City Finance Administrator to Retire After 9 Years in Office

Photo by Tony Pernas

After nearly nine years of dedicated service, Everglades City Finance Administrator Tammie Pernas will retire on December 30. Since joining the City in January 2018, Tammie has played an important role in managing municipal finances and helping secure funding for major infrastructure improvements that will benefit the community for generations.

One of the most significant accomplishments during her tenure has been the City’s success in obtaining more than $51.4 million in state and federal grant funding. For a small municipality with a limited tax base, this represents an extraordinary investment in the community’s future.

Tammie has been actively involved in both preparing grant applications and managing the funding once awarded. This work requires navigating complicated application procedures, developing project budgets, tracking expenditures, preparing financial reports, and ensuring compliance with state and federal requirements. The process can continue for years after a grant is awarded, requiring careful financial oversight and extensive documentation.

These grants have helped support critical improvements to the city’s water and wastewater infrastructure, hurricane recovery efforts, stormwater management, and public facilities. Many of these projects would have been financially impossible for a community the size of Everglades City without substantial outside funding.

Tammie’s tenure has coincided with a particularly challenging period in the city’s history. Hurricanes, recurring flooding, aging infrastructure, and rising construction costs have placed increasing demands on municipal government. Throughout these challenges, she has helped the city navigate complex financial requirements while maintaining essential services.

Much of a municipal finance administrator’s work takes place behind the scenes. Preparing annual budgets, coordinating audits, processing expenditures, managing grants, and maintaining financial accountability rarely attract public attention. Yet these responsibilities are essential to the successful operation of local government.

In a small community like Everglades City, employees frequently take on responsibilities extending well beyond their official job descriptions. Tammie’s institutional knowledge and understanding of the city’s financial needs have made her an important resource for elected officials and fellow employees.

As Tammie prepares for retirement, Everglades City continues to pursue major investments in road elevation, drainage improvements, public facilities, and infrastructure designed to protect the community from future storms. The funding secured and financial groundwork established during her tenure will continue to benefit residents for many years.

While the financial accomplishments are impressive, Tammie’s contributions extend beyond dollars and cents. Her years of service reflect a commitment to helping a small community meet major challenges.

On December 30, Tammie will close an important chapter in her professional life, leaving behind a lasting legacy of public service and contributions to the future of Everglades City.

Congratulations, Tammie, on your retirement, and thank you for nearly nine years of dedicated service to Everglades City.