of the Month Commi ttee from all
of the Employee of the Month winners in the year, to recognize the efforts and accomplishments of an
employee who has made significant contributions to the organization or to our community.
CONSIDERATIONS: Steve has been with Collier County since 2005 in Code Enforcement. He was
selected as the Employee of the Month in January 2020.
In late November 2019, Collier County Code Enforcement received a complaint regarding a bug and
rodent infested occupied dwelling with no water or electric in the Moon Lake Community. Steve
contacted the homeowner and the elderly man explained that he had a water leak in his garage. The water
leak ran up the water bill and the water was eventually shut off. The gentleman invited Investigator Athey
into the home where Steve observed severe violations of the Collier County Property Maintenance Code
including unsanitary conditions, rodent and insect infestation, and other serious life safety concerns.
Steve could have taken the easy way out and issued a citation or Notice of Violation, but true to his
character and sense of commitment to the community, he chose a different path. He contacted his
supervisor and explained the situation. It was agreed that this situation was unique and required more than
a Code Enforcement action. Collier County Code Enforcement then coordinated with the Collier County
Sheriff’s Community Policing Unit and the Collier County Sheriff’s Senior Advocacy Unit.
In a span of two days, with the assistance of other Code Enforcement team members and Collier County
Solid and Hazardous Waste, two 30-yard dumpsters were filled with debris from the home.
Steve didn’t stop there. He took it upon himself to collect donated supplies, and received donations of
new mattresses, a new hot water heater, toilets, appliances, and other household necessities. He also
coordinated to have the electric and water restored. The home was cleared and cleaned and at the end of
the second day, the elderly man with tear-filled eyes made a comment that no one involved will ever
forget; he said, “You all saved my life by giving me a new start and I am forever grateful.”
With his sense of commitment to the community, Steve profoundly changed this individual’s quality of
life and the quality of life of the residents in the surrounding homes, which is why he is so deserving of
the Employee of the Year Award.
FISCAL IMPACT: The selected “Employee of the Year” receives a $250 cash award. Funds for this are
available in the Human Resources budget.
GROWTH MANAGEMENT IMPACT: There are no Growth Management impacts associated with
this Executive Summary.
Prepared by: Katie Whittier, Recognition and Retirement Coordinator, Human Resources Division
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01/26/2021
COLLIER COUNTY
Board of County Commissioners
Item Number: 16.F.1
Doc ID: 14630
Item Summary: Recommendation to recognize Steve Athey, Property Maintenance Inspector,
Growth Management Department, as the 2020 Employee of the Year.
Meeting Date: 01/26/2021
Prepared by:
Title: Human Resources Generalist – Human Resources
Name: Katherine Whittier
12/30/2020 3:59 PM
Submitted by:
Title: Division Director - Human Resources – Human Resources
Name: Amy Lyberg
12/30/2020 3:59 PM
Approved By:
Review:
Human Resources Amy Lyberg Additional Reviewer Completed 12/30/2020 5:37 PM
Administrative Services Department Michael Cox Level 1 Department Reviewer Completed 12/31/2020 7:11 AM
Administrative Services Department Len Price Level 2 Department Head Review Completed 01/06/2021 6:00 PM
County Manager's Office Dan Rodriguez Level 4 County Manager Review Completed 01/07/2021 8:15 AM
Board of County Commissioners MaryJo Brock Meeting Pending 01/26/2021 9:00 AM
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