JIM ELENSKY PROMOTED TO CITY MANAGER
Haines City's new City Manager is no stranger to moving up the ranks of government. He did just that when he worked for Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd and during his years in Haines City government.
Jim Elensky started his career in Florida law enforcement in 1988 with the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office as a deputy and soon transferred to the Polk County Sheriff's Office. Since his first promotion in 1999, Jim continued to receive promotions expanding his area of responsibilities while providing him experience in senior leadership roles.
Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd said he was pleased to hear about Elensky’s promotion. “I am proud not only to call Jim Elensky a professional and trusted colleague, but also my friend. I have known him for over three decades — he is one of the most skillful and accomplished public service leaders I know,” Sheriff Grady Judd said. “He goes above and beyond to make a difference in the lives of the people he serves. The city commission and citizens of Haines City are in good hands having Jim at the helm.”
In Haines City, Jim also worked his way up through the organization. The city has tapped him to hold the positions of deputy police chief, police chief, interim city manager (twice), public safety director and now, city manager. He was named city manager June 9, 2022 in a unanimous vote of the Haines City Commission.
During his years in the Police Department the city was named one of the 50 safest cities in Florida three years in a row. Haines City was the only Polk County city on the list. Safewise, which compiles the list, uses data from the Federal Bureau of Investigation to calculate its annual report on the safest cities in the Sunshine State.
Jim’s education has prepared him with many valuable tools for leading an organizational structure as complex as Haines City. Elensky holds a Bachelor of Science in Professional Aeronautics from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, and a master’s degree in management from Warner University. Elensky is a graduate of the prestigious Florida State University Certified Public Manager (CPM) program.
“My 23 years in leadership positions and my education have taught me that customer service should be the overarching principle of government. Citizens do not have a choice about where they can shop for government services. In order for our city to be successful, our focus needs to always be on providing the best government experience possible,” he said.
“I know there will be plenty more for me to learn but I am ready to put my leadership skills to work. I am grateful to the Haines City Commission for having confidence in me. I have always strived to work hard and be the best at whatever I am asked to do,” Jim said. “I will continue to do that for the citizens of Haines City in my new role,” he added.