Polk County Transportation Director Jewell Carswell was surprised Monday in receiving a resolution for being a county employee 30 years.

Carswell was given a plaque by Polk County Commissioner Chair Cindy Walker and received a standing ovation from the audience.

Beginning on Oct. 1, 1980, Carswell began working with the Polk County Transportation Authority and climbed the ladder through three positions before becoming director in 1992.

She held positions of driver, dispatcher and driver supervisor before being promoted to director.

Jewell is consistently described as dedicated, always fair and accessible, Walker said as she read the resolution, and she knows her department inside and out, which includes 17 employees and 14 vans.

The transportation authority has continued to grow over the years, with the department traveling 403,153 miles with 55,061 passenger trips just last year.

Jewell has seen many changes in the world of transportation throughout her career and she has implemented each one into her department to continually meet and exceed state and federal standards, states the resolution.

Carswell was joined Monday night during the commissioner meeting by Polk County High School senior Cody Cross, who is studying the transportation department for his senior project.