Public Service Recognition Week 2026: Honoring civil servants and their impact

Public Service Recognition Week, held this year from May 3-9, is a time to recognize the people who keep our communities running — people who serve our nation as federal, state, county, local, and tribal government employees, delivering essential services that residents rely on every day.

Across the country, public servants are navigating increasing demands, tighter resources, and rapidly evolving expectations — all while continuing to show up for their communities. Whether at the local, state, or federal level, their work remains foundational to a functioning, responsive government.

What we’ve learned from public sector employees

At PayIt, we have the privilege of working alongside these individuals every day. We see firsthand the care, persistence, and problem-solving that define public service, not just in big moments, but in the consistent, often unseen work that makes a real difference for residents.

In honor of Public Service Recognition Week, we asked our team to reflect on the public servants they work with: what they’ve learned, what inspires them, and what stands out in a time of change.

Here’s what they had to say: 

Debbie Brannan | Client Success Director

How has working with public servants changed your perspective on your own role?

After 30 years in local government and now several years at PayIt, I’ve learned that public service often comes down to the little things. A clear process, a better experience, one less point of confusion for a resident or staff member — our work matters. 

My clients remind me all the time that public service is about showing up, solving problems, and staying focused on the people you serve. I’m thankful for public servants and the steady, often unseen work they do every day to serve their communities.

Kyle Fritz | Senior Product Manager, Platform

What’s a lesson from a client that you now apply in your day-to-day work? 

Clients can be incredibly busy and understaffed! Any manual effort we can take off their plates can be a huge source of relief for them. When I build products at PayIt, I am always thinking about how we can save them time and energy, their most precious resources.

What changes are you most excited to see in government over the next few years? 

I’m excited to see how AI takes the grunt work out of their day-to-day routine and provides solutions and insights they wouldn’t have had otherwise.

Adam Jensen | Senior Solution Consultant

What’s a moment with a client that changed how you think about public service?

About a week into my time at PayIt, we had our Annual Team Kickoff. Among the other speakers was Ben Chavis, the Tax Director of Guilford County, North Carolina. In a panel discussion, he said something that I have thought about frequently ever since. He essentially said that in positions like his, where he and his staff are in a thankless job (“nobody likes to pay their taxes”), the only way to differentiate themselves in the eyes of residents is to provide great service and experiences.

Sarah Nesfeder | Client Success Manager, Midwest

How has working with public servants changed your perspective on your own role?

What surprised me most is how deeply government employees care about their residents’ experience. Before joining PayIt, I had the same assumptions many people do and didn’t think much about what goes into those everyday interactions. But working alongside our partners, I’ve seen how passionate they are about serving their communities. Even in situations where residents are paying fees, which is not exactly anyone’s favorite activity, these teams are genuinely focused on making the experience as smooth and positive as possible. That level of care and commitment has inspired me.

Bill Ranta | Regional Managing Director

What gives you hope about the future of public service? 

Government employees are empathetic and detail-oriented at the same time. They all want to build trust with their residents and run an efficient municipality. But they also understand hardship, and the stories they tell me reflect their ethic and can-do attitudes. 

What changes are you most excited to see in government over the next few years? 

It’s exciting to see them modernize. Some agencies are cutting-edge, using AI internally to create workflows and achieve efficiencies that were not possible just two years ago. While others are working with systems that are prone to chaos — they have been creative to put in procedures so they can do their day jobs. I love helping them make the impossible possible with automations and modern platforms to support their digitization efforts.

To all of the public servants: Thank you for your hard work

Public service is often defined by the work people don’t see: systems that run smoothly and moments where residents get what they need without friction. Behind each of those outcomes are public servants who care deeply about doing their jobs well.

The reflections from our team point to a common thread: a commitment to service that shows up in both big initiatives and everyday interactions. To all public servants, thank you for the work you do to support your communities. Your dedication does not go unnoticed.