Nov. 08--HAINES CITY, FL-- For the holiday season, the third largest city in Polk County will be getting a pair of permanent public safety chiefs.
Tim Mossgrove, the interim fire chief of the Haines City Fire Department, and Jim Elensky, the Haines City Police Department's interim chief, will be promoted the first week in December. Mossgrove will officially become chief Dec. 5 and Elensky a day later. Mossgrove will earn $90,000 annually. Elensky will make $95,000.
"I look at it as an incredible opportunity to give back to the community," Mossgrove said. "I'm very humbled they have faith in me to lead the department. I have a lot of confidence here in the guys and gals who make up this department. I'm only as good as the people around me."
Mossgrove, 51, was named interim chief after Stuart McCutcheon's resignation became official at the end of last fiscal year. Elensky, 50, became interim chief following the resignation of Gary Hester, which also came at the end of last fiscal year.
"I am committed to serving Haines City and look forward to making the Police Department one of the best in Central Florida," Elensky said. "The strategic plan that was initiated by Chief Hester has laid a lot of the groundwork, and I look forward to fulfilling the goals set forth and being part of moving Haines City forward."
The city underwent a major shakeup near the end of last fiscal year as five high-ranking officials resigned with the most notable being City Manager Rick Sloan. Last month, the City Commission voted to hire Deric Feacher as city manager. Feacher said continuity was not a factor when deciding on Mossgrove and Elensky.
"The fire chief has been with the agency for two years and has a long career as a fire chief in Brooksville," Feacher said. "Chief Elensky has more than 25 years of experience in law enforcement and has a good relationship with our officers. I was just looking for the most qualified people for the job."
Feacher said he met with the two men last week and made the decision to hire them permanently during the weekend. Once they are sworn in, the only two departments without permanent heads will be utilities and parks and recreation. Utilities is looking for a replacement for Mike Stripling.
Parks and recreation is looking for a replacement for Auburn Taylor, who replaced Donna Parker as human resources director after Parker left to take a job with the Polk County Sheriff's Office. Feacher said the city will stop accepting applications for those positions next week.
"We're a growing community," Mossgrove said. "It's nice to be part of a good organization that is growing. We have some incredible leadership with the new city manager."
Mossgrove has been in the fire service since the age of 16 and has been a supervisor for the past 25 years. The former deputy fire chief has been with the city for about two years after spending 30 years in Brooksville, including about 10 as chief.
"We're going to continue to provide a high level of service," Mossgrove said. "It's an opportunity, not a challenge. When you look at things as challenges, you think there's something wrong."
Elensky has been with the department since March, when he was hired as deputy chief. Elensky worked for the Polk County Sheriff's Office for 25 years before retiring as a captain in 2013 where he oversaw more than 100 sworn deputies. During his tenure as captain, Elensky brought the agency's homicide clearance rate to 100 percent.
"I am honored and humbled by Mr. Feacher's support and confidence in my ability to be the chief," Elensky said. "Additionally, I thank the former city manager, Mr. Sloan, for first hiring me as deputy chief. None of this would be possible without the mentorship provided by Sheriff Grady Judd throughout my entire career at PCSO then and still today."
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