The Florida Planning and Zoning Association named Manatee County Commission Chair Betsy Benac the Outstanding Elected Official for 2015.

Benac received the award on June 12 during the group’s 63rd Annual Conference which was hosted by the Gulf Coast Chapter which represents Manatee and Sarasota counties.

Each year the FPZA bestows the award on a local, state or federal elected official who champions sound planning practices and accomplishes positive gains in areas of smart growth, environmental preservation, sustainable development or equity planning.

“I’m very honored to be recognized by my peers by this award,” said Benac, who was a planner for Manatee County from 1983 to 1994 before joining the private sector in a similar capacity. “The FPZA has been a longtime advocacy group for good planning in Florida, so it means a lot to me.”

Courtney Mendez, president of the FPZA and senior planner for the City of Sarasota, said it was an honor to recognize Benac on behalf of the association.

“I have had the pleasure of working with Betsy as a colleague, mentee and friend at various times over the past 10 years,” Mendez said. “Betsy has also been a longtime supporter of FPZA and our missions of education, cooperation and engagement regarding planning and zoning matters. As a Commissioner, she brings a tremendous understanding of planning, zoning and development issues to the table, as well as a dedication to community and service to which we should all aspire. This award serves as a recognition and thank you for those efforts.”

Florida Planning and Zoning Association is a 501(c)(3) organization that represents public and private sector planners, members of planning and zoning boards and other allied professionals in Florida.

For more information, please visit: http://www.mymanatee.org/home/government/county-administration/news-release/News-releases-2015/0619_BenacAward.html