Cutler Bay's Public Works Department has racked up four major awards this year, headlined by a national floodplain management honor no Florida city or town had won before.
National Floodplain Award a First for Florida Municipality
The Association of State Floodplain Managers presented the town with the James Lee Witt Local Award for Excellence in Floodplain Management at a ceremony in Milwaukee on June 4. The award, established in 1986 and named for former FEMA Director James Lee Witt, has gone to only three Florida organizations in its 40-year history. The previous two recipients were Sarasota County in 2002 and Hillsborough County in 2006, both county governments rather than municipalities.
Mayor Tim Meerbott said in the town's June 11 announcement that the Public Works Department "continues to deliver projects that make a real difference in our neighborhoods."
The town's floodplain work dates back more than 11 years. Cutler Bay adopted its Floodplain Mitigation Plan on May 20, 2015, and revised it Nov. 17, 2021, with support from a standing advisory committee focused on reducing flood risk and protecting residents and property.
Roundabout Project Wins State and Regional Honors
The SW 200th Street and SW 103rd Avenue traffic roundabout project earned two additional awards: the American Public Works Association Florida Chapter's Project of the Year in Transportation for projects under $2 million, and the APWA South Florida Branch Transportation Project of the Year.
The project transformed a high-volume residential intersection near a pedestrian bridge used by families and students. Crews installed a modern roundabout along with upgraded drainage, sidewalks, ADA ramps, resurfacing, signage and landscaping. According to the town's announcement, the project was completed on time and more than $80,000 under budget with no safety incidents during construction.
Two Public Works Staffers Recognized Individually
Public Works Director Alfredo Quintero Jr. was named the 2026 Public Works Director of the Year by the APWA Florida Chapter at the Florida Public Works Expo in Tampa, held April 6-9. The peer-voted award recognizes career excellence and community service among professionals with more than 20 years of experience. Quintero has served as president of the APWA South Florida Branch and has overseen more than 30 award-winning projects since joining the town in 2012.
Cassandra Silva, administrative coordinator in the Public Works Department, received the APWA South Florida Branch's Exceptional Performance Award for Administrative Support. Silva, who has more than 15 years of government service, was recognized for modernizing internal processes, improving coordination between departments and strengthening fiscal oversight.
Town Manager Cites Breadth of Department's Work
Town Manager Rafael Casals said the awards reflect the breadth of the department's work, noting that staff are focused on serving the community "with care, professionalism, and accountability."
The town's Floodplain Mitigation Plan Advisory Committee continues to meet as needed. Residents can direct questions to [email protected].
