Wellington’s Tanya Quickel Honored By The Florida Association Of Special Districts
Outstanding Leadership BY M. DENNIS TAYLOR
Wellington’s Director of Administrative & Financial Services and Assistant Village Manager Tanya Quickel was recently honored by the Florida Association of Special Districts (FASD) as the group’s Most Valuable Member. At the same time, Wellington’s Acme Improvement District earned the District of the Year award from the organization. Quickel’s award is presented to an FASD member who has demonstrated commitment, contribution, leadership and support of the association over many years. Quickel’s hard work during her time with the association is evidence of that dedication. In Wellington, Quickel’s responsibilities include the management of the annual operating budget, along with strengthening and aligning administrative and financial functions with the village’s core missions. She oversees a broad range of departments, including finance, purchasing and contracting, budget, information technology and communications, and she is frequently seen at council meetings presenting budgets and financial information. To understand the acknowledgement Quickel recently received, it is important to understand what she does for the village’s own special district, and maybe even what the special district does. One frequently asked question in Wellington is,“Just what is this Acme Improvement District fee on my tax bill?” Not only is it a special district operated by the village that keeps you safe from
“The stormwater management part is huge because of where we live. That is the focus for the Acme Improvement District.” — Tanya Quickel storm water, but it does it in such an exemplary manner that it won the District of the Year award for the entire state. Acme got its start in 1953 as the Acme Drainage District with a focus on flood control. When Wellington began as a residential community in the 1970s, Acme took on more responsibilities, such as managing parks, roads and recreation programs. Essentially, it was Wellington’s pre-incorporation government. “Acme was here first, and that’s how Wellington got started when it incorpo-
rated in 1995,” Quickel explained.“Acme still exists as a dependent district of Wellington, and it’s very important because of the stormwater management, roads and the infrastructure of the parks that it is responsible for.” Quickel should know.Although humble about her accomplishments, she is the immediate past president of the Florida Association of Special Districts and a member since 2005. She has long served as a board member and served as treasurer for several years before becoming president. She now provides guidance as a past president. “The stormwater management part is huge because of where we live. That is the focus for Acme, and that is a very critical part of the annual budgeting process and the infrastructure and big projects that we do every year,” she said. “These big projects go through Acme and are paid for by the assessment that taxpayers pay.” Quickel has been with the Village of Wellington since 2013. “I started just the end of July, so it will be seven and a half years. I lived in Wellington when I started and for many years afterward.Then my husband and I built some houses, and now I live right outside the village,” she said. Their home includes two furry pets. “I have an English bulldog named Elvis and a Boston terrier named Blue,” said Quickel, who enjoys reading, walking and traveling when she is not putting in long hours at the village. “I also love cooking.” wellington the magazine | december 2020 51