Blackfoot Mayor Marc Carroll honors three city employees with mayoral coins

During the city of Blackfoot’s annual employee picnic last week, Mayor Marc Carroll presented three employees — Planning and Zoning Administrator Julie Conan, Blackfoot police officer Steve Scott and James Winkler of the water department — with mayoral coins.

These coins are given to recognize exemplary achievements of employees or of a community member who has provided significant service to the community.

The following are the mayor’s words as he honored and thanked each employee for their contributions to the city.

Mayoral Coin recipient Julie Conan

“Julie Conan started in May 2022 as a Planning and Zoning Administrative Assistant. She was then promoted to the Planning and Zoning Administrator position in November 2022. She has worked tirelessly to correct the issues that plagued the Planning and Zoning Department plus moved it forward with implementation of Opengov software. She works hard every day to make sure city code is followed and is implemented fairly to everyone.

She is also training to become the city clerk and will move that position and department forward in becoming a better and stronger department.”

Mayoral Coin recipient James Winkler

“James has worked for the water department for just over one year. He comes to work with a positive attitude each day. James is always one of the first people to volunteer to take on a project. He has rapidly learned about water samples and performs the monthly and annual sample schedules. He has taken the initiative to learn about, troubleshoot and read the documentation for the new chlorine system.

This spring James acquired his Class B CDL and his Class 1 distribution license. He has also been proficient in learning and operating the backhoe. He actively looks for and suggests projects he would like to take to help our department and community. Whether it is helping fellow employees to study or practice for a test, doing mundane work, looking for solutions to a problem or giving feedback to supervisors, James strives to make the department and his colleagues better. James is an excellent asset to the city and very deserving of this honor.”

Mayoral Coin recipient Officer Steven Scott

“Officer Steven Scott has demonstrated dedication, initiative and a strong commitment to the safety and well-being of our community's children and educators in School District 55. Officer Scott taught the Blackfoot School District 55 staff many active shooter response courses. His instruction and hands-on drills have enhanced school personnel's awareness and confidence in responding to critical incidents. This proactive approach is evidence of his dedication to ensuring a secure learning environment for our students.

In addition to his instructional duties, Officer Scott has collaborated extensively with a company called Kits in Every Classroom, working to equip every classroom with essential trauma kits and safety equipment. His efforts have resulted in the acquisition of 21 trauma kits at Ridgecrest Elementary, 16 trauma kits at the Blackfoot Sixth Grade, a trauma bag at the District Office and a ballistic shield with four trauma kits at Blackfoot High School. All equipment is valued at approximately $4,100. Officer Scott intends to acquire more equipment and place it in further schools in Blackfoot.

He has led these initiatives, demonstrating his self-motivation to exceed his daily responsibilities and expectations. His proactive measures have significantly elevated the safety standards in various schools, ensuring that educators are better equipped to respond effectively during an active shooter or other critical incidents.

Officer Steve Scott's tireless dedication, resourcefulness and unwavering commitment to the safety of our school community make him a deserving candidate. His exemplary actions have not only set a high standard but have also had a profound impact on our school safety.”

Earlier this year, Carroll awarded three other mayoral coins. One to Jan Simpson when she retired from the City Council and one to the city’s longtime auditor, Morgan Hatt, also when he retired.

And in February Blackfoot Heritage Sixth Grade School Principal Colin Folsom received a mayoral coin for the school’s Coins for Turkeys campaign that raised over $19,000 to help fill Christmas food boxes for local families.