HOLMES BEACH – City officials and visiting city clerks paid tribute to Holmes Beach City Clerk Stacey Johnston during her final regular city commission meeting on Tuesday, Feb. 24.
Johnston is retiring and her last day on the job is Friday, March 6.
Recently hired Marina Hovious will take over the clerk’s duties long held by Johnston.
Making the drive from their respective cities, Sanibel City Clerk Scotty Lynn Kelly, Dade City City Clerk Angie Guy and St. Leo Town Administrator and City Clerk Andrea Calvert attended Johnston’s last city commission meeting.
Johnston began her career with the city in 2007, when she was hired as the deputy city clerk. She was named city clerk in 2011.
Kelly, who serves as the Southwest Director for the Florida Association of City Clerks (FACC) read aloud a resolution from the FACC that was signed by Association President Elizabeth Garcia-Beckford.
The resolution expresses the association’s appreciation and gratitude for the many years of distinguished service and dedication Johnston exhibited during her 18 years with the city of Holmes Beach; and her 41 years of public service that date back to her earlier municipal work in her home state of Kansas.
The resolution notes Johnston joined the FACC in 2007, received her Certified Municipal Clerk designation in 1988, received her Advanced Academy Education designation in 1991 and received her Master Municipal Clerk designation in 2014.
The resolution notes Johnston served on the FACC Board of Directors and various committees from 2019-2023 and served as FACC president in 2021 and 2022.
“Stacey Johnston is a respected leader and mentor, providing invaluable guidance to her colleagues within FACC and the city of Holmes Beach,” the resolution says.
After Kelly finished reading the resolution, Johnston said, “Thank you Scotty Lynn for being here; and thanks for all of you for coming. It’s been a long ride. It’s been a great ride. I never would have guessed that I’d be in beautiful Holmes Beach, in Florida. It doesn’t get any better than that. I love the staff here.”
Johnston said she loved working for Mayor Judy Titsworth and former mayor Bob Johnson, who was also in attendance.
“The committees that we had and the residents here are absolutely amazing. We’ve got some talent in this city and I’m proud to say that I’ve been part of it,” Johnston said.
Titsworth praised Johnston for her ability to get along with everyone.
“You make everyone feel right at home,” Titsworth said. “She worked so hard to keep all of us in line and keep us from doing anything wrong.”
Titsworth said she’ll miss Johnston but she’s glad she can enjoy retirement after working her entire adult life.
Johnston, an east Manatee County resident, said she doesn’t have any big plans as to how she’ll spend her retirement, but she looks forward to spending more time riding the tandem bicycle she and her husband, Jeff, enjoy riding.
A farewell party for Johnston will take place on Thursday, March 5, at the Fifty Three Fifty The Pourhouse in Holmes Beach at 5 p.m. The Pourhouse is located at 5350 Gulf Drive.
