R.I.S.E. Principles Are Guide

Dania Beach staff lead with respect, integrity and excellence

DANIA BEACH | Broward County | Pop. 31,837

Linda Gonzalez, City of Dania Beach

A key component associated with the growth and success of the City of Dania Beach over the last two years has been due to the R.I.S.E. principles instilled in the City’s team, along with efforts to ensure these principles are upheld.

R.I.S.E. stands for respect, integrity and standard of excellence. It is a way of life where words are aligned with action. R.I.S.E. is not just a three-page policy. It’s a guiding principle and the foundation for how city officials, leaders and team members engage with each other and community members.

For the first time in its history, the City recently adopted a strategic master plan that contains objectives and goals for the City’s next 15 years. In the last two years, the City Commission abolished antiquated civil service rules. It instituted a personnel policy manual and rolled out the R.I.S.E. standards. Dania Beach leaders started implementing the plan with a citywide virtual meeting. The R.I.S.E. principles are posted throughout City Hall.

Numerous technological enhancements allow staff to handle business more efficiently and effectively. The City implemented a “See Something, Say Something” mobile app as a simple, quick way for employees to report customer service and safety matters directly to management. An all-day onboarding intensive program is conducted quarterly for new hires on the R.I.S.E. principles. A version of the onboarding program was also created for newly elected officials. City Manager Ana M. Garcia, ICMA-CM, said, “The people that we recruit, promote and retain must be aligned with R.I.S.E. When we are dealing with anyone, and they have a need, we are very responsive and respectful. If there’s a challenge, or an issue, we work toward a solution. That’s what we do.”

INVESTING IN EMPLOYEES

Dania Beach invested in employee benefits to establish the City as a premier employer. Enhancements included:

▸ A city-paid long-term disability policy

▸ City-paid life insurance coverage increase from $50,000 to up to $200,000

▸ Lower health insurance costs over the last two years, while maintaining the same benefit levels

▸ Financial benefit for employees who opt out of city health insurance

▸ Employee intranet and self-service portal for documents, information and improved transparency

▸ Employee loan program

▸ Additional city-paid holiday

▸ Special pay plan for retiring employees to help with leave payout tax implications

▸ A second retirement benefit in lieu of paying into Social Security for part-time employees.

An aerial view of Dania Beach.

Photo courtesy of City of Dania Beach

Training opportunities focused on customer service and technical skills and an employee evaluation program that focused on R.I.S.E. principles was created. The City also involved employees in the R.I.S.E. policy creation and implemented a R.I.S.E. library to further employee education and professional development.

Dania Beach uses nationwide searches to recruit team members and uses private sector human resources standards to hire, retain and promote individuals dedicated to excellence in customer service. Employees were incentivized to attend a spring employee wellness event with over 30 vendors, where they learned about their health biometrics. The City will also be hosting a formal Employee R.I.S.E. Recognition and Appreciation Event.

The City has also focused on work-life balance and continued a hybrid work schedule.

Dania Beach Pier.

Photo courtesy of City of Dania Beach

INVESTING IN THE CITY

Dania Beach has become a live-work-play city. The City has invested $100 million in the parks, beach and citywide infrastructure in the past three years. Deputy City Manager Candido Sosa-Cruz, ICMA-CM, said, “We have a very inviting beach with a unique pier that is 1,000 feet long. You can fish, watch the sunset and enjoy the natural environment such as turtle- and bird-watching. We have an abundance of entertainment opportunities such as the Dania Beach Casino, art galleries, the shops at Dania Pointe as well as great dining and recreation citywide. In Dania Beach, we really pay attention to the details.”

The retention and overall happiness of team members have resulted in strategic growth for the City “on the rise”:

▸ Public Art Program funded by developer contributions

▸ Beach Master Plan implementation

▸ $45 million Parks Master Plan implementation

▸ $40.2 million in infrastructure improvements

▸ Citywide stormwater improvements

▸ New restaurant coming soon on the beach.

The “Let LOVE Guide Your Way” sculpture, created by South Florida Public Artist Lloyd Goradesky, is located outside City Hall to spread the message of love and kindness in the community.

Photo courtesy of City of Dania Beach

The secret is proactive and dedicated team members operating under the R.I.S.E. principles, who work tirelessly to see the city they love succeed.

Linda Gonzalez is the Chief Human Resources Officer for the City of Dania Beach.

DANIA BEACH RECOGNIZED

The City of Dania Beach created a Safety Committee and won the “Safety and Risk Management Member of the Year” award from the Public Risk Underwriters of Florida – Loss Control Department. The City also won its first Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA) award for excellence in financial reporting and budget.