THOMASVILLE — Steve Sykes, whose three-decade tenure with the City of Thomasville ended at midnight Sunday, puts people at the top of his accomplishment list.

Thomasville City Council voted unanimously in December to accept Sykes’ resignation. He received a total of $80,000 upon his Dec. 31 departure.

Sykes told the Times-Enterprise that prior to the council vote, he had discussed resigning with some city council members but had not broached the subject with the full council. Sykes tendered his resignation after the meeting.

Sykes’ city career began in 1987, when he was hired as an engineer. After several promotions in engineering, in 1998, he was named city engineer/assistant utilities superintendent. In 2004, Sykes was named interim city manager/utilities general superintendent. The next year he was promoted to city manager/utilities general superintendent.

He said that of all his accomplishments and successes as city manager, staff development and building the Team Thomasville concept were the most rewarding.

“The Team Thomasville concept recognizes that the success of every single employee is critical to the success of the organization,” Sykes said.

Staff development is a strategic plan to help each individual reach their fullest potential as a teammate, Sykes said. He described as “very rewarding” watching individuals grow into their responsibilities and achieve success.

In discussing his plans for the future, Sykes said, “I believe there are numerous other cities and municipalities outside of Thomasville that would welcome and benefit from the knowledge, experience and expertise I have gained during my 30 years with the City of Thomasville.”

He added, “Efficient municipal government and utilities operations are critical to the success of healthy communities, and it would be my goal to help another community or communities be successful, whether that be in a similar position or as a consultant.”

Among his design accomplishments is the first phase of the new 50-acre Remington Recreation Complex.

Under management accomplishments, in 1995, Sykes merged utilities engineering operations (water, natural gas, sewer) and in 1997, merged general and utilities engineering.

Cherokee Lake Park improvements and the walking trail were part of accomplishments in 2005, along with airport taxiway and Country Oaks Golf Course improvements, CNS telephone service rollout and electric meter conversion.

An airport corporate hangar and terminal building came in 2006 during Sykes’ tenure.

In 2009, a countywide interoperable radio system began, and a seven-county redundant fiber telecom network was established.

Sykes lists CNG fleet fueling and vehicle conversion, design and construction of Red Hills Business Park, introduction of the City of Thomasville mobile app and completion of the amphitheater among other management accomplishments.

In financial accomplishments, he lists property taxes being eliminated in 2012, a fully funded pension plan and paying off all local bank loans to the city.