The Ridge League of Cities had a fun and enjoyable evening at the February Membership Dinner meeting in Lake Wales. The event was held at the Lake Ashton Clubhouse and featured a Mardi Gras theme and dinner. Lake Wales Deputy Mayor Robin Gibson welcomed over two hundred municipal officials and guests to the event. Sixteen of our twenty-four member cities were in attendance. Our Associate Members were also well represented with seventy-seven attendees. The Town of Dundee received the Member City Traveling Trophy for having nineteen officials and guests. Kimley-Horn was the recipient of the Associate Member Traveling Trophy.
Allison Payne, Florida League of Cities Manager for Advocacy Programs was the guest speaker. She outlined several legislative bills working through the session in Tallahassee that weaken local control and Home Rule. These included bills related to property taxes, business taxes, and utilities. She thanked the Ridge League officials that have advocated for our cities during the legislative session, including Polk County Day in Tallahassee in January, and the Florida League Legislative Action Days in February. She noted that the 2026 Florida Legislative Session is at its halfway point and encouraged our cities and towns to continue our advocacy efforts.
