The Davis Productivity Awards are presented annually to honor individuals and work units in Florida state government that have significantly increased productivity in delivering state services and products. The program provides cash awards ranging from $100 to $2,500 to state employees who have shown exemplary performance or whose creativity has led to new cost-saving approaches. Florida TaxWatch staff and a panel of judges make award decisions.

The Florida Automated Weather Network (FAWN) received the Outstanding Work Group Award for establishing a 16 station network of weather stations, making timely and accurate weather information available over the Internet and through a dial-up telephone system. A $2500 prize went along with the honor. The FAWN team also received the 1998 Epsilon Sigma Phi Award at the annual meeting of the Florida Association of Extension Professionals.

Before the Information Technologies Office was created, Information Technologies - Business Systems was a part of the Office of Planning and Business Affairs. During that time, in cooperation with the State Comptroller's Office, they developed the Paperless Online Travel System which received a Distinguished Work Award during the 1998 Davis Productivity Awards. A $1500 prize accompanied the award. Their flexible automated travel system is easy to use and speeds up the reimbursement process while cutting processing expenses.

A Distinguished Individual Award, accompanied by a $1000 prize went to Steve Eshom of the Central Florida Research and Education Center in Apopka, for his work in obtaining excess federal property and in developing the sitre for the center's new facility.

Associated Links:

• More information about FAWN
• More information about the the Paperless Online Travel System
• A complete list of the 1998 Davis Productivity Awards recipients