The 118th United States Congress honors retiring City Manager Frank Babinec

Coral Springs, Florida – On the same day that he was formally honored in the U.S. Congress, retiring Springs City Manager Frank Babinec was given a heartfelt tribute at City Hall on Wednesday by a number of political leaders.

At his last commission meeting, Babinec received the following tributes: Babinec became a lasting part of American history when U.S. House Representative Jared Moskowitz read a commendation of the 31-year public servant into the 118th U.S. Congress’s congressional record.

According to the congressional record, “Mr. Speaker [of the House], I rise today to recognize and commend the more than thirty years of dedicated public service of Mr. Frank Babinec.” As the city’s fire chief and, subsequently, its city manager, “Frank has demonstrated an unwavering commitment to the community’s safety, well-being, and prosperity over the years.”

According to Moskowitz’s congressional statements, “Frank helped the community during a tragic shooting that occurred at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in 2018.” “His leadership in the aftermath encouraged a sense of resilience and unity within the community by demonstrating his ability to provide calm and competent direction in times of crisis.”

Babinec, a native Floridian who has lived in Coral Springs since 1991, began volunteering for the city’s fire department in 1992 and was promoted to chief in 2014. He contributed to the agency’s expansion, modernization, and enhancement of operations and firefighter health. He was given the first-ever Lifetime Achievement Award in Firefighter Safety and Health by the Florida Fire Chiefs Association in 2020; the award is now titled in his honor.

According to Moskowitz, Babinec “led the city through unprecedented challenges, including the COVID-19 pandemic, and focused his commitment to the city’s health and economic stability” after being appointed city manager in 2019. “Mr. Speaker, I would like to invite my colleagues to join me in celebrating Mr. Frank Babinec’s outstanding public service career and his priceless contributions to the city of Coral Springs.”

Additionally, Moskowitz prepared a video message for Babinec, which was shown during the meeting on Wednesday.

“You have never backtracked from a challenge,” the congressman remarked. “You have a great legacy to show in the city that you helped shape, and you have always stepped up.”

Numerous prominent figures, including state representatives Christine Hunschofsky (D-Parkland) and Dan Daley (D-Coral Springs), as well as the mayor and commissioners of Parkland and Babinec’s coworkers on the City Hall dais, offered additional tributes to Babinec.

Regarding Babinec’s leadership following the Stoneman Douglas shooting, former Parkland mayor Hunschofsky remarked, “The situations he has had to lead through are situations that people usually never even have to experience, let alone be the guiding light to show people how they can get through it by bringing the humanity to make sure that every person who’s affected feels seen and supported through it.”

After saying goodbye to a local government that his coworkers and city dwellers claimed he led with selflessness and a steady hand, Babinec thanked the large number of family members and friends who attended on Wednesday.

“Serving you has been an honor,” Babinec remarked.