Municipal officials from throughout the Ridge League of Cities were well represented during the Florida League of Cities (FLC) Annual Conference held on August 13-15 at the Diplomat Resort in Hollywood, Florida.  Over 130 municipal officials and senior staff from the Ridge League enhanced leadership skills, learn from industry experts, share ideas with peers, discuss strategies for Florida’s future, and heard about the latest in products and services for municipal governments.  The Ridge League held its annual breakfast meeting on Saturday August 15th with 89 in attendance.  Our thanks to the Central Florida Development Council, Duke Energy, and DCCM for their sponsorship of the breakfast.  

The following special recognitions were made during the breakfast meeting:

.         Breakfast Sponsors: Duke Energy (Tiffany Dale), DCCM, formally Chastain Skillman (Andy Mason), the Central Florida Development Council (Sean Malott).  Andy Mason and Sean Malott gave welcome to the membership.

.          RLC Conference stipends awarded to Lake Placid Mayor Colleen Charles, Bowling Green Commissioner Gaylyn Kent Paterson, Lake Hamilton Council Member Carmen Demanche, and Zolfo Springs Commissioner Maryann Olmos.  These officials were attending their first FLC Conference.  The Ridge League will award $1,000 stipends to each of their cities to help offset the costs of conference registration and travel.

.         Former Florida League of Cities President from the RLC including Bartow Commissioner Leo Longworth.

.         FLC John Land Years of Service Award recipients Mulberry Commissioner Collins Smith (25 years), Plant City Commissioner Mary Thomas-Mathis (25 years), and Bartow Commissioner Leo Longworth (30 years).

.         Florida League of Cities Staff including Lyndsey Johannesen, Public Risk Advisor, and Casey Cook, Chief of Legislative Affairs.  Casey Cook gave words of welcome to the RLC Membership and spoke on the importance of engagement with the property tax initiative on the November ballot.

Thank you to our Associate Member Sponsors!   It was great to see the Ridge League representation at the FLC Annual Conference and breakfast meeting!  

President Sara Roberts McCarley welcomes the RLC membership to the FLC Conference and Ridge League Breakfast
Thanks for the great turnout at the Ridge League Breakfast at the 2026 Annual FLC Conference in August 2026
Executive Director Bobby Green addresses the Ridge League membership
Casey Cook, Florida League of Cities Chief of Legislative Affairs with President Sara Roberts McCarley and Executive Director Bobby Green
Thank you to the Chastain Skillman | DCCM Team for your sponsorship and support of the Ridge League.  Jeff Ammerman, Pam Rodriguez, and CFO Andy Mason with President Sara Roberts McCarley and Executive Director Bobby Green
Thank you to the Central Florida Development Council for your sponsorship and support of the Ridge League.  Sean Malott, President and CEO with President Sara Roberts McCarley and Executive Director Bobby Green

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