Resolution congratulating Mike Schumate on retirement

55:06Right. Are we doing the Michael Schumache resolution? Yes resolution. Okay. And is Michael Schumate in the audience?

55:14Oh the

55:14right-hiding in there.

55:16He was hiding. I didn't see him either.

55:23Oh, that's so nice.

55:25Very nice. Even Spencer came back. Make sure he

55:29Is he there? I don't see him. Oh I see him.

55:35Yeah, I think it's a good idea. Even Spencer's in the house, those are like big.

55:39It is.

55:41This is the only people want to see you go. Is that the deal?

55:45They're working hard.

55:47All right.

55:47Resolution please.

55:48All right. Resolution number twenty-six dash zero six one, a resolution by the Board of County Commissioners of Pasco County, Florida, congratulating Michael Schumate on his retirement and commending his long I'm sorry, commending his outstanding service to the citizens and animals of Pasco County. Whereas Michael Schumate has served the Pasco County Administrator with distinction for 12 years, demonstrating visionary leadership, unwavering dedication, and a deep

56:19commitment to animal welfare. And whereas, under Mr. Schumach's leadership, PCAS has achieved the sus has achieved and sustained a live release A live release rate of over 90% since 2019, reflecting his team's tireless pursuit of adoptions, rescues, and other life-saving outcomes. And Ras, Mr. Schumach spearheaded numerous initiatives and life-saving programs through progressive and driven focus on growing the organization through

56:49direct engagement with community stakeholders and raising the county's attention to The needs of the people and pets in Pasco County, such as enhancing the vaccination clinic to include heartworm preventative, flea and tick control, and other non-prescribed animal care items. And RAS, as he led transformative shelter improvements such as new dog play play yards, outdoor kennels, and volunteer walking path, a catio? Is that out? A cadio for oh a cadio for community

57:19cats, upgraded cat kennels, perimeter fencing, dog kennels, soundproofing, and enhanced safety features for staff and officers.

57:36And RAS, he secured over 600,000 in grants and donations from national organizations. To support spay and neuter surgeries, vaccine clinics, disaster relief and shelter enhancements. And RES, Mr. Schumate cultivated partnerships with veterinary schools, technical colleges, and national organizations, hosted regional shelter director meetings, and led PCIS to receive Tier 1 designation in the HU in the Human Animal Support Services Initiative.

58:06And he championed ordinance amendments to ban retail sales of dogs, cats, and rabbits and expanded PCIS's social media and bilingual outreach efforts to meet the needs of a growing and diverse community.

58:28Fostering a culture of inclusion, professionalism, and development, resulting in numerous certifications, degrees, and awards, including the 2021 National Animal Care and Control Association Agency of the Year Award. And REST Mr. Schuma's leadership earned two International Points of Light Service Enterprise Awards, 15 Florida Animal Protection and Advocacy Association Awards, and five National Animal Care and Control Association Awards, including Animal Control Officer of the Year, Leader

58:58of the Year, and the prestigious Bill Liam Memorial Award. Now, therefore, be it resolved by the Board of County Commissioners of Pasco County, Florida, that said board hereby congratulates Michael Schumate on his retirement and commends him for his exemplary service, leadership, and dedication to the animals and citizens of Pasco County. County. His contributions have led an indelible mark on the community and will be remembered with gratitude and admiration. Done and resolved in regular session with a quorum present and voting this ninth day of December, 2025.

59:30All in favor say aye.

59:33Commissioner Oakley. Yes, sir. Mike it's it's been a while but I I think you're too young to be uh tiring

59:42on.

59:43I know we had uh commissioner come out of uh Citrus County one time, I met him over there to go through the facilities and that you made in Pasco County and all the changes that have been made. They actually are uh right at putting that new system and building and all in citrus county. because of the w good work they saw here in Pasco because of what you've done why you've been here. So I thank you from the bottom of my heart for all that you did for us. Appreciate it.

1:00:12Yes. Commissioner Weightman. Thank you, Chair. Congratulations. I um

1:00:18I always wonder if I'll ever get to retire one of these days and when I see him I'm a bit envious, but no, I something tells me you're not gonna be sitting on the sidelines too long. I see Spencer back there grinning and probably looking at poaching a few of our our teammates there just so we're watching Spencer. No. Congratulations on all the great work and your team. You always you know, a you've always advocated for your team and for y'all out of here, you I'm sure you sure you know that you had a fantastic leader and Mike and um you know, you couldn't left the department in

1:00:49in any better in any better better shape. So So it's a testament to you and your work and dedication here to the animals of Pasco and the citizens of Pasco County. So well deserved and congratulations. Thank you. Mr. Starkey.

1:01:02Um, wow. It seems like you just got here. But um hate to see you go, but what an accomplishment you have uh achieved and you're leaving a great legacy. Um I'm sorry we didn't get that building yet, but we're working on it. And um just great great luck in your next endeavor. Or in retirement or whatever your your next plans are. Thanks so much for serving us so well. Appreciate

1:01:27it. Commissioner Yeager.

1:01:29Well, congratulations on your retirement. Thank you to your service for Pasco County. And I'm sure you're gonna come back and visit, right?

1:01:35Oh yeah.

1:01:36Yeah. Bring dog treats. And I was so impressed when I when I saw the facility. I'm like, those dogs and cats are so spoiled there. And I always tell people what if they say anything, I'm like, go take a tour. I mean, who gets frozen peanut butter and all these treats all these times a day? What you guys do there is very impressive, so thank you. Congratulations.

1:01:57Uh Mike, I and I tell you, your leadership through the years have been absolutely phenomenal. Uh we had some very strong animal groups out there that were not happy with some of the things that were going on, et cetera, and the way you ride that ship was just absolutely amazing. From we had probably a couple of years we had calls and calls and calls and to what you've done now and the team you put together, even though you lost Spencer. I don't know what that happened there.

1:02:19I

1:02:19know. Congratulations, Spencer. But um Really Mike, what you've done with the people there. I mean I I I just can't be thankful enough, and I know the people are too. And you've earned your retirement, so I want you to go enjoy it and have a great time.

1:02:31Thank you. Mike

1:02:31Carbella? Yeah, thank you. And and Mike, if I could just pile onto the accolades. I just want to thank you um for really embracing that leadership philosophy of people, purpose and performance. Um I know the people mean a lot. I know the animals mean a lot, but we know that through the people you're you're you're you're accomplishing the mission. So you've you've led this department and have laid a fantastic foundation and just um you know proud of of the time I've been able to Of work with you. I know I've learned a lot since being in this role, but even prior to that. So you've done a lot, and we

1:03:01just thank you for that and wish you the best in retirement. Kathy?

1:03:07Kathy Pearson, Assistant County Administrator Public Services. Wow, this is um I'm a little emotional here because Mike has been by my side since I got here. And you're right, Commissioner Mariano was very, very challenging when we got here. Commissioner Starkey, you know that too. And with Mike's leadership, he has turned this challenging animal services into most one of the most award-winning animal services. And I can Thank him from the bottom of my heart with that. And it

1:03:37was truly his leadership. He loves his job. He loves his family. He talks about his family all the time. He loves his work family. He protects them all the time. Believe me, I've been in battles with him on that. So and he Unbelievable when it comes to budgets and writing awards and giving kudos to where it needs to be. And I can tell you, each of my directors, we have learned something special from this man. And I'm proud to call him my friend still, too. And I just want to share

1:04:07with you a story that I think really sums up who Mike is. And it was a few years down the line, and we were, you know, he was really working on getting. And the reputation and all that back. And he says, geez, I just can't keep employees for some reason. And he said, Let me share this with you. He said, I had to change my philosophy. And I go, What are you talking about? He goes, I'd be in the interviews and I'd ask these folks, do you love animals? And of course they love animals. He said, But they didn't love people. So he said you you have to love people

1:04:37to be in this job. And so he changed his whole philosophy and now he asks people, Do you love people? And and that to me stuck with me, and I use that in all my interviews now because you the the people are the ones that adopt the animals, right? So um Mike, this sums it up for me. You know, Ronald Reagan quote is the greatest leader is not necessarily the one who does great things. things. A leader is the one who gets the people to do great things. And that's what you have done. And from the bottom of my heart, we're gonna miss you so

1:05:07much. And but I know he's already told me he wants to volunteer at Parks and Wreck and Ride the Lawnmower. So so my congratulations. And the floor is yours, my friend. Hi

1:05:18Mike.

1:05:21Uh well I hope I've got a voice here. I um First let me just say that uh been very blessed. You know, God's been good to me. Uh When I first got here there was a lot to overcome and uh I sent up a lot of prayers and got a lot of good answers and a lot of good support. So I I praise praise God for that. It's been my honor to serve uh this commission, uh the people of

1:05:51Pasco County. It's been a great privilege to serve with so many people. who dedicated themselves to animal welfare out there. And helped us along. Um One of the great supports we've had is from our Uh Friends of Animal Services Group. Uh Michael Cox, Darlene Green are here today representing them and I appreciate them being here but uh They funded us and pulled us out of a lot of good things, uh a lot of good things that we could afford.

1:06:22uh to make improvements out at the shelter when we couldn't get grants. Uh we had you know, tight budgets, it was difficult, but uh they always came through for us. And I I so much appreciated their friendship. Encouragement. And uh I do want to say that. You know, for all the times that I've came before the board. Uh you have all been very Uh supportive. And Just a lot of encouragement. Not just for me, but for my team. Yeah, uh when

1:06:52you support us for various things. Kathy has been absolutely great to work with. Been with her 11 years. Talk about work family. Uh the other directors. in the public services branch, uh we are like family. We're out the other day and Almost killed each other, but uh We have an annual outing. We played paintball this time. I think I'm just able to walk again today. So uh but it's

1:07:22been great working with all of them. Sorry. And uh and I've appreciated that. I got my family here with me, my wife Jeanette. Uh daughter Liz and daughter Laura. And I appreciate all the support that they've provided me over these twelve years. Um They've really been encouraging as well and I appreciate that so much. Uh Have Spencer here with me today, Spencer Conover, who uh was going to be uh my secession plan, but we had other he

1:07:52had other plans, and I I I'm very proud of him. He's now the uh Chief uh operating officer for the National Animal Care and Control Association. Wow. So um

1:08:09And Pasco he's moved up to the national stage and I know that he'll be an up and coming leader in animal welfare in this nation. So I'm very proud of him. And I really thank him for the eight years he gave us here at Pasco. It was amazing. Um a lot of the things red on there uh I attribute to Uh his leadership uh uh as well and uh quick story on that when I was interviewing for the job he confessed to me that he got fired for being a poor leader at his last Yeah. I

1:08:40said well I'm not hiring you for your leadership right now. I said we can train you here in Pasco for leadership because we have a Pretty good leadership program in Pasco. And um But I wanted him for for all his knowledge of the industry and all his connections that he had and the fact that he had a degree in communications and I did not like standing in front of the cameras anymore. So he was gonna do that for me and he did a outstanding job of it. And for all the people that work with me and for me. Um At

1:09:11animal services. The managers I have out there

1:09:17They're the top in this industry, and I appreciate them so much. Uh They are family, and they've suffered. through things with me and and um We've laughed and loved and and cared for a lot of animals out there. But for everybody. Just thank you. It's been a great twelve years. And uh appreciate this recognition. Thank you.

1:10:03Come on, team. Come on up for pictures. Uh maybe stay down. Maybe one or two. And then if you I'll leave, I'll show you. Okay.

1:10:19Oh what do you know? We cannot change people. And then

1:10:23we'll

1:10:23get you guys

1:10:25and we'll

1:10:32We've been here since I've been here before. We need a little toilet. Okay. Yeah.

1:10:40Can I get some of you over here to go over here?

1:10:45Can I get like two more of you to come over here?

1:10:54All right, ready? Three, two, three, two, four.

1:11:00Do you want

1:11:00me to just look at your thing?

1:11:01Yeah.

1:11:05Yeah, no. Oh, I like it.

1:11:24Congratulations on the

1:11:25Yep. Congrats, Mike.

1:11:34I'd just like to say thank you for our animal services team. You guys are doing a phenomenal job. Please keep up the great work you're doing. We appreciate you.