St. Lucie County, Fla., Administrator Faye Outlaw is County Leader of the Year
American City & County magazine has selected St. Lucie County, Florida, Administrator Faye Outlaw as its 2011 County Leader of the Year. The magazine presents the award annually to recognize outstanding leadership in county government. American City & County will present the award to Outlaw at the 2011 National Association of Counties Annual Conference and Exposition, July 15-19, in Portland, Ore. A profile of Outlaw and her contributions to St. Lucie County is featured in the July issue of the magazine and is online at www.americancityandcounty.com.
The County Leader of the Year Award recognizes Outlaw’s efforts to address the county’s economic challenges and reduce unemployment during the recession, as well as position it for a solid future. She has streamlined the county’s operations while maintaining most services and even increasing some through creative partnerships with community groups. However, when services needed to be reduced to keep a balanced budget, Outlaw clearly communicated those reasons to residents. She also has changed how the county budgets and plans for expenses so that recurring expenses are supported by recurring revenue.
To reduce the unemployment rate in the county and help support green business growth, Outlaw joined with other local leaders to establish a Green Collar Task Force to train workers in green-collar building/construction jobs. She also helped institute the Solar & Energy Loan Fund, which provides low-interest loans to residents and small businesses that invest in energy-efficiency enhancements and renewable energy.
“Understandably, most local governments are having a difficult time just maintaining the status quo,” said Bill Wolpin, editorial director of American City & County. “However, it takes a dynamic leader like Faye Outlaw to make smart but tough decisions that will not only relieve the immediate budgetary pressure but leave her community better positioned for the future.”
The subscribers of American City & County submit nominations for the County Leader of the Year Award. The magazine’s editorial staff selects the award’s recipient each year.
American City & County has been the voice of state and local government since 1909. The magazine serves a nationwide audience of city and county officials who are charged with developing and implementing local government policy, programs, and projects. American City & County is published monthly by Penton Media. For more information about the magazine, visit www.americancityandcounty.com.