By GARETT VALCOURT
During its March 19 meeting, the Ponce de Leon Town Council conducted official business highlighting both procedural governance and statewide recognition, as Mayor Shane Busby and Council Member Laura Johnson were re-administered their oaths of office while the town’s water system received a prestigious environmental award.
Oaths Re-administered
At the outset of the meeting, Mayor Shane Busby and Council Member Laura Johnson formally reaffirmed their oaths of office, a step taken to ensure full compliance with Florida statutory requirements governing public officials.
Under Florida law, all elected municipal officials are required to take and properly file a prescribed oath affirming their support for the U.S. and Florida Constitutions before entering or continuing in office.
Water Department Recognized for Excellence
In addition to the procedural matters, the Town of Ponce de Leon Water System was formally recognized for operational excellence, receiving the 2025 Plant Operations Excellence Award from the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP).
According to the certificate presented during the meeting, the award recognizes the town’s “outstanding operation through dedicated professionalism” in providing safe drinking water. The honor aligns with the DEP’s broader mission of ensuring clean and reliable drinking water for residents across Florida.
The award was presented as part of the DEP’s “Focus on Change” seminar series held in Panama City, highlighting top-performing utilities that demonstrate excellence in compliance, maintenance, and operational standards.
State recognition programs such as this emphasize consistent regulatory compliance, system reliability, and proactive management which are key components in safeguarding public health through municipal water systems.
Staff Report 