FRENCH LICK, IN. – Burns Harbor Parks Director Kim Burton received the 2016 Ivan H. Brinegar Municipal Management Award from the Indiana Association of Cities and Towns (IACT). Burton received the award on Wednesday, Oct. 5 during the Presidents’ Reception at the 2016 IACT Annual Conference & Exhibition in French Lick.
The Ivan H. Brinegar Municipal Management Award is presented to an appointed municipal official with a minimum of 10 years of city or town service who displays strong leadership, and contributions to the community and serves as a role model to citizens and other municipal officials.
As a 20-year veteran parks director, Burton has overseen much growth and improvement in the department’s amenities and programming. She has ensured programming for all ages and worked diligently to see that Burns Harbor residents understand the resources available to them. Her commitment to Burns Harbor extends beyond the parks department, however. As a school bus driver for the Duneland School Corporation for 17 years, Burton created a transitional program for preschoolers to visit the corporation’s bus barn for a tour and bus ride prior to entering kindergarten.
“It’s exciting to see parks directors and projects being recognized so prominently in the IACT awards program this year. The commitment of Ms. Burton and so many of her peers exemplifies what’s right with municipal government and their efforts to create quality places throughout Indiana,” said IACT Executive Director and CEO Matt Greller.
The Indiana Association of Cities and Towns (IACT) is a coalition of municipal officials who seek to improve the quality of life in Indiana through effective government, and is a member of the National League of Cities. Founded in 1891, IACT is one of the oldest state municipal organizations in the country, with 470 cities and towns as members. IACT advocates for municipalities as the official voice of municipal government in Indiana, and promotes good government through education, training and leadership.