Under a large white tent decorated in green and white, community members gathered May 1 at Ellis-Methvin Park to celebrate the retirement of Commissioner Bill Dodson with a golf-themed sendoff reflecting both his personality and almost five decades of public service.
Guests mingled across the venue, where decorative putting greens and commemorative golf balls invited attendees to take a swing in Dodson’s honor. A packed crowd of city officials, employees, and friends filled the space, enjoying food and desserts, including cakes with flan centers, while sharing memories of his career.
The event was organized by Parks and Recreation Director Julie Garretson, her team, and other city staff, who transformed the venue into a fitting tribute to Dodson’s love of golf and his impact on the city.
Speakers throughout the evening emphasized not only Dodson’s accomplishments but also his character. Mayor Nate Kilton highlighted Dodson’s steady demeanor and integrity, noting his reputation for being even-keeled during difficult discussions and being consistently grounded in facts rather than emotion. “Accomplishments are nothing without character and integrity,” Kilton said.
Kilton also praised Dodson’s fiscal discipline, describing him as a “finance hawk” who worked to ensure taxpayer dollars were spent wisely.
In an announcement that drew applause, Kilton said the city is in the process of closing on the former SunTrust building, located at 201 W. Reynolds St. in downtown Plant City, with plans to convert it into a service center for the city’s finance team and other departments.
“We don’t know the exact name yet, but we’re going to name that building after Bill Dodson,” said Kilton.
Fellow commissioners shared personal reflections. Commissioner Mary Mathis recalled the kindness Dodson and his wife, Silvia, showed her after the loss of her husband, while Commissioner Mike Sparkman described Dodson as a thorough and dependable colleague.
County Commissioner Christine Miller spoke about Dodson’s compassion and his consistent focus on the needs of the community, noting his long-standing support of his wife’s own civic involvement.
City Manager Bill McDaniel credited Dodson with helping shape Plant City’s growth, pointing to parks, public facilities, and improvements in city operations as part of his legacy. He noted Dodson’s attention to detail and willingness to ask difficult questions as key to strengthening local government.
Dodson, first elected in 2002 and serving eight consecutive terms, reflected on his career with gratitude. He described public service as a lifelong passion and called his retirement bittersweet, though a little more sweet than bitter.
“As I step into full retirement, I’m excited for what lies ahead,” Dodson said. “But I’ll always cherish the memories of my time in public service.”
The evening closed with applause, with Dodson encouraging everyone to get out and vote in the May 26 runoff election for his and Commissioner Sparkman’s seats.