The 2024 Citizen of the Year, Matt Harmann, was honored Saturday after the parade during Panorama Days. He is pictured here with the 2023 Citizen of the Year, Kirby Klinge.
By Shane Goodman | Times Vedette
The Panora Citizen of the Year award has a long history of recognizing community members who have given of themselves to better the Panora and Lake Panorama community. The Panora Chamber of Commerce asked for and collected nominations over the past weeks and, ultimately, named Matt Harmann as the 2024 Citizen of the Year.
Harmann received numerous nomination letters with comments such as, “Matt exemplifies the qualities of leadership and service that define this award.”
Harmann has served as the Fire Chief for the City of Panora Fire Department since 2006 and is an Advanced EMT with Panora EMS.
“The department’s confidence in Matt is a great recognition of his leadership skills,” a nominator stated.
Harmann is also a volunteer member of the Guthrie County Fair Board and gives both his time and financial support to countless school, 4H and youth sports causes throughout the year.
“If there is a fundraising effort for youth programs, you will almost always find Matt Harmann or Harmann Excavating listed as a key sponsor,” a nominator wrote.
In addition, Harmann has served as a Guthrie County deputy since 2018. He is a 2018 graduate of the police academy and has served as one of the Guthrie County Sheriff Department’s two K9 officers.
Harmann is the owner of Harmann Excavating and enjoys farming and raising cattle in his spare time.
“It’s a great honor,” Harmann said. “I appreciate it.”