by SC Reporter Emilie Alfino
Dakota Phillips has been named Employee of the Third Quarter.
Phillips was first hired on June 6, 2013, as a Recreation Aide in the Recreation Department and promoted to Tradesworker, on December 24, 2017. Phillips briefly left the city to pursue other opportunities and then returned to the area and was rehired as a Tradesworker in Facilities, on July 7, 2025.
Phillips is from a long line of public servants and family rooted in Sanibel’s story. His mother, Trish Phillips, was the former Sanibel Recreation Director and his father, Jamie Phillips, was the former Sanibel Police Chief. His uncle Lew Phillips also served as a previous Sanibel Police Chief, and his aunt Helene Phillips served as a former Sanibel Recreation Director. His brother, Colton, was recently hired (just this week) by the city in the Utilities division.
Phillips has been a key player in recent projects at City Hall, most notably the remodeling of the employee lunchroom.
Peer comments submitted with Dakota’s nomination include:
• “Dakota goes above and beyond to be helpful. Anything that needs to be done, he is willing to jump right to it. He is always friendly and outgoing, and an excellent face for the City.”
• “Dakota can be seen throughout the City Hall campus working hard to maintain clean buildings, inside and out. He is friendly and outgoing, always with a smile on his face. He is quick to respond to calls for assistance.”
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