NEW YEAR, SAME US (BUT BETTER)
by Matt Mueller, Town ManagerNew Year, Same Us (But Better!)
It's a new year! Usually, this means tons of resolutions and phrases like "New Year, New Me." As I was pondering my own resolutions and things ahead in 2023, I thought about what the upcoming year will bring for us as the Town of Little Elm in terms of "new "
We have a few exciting projects that will begin this year, including the redevelopment of Cottonwood Park This project will re-invigorate the park, adding trails, multiple pavilions, accessible playgrounds, and interpretative and permanent signage It will also include open lawn areas and improved parking.
We will also see work progress on our fourth fire station and northern police substation, designed to help serve the northern areas of Town. This facility will be located near Spiritas Ranch at FM 720 and US 380.
We are also anticipating the completion of The Lawn at The Lakefront™ This park is located in the heart of Little Elm, next to Tinman Social and close to other Lakefront™ amenities The Lawn™ will feature green space and an entertainment venue and will be the future home of many town events, including farmer's markets, concerts, yoga classes, and more
Finally, we're working hard to expand and upgrade our special events to make them bigger and better for the community and visitors We're looking to increase value and experiences and further establish Little Elm and The Lakefront™ as the premier destination district in North Texas.
JANUARY 2023 Sailing with the direction of the wind IN THIS ISSUE 1-2 1 ARTICLE: NEW YEAR, SAME US (BUT BETTER) SPECIAL INTEREST GROUPS EVENT CALENDAR/EMPLOYEE SPOTLIGHT MILESTONES 2
4 WELCOME ABOARD 8 PICTURES & GOOD NEWS THE COMPASS 6-7 MUNIS MINUTE 5 WELLNESS PROGRAM EVENTS & INFO 3 9-11
As far as resolutions, I believe we can resolve to operate with integrity in all transactions and actions, to continue to deliver the highest quality customer service possible to both our external stakeholders and each other, to be efficient in our work and processes, and to be innovative in solving problems, improving procedures, and the development of unique events, programs, and partnerships as we work with our culture of Servant Leadership in mind.
So while the year is new, we're still us...but even better than before.
MUNIS MINUTE
2
SPECIAL INTEREST GROUPS EVENT CALENDAR
EMPLOYEE SPOTLIGHT
3
Performance
Treatment
Wastewater
Coordinator
Budget &
Specialist Shane Urrutia graduated with his Masters in Public Administration from the University of North Texas. Wastewater
Operator Bryan Tatum received his first certification. He's now a Class C
Treatment Operator. Emergency
Travis Calendine received the Member of the Year Award from the International Emergency Drone Organization. The Finance Department received the GFOA Finance Award for the Annual Finance Report for 2021. This is the twelfth consecutive year Finance has been awarded this honor.
WELLNESS PROGRAM EVENTS & INFO 4 Visit www.littleelmwellnessprogram.com for more Wellness Program information
ABOARD!
NEW TEAM MEMBERS
Betty Pamplin
Eric Nguyen
Edward Cropp
Susan Hauser
Tyler Adair
Joshua Adams
Caden Britten
Blake Hudgins
Chandler Lawson
Blair McDermett
Brandon Roecker
Marco Sandoval
Kylie Skipper
Joshua TenBroeck
Francisco Valdez
Joshua Walworth
Bailee Alexander Ryan Bowerman-Bell
Samantha Towery
Keegan Byrd
Denzel Almonte
Jason Hansen
Blake Jameson
Jakob Smith
Cheyenne Smith
STAY CONNECTED
EMPLOYEE SMS TEXT PROGRAM
The Town offers a SMS text notification program to increase communication to team members.
This program allows us to push updates regarding Town events, Benefit/Wellness Information, FYIs, and general information that employees may find valuable.
The program uses our Little Elm Alerts platform, Genasys, to send SMS notifications to your cell phone. Employees must opt-in to the text message program by signing up here. If you do not opt-in, you will not receive SMS text notifications. Scan the QR code to the left to sign up or visit https://qrco.de/bdIFEd.
WELCOME
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MILESTONES
BIRTHDAYS
Christopher Landrio 1/2
Chris Wright 1/3
Richard Johnson 1/5
Winter Johnson 1/6
Marcus Maxie 1/7
Michelle Stein 1/7
Cory Barron 1/10
Susan Hauser 1/10
Edgar Pena 1/12
Camden Allen 1/14
Seth Blackard 1/14
Caden Kollasch 1/15
Chris Frazer 1/16
Judy Wilson 1/19
Rachel St. Pe' 1/20
Isabella Valerio 1/20
Dylan Green 1/24
Roger Konieczny 1/25
Trinity Britt 1/26
Gabriela Garcia 1/26
Shane Mellina 1/26
Corrie Herp 1/27
David Routt 1/27
Jamie Davis 1/29
Christopher Jacobs 1/31
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MILESTONES ANNIVERSARIES
Johnny Griffith 20 years
Martin Zamora 18 years
Billy Talley 18 years
Larry Denison 18 years
Adam Oldaker 10 years
Natasha Roach 10 years
Cathy McNamara 9 years
Austin Roach 5 years
Fred Gibbs 5 years
Kevin Robinson 5 years
Corey Gray 5 years
Claudio Coronado 4 years
Albert Han 4 years
Kevin Swindle 3 years
Andres Armentero 2 years
Stanley Smith 2 years
Cody Green 2 years Ramiro Garza 1 year
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The first tenet of our Code of Ethics is "Be dedicated to the philosophy of Servant Leadership and the values of Integrity, Customer Service, Efficiency, and Innovation."
This tenet is listed first because it sets the approach to how we look at ethics in the organization The principle further states:
"Our organizational culture centers on Servant Leadership, meaning that we believe service to others is more important than our individual needs We are a values-driven organization that incorporates the values of Integrity, Customer Service, Efficiency, and Innovation into everything we do."
Our culture and values are woven into the fabric of this organization. Our ethical tenets, behavioral expectations, and all other aspects of the Town are truly "Who We Are."
Dedicating ourselves to our culture and values should make it easy to follow the right ethical path, as many breaches of ethics can be attributed to selfish actions.
Focusing on what is good for others and how we should serve our community is an excellent start to our Code of Ethics and starting point for our ethical actions
THE COMPASS 8
YOUR PICTURES & GOOD NEWS
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Director of Public Works Jason Shroyer and his wife took a trip to Niagara Falls, Canada!
Police Chief Rodney Harrison and Town Manager Matt Mueller in a Hungry Hungry Hippo battle at the Christmas party.
Building Inspection and Development Services team members at a builder meeting.
Lifeguard Dillon E. took a pic with Santa and Mrs. Claus at Christmas at The Cove®.
10 YOUR
PICTURES & GOOD NEWS
Animal Services Officer Tamara Cervi share some amazing adoptions from their adoption event in December. Savanna was adopted after spending 131 days in the shelter. Kobe was adopted after 306 days!
Recreation Leader Ryan Sparks graduated from the Fire Academy and hopes to become a Little Elm firefighter!
YOUR PICTURES & GOOD NEWS
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Team members representing the Town at the Dallas Half-Marathon.
Police Officer Terron Morris on the left and Recreation Division Manager Andy Adams and Aquatics Division Manager Elissa Malone on the right at the Dallas Half