Guided by the belief that all politics is local and the best strategy for sustained legislative success is one that continually engages local officials’ participation. We encourage all Ridge League city officials to be active in the legislative process. From the smallest city to the largest, from Arcadia in the south to Zephyrhills in the north, WE STAND TOGETHER TO SUPPORT LOCAL AUTHORITY.
Legislative Advocacy
Florida League of Cities Legislative Priorities
2024 State Legislative Save the Date
#CommonGrounds
Brew up stronger relationships with your legislators! When state and local officials work together, Floridians benefit. We must collaborate to solve problems and improve Florida.
To help us foster and build these relationships, I am excited to announce that this year’s focus will be themed around my way of breaking the ice: coffee and conversation, or what we will call #commongrounds.
By finding #commongrounds, we put people over politics, access over agendas and success over shouting.
These face-to-face meetings in a low-stress environment can accomplish a lot in a short amount of time. I also encourage you not to talk shop but to get to know your legislator. This fall, lawmakers will be back in their districts. And after the election, we will undoubtedly welcome newly elected legislators. This situation presents a perfect opportunity to connect or reconnect with your state leaders. Learn what is important to them, and ask them what we can do to help them have a successful upcoming session.
Let’s bring home a strategic partnership that will benefit all of Florida and all we serve because Floridians deserve leadership that works for them.
Below you will find the #commongrounds toolkit of resources. I hope each of you finds something helpful or motivational to start these conversations with your legislators.
#CommonGrounds Toolkit
While it’s up to the individual to find the right coffee shop, this toolkit provides some tips and information that will lay the foundation for a good start. In this toolkit you will find information about:
The Florida League of Cities is proud to share this comprehensive Advocacy Toolkit for elected officials.
Whether you’re a newly elected official or you’ve been in office for a number of years, The Advo-Kit advocacy toolkit from the Florida League of Cities has something for every local leader to help make your advocacy even more successful.
New to office? The Advo-Kit has sections explaining the importance of Home Rule and examples of legislation that impact your community, as well as information on contacting your legislators, crafting your message and building relationships with legislators.
For those officials already experienced in advocating, The Advo-Kit has resources for you too, such as working with the media to spread your message and suggestions on media outlets to follow, as well as reminders on how to properly testify in front of legislative committees and keys to lobbying in person, virtually or via email.
Let The Advo-Kit help to ensure your advocacy is as successful and impactful as possible.
Home Rule Heroes
The Florida League of Cities is recognizing nearly 180 municipal officials from around the state with Home Rule Hero Awards for their work during the 2025 legislative session. Congratulations and Thank You to the seventeen municipal officials from the Ridge League for your advocacy.
The Florida League of Cities is proud to recognize the 2025 Home Rule Hero Award recipients—municipal officials and staff who went above and beyond to protect Home Rule during the 2025 regular Legislative Session. These dedicated individuals played a critical role in supporting the League’s advocacy efforts, engaging with legislators, sharing real-world perspectives, and helping to defend the ability of local governments to make decisions that best serve their communities. This year’s more than 180 honorees represent cities, towns, and villages from every region of the state. Their leadership, outreach, and commitment were essential in elevating the voice of municipal government in Tallahassee. Thank you and congratulations to the following 2025 Home Rule Heroes. Members from the Ridge League are bolded.
2025 Ridge League Home Rule Heroes (l to r) Eagle Lake City Clerk Dawn Wright, Haines City Mayor Morris West, Florida League of Cities Director of Field Advocacy Jeff Branch, Auburndale Mayor Dorothea Taylor Bogert, Winter Haven City Manager T. Michael Stavres, Wauchula City Manager Olivia Minshew, Lake Alfred City Manager Ryan Leavengood, Bowling Green Vice Mayor N’Kosi Jones, Lake Alfred Mayor Mac Fuller, Bowling Green Mayor Sam Fite, Eagle Lake Mayor Cory Coler, Dade City Mayor Scott Black, and Florida League of Cities President Holly Smith. Not pictured: Dade City Clerk Angie Guy, Bartow City Manager Mike Herr, Davenport Assistant Manager Steven Hunnicutt, Bartow Commissioner Leo Longworth, Bartow Mayor Trish Pfeiffer, and Arcadia Mayor Judy Wertz Strickland.
Councilmember Diana Adams, City of West Melbourne
Commissioner Jen Ahearn-Koch, City of Sarasota
Jeremy Allen, Village Manager, Village of Tequesta
Councilmember Charles Bare, City of Pensacola
Vice Mayor Vincent “Vinny” Barile, Town of Sewall’s Point
Councilor Thom Barnhorn, City of Seminole
Reneé Basel, Town Clerk, Town of Gulf Stream
Mayor Pat Bates, City of Altamonte Springs
Susan Beaudet, City Manager, City of Williston
Lana Beck, Former Communications
Commissioner B.J. Bishop, Town of Longboat Key
Mayor Scott Black, City of Dade City
Mayor Michael C. Blake, City of Cocoa
Commissioner Rufus Borom, City of Palatka
George S. Brown, City Manager, City of Boca Raton
Sammie Brown, Deputy Town Clerk, Loxahatchee Groves
Mayor Woody Brown, City of Largo
Mayor Felicia M. Brunson, City of West Park
Councilmember Doug Bryant, City of Mount Dora
Patricia Burke, MPA, MMC, Town Clerk-Manager, Palm Shores
Vice Mayor Phyllis Butlien, City of DeBary
Councilman Michael A. Cadore, Sr., City of Rockledge
Commissioner Anthony N. Caggiano, City of Margate
Rosemarie Call, City Clerk, City of Clearwater
Commissioner Traci L. Callari, City of Hollywood
Sarah Campbell, City Manager, City of Fernandina Beach
Vice Mayor Jolien Caraballo, City of Port St. Lucie
Commissioner Carolyn Cassidy, Town of Ocean Ridge
Mayor Karen Chasez, City of DeBary
Mayor Chris Cloudman, City of DeLand
Mayor Cory Coler, City of Eagle Lake
Ed Cook, City Manager, City of Callaway
Mayor John E. Dailey, City of Tallahassee
Mayor Joyce L. Davis, City of Dania Beach
Mayor Louie Davis, City of Waldo
Vice Mayor Pro Tem Diana Davis, Town of Juno Beach
Nicole Delfino, Strategy & Sustainability, City of Dunedin
Council President Kevin Docherty, Town of Ocean Breeze
Councilmember Ed Dodd, City of Sebastian
John Driggers, City Manager, Town of Cross City
Mayor Todd Drosky, City of Deerfield Beach
Council Member Yvette Drucker, City of Boca Raton
Commissioner Joe Elliott, City of Wildwood
Deric C. Feacher, City Manager, City of Daytona Beach
Councilman Shaun Ferguson, City of Rockledge
Commissioner Alex J. Fernandez, City of Miami Beach
Brenda Fettrow, City Manager, City of Rockledge
Mayor Sam Fite, City of Bowling Green
Mayor Mark Franks, Town of Shalimar
Councilmember Gregory P. Freebold, Town of Lake Clarke Shores
Mayor Mac Fuller, City of Lake Alfred
Elizabeth Garcia-Beckford, MMC, MBA, City Clerk, Wilton Manors
Councilwoman Charlotte Gillis, City of Edgewater
Kim Glas-Castro, Asst. Village Manager, Village of Palm Springs
Reese Goad, City Manager, City of Tallahassee
Commissioner Penny Gold, Town of Longboat Key
Councilmember Sandy Golding, City of Jacksonville Beach
Mayor Michelle J. Gómez, City of Tamarac
Jorge M. Gonzalez, Village Manager, Village of Bal Harbour
Michael Grebosz, Assistant City Manager, City of DeLand
Angie Guy, City Clerk, City of Dade City
Leslie A. Guyer, CMC, City Clerk, City of Gulf Breeze
Mayor Rex Hardin, City of Pompano
Christopher Hawks, Intergovernmental Relations, City of Largo
Jonathan H. Hayes, City Manager, City of Panama City
Mayor Daniel Henkel, City of Niceville
Vice Mayor Michael Hensley, Town of Lake Park
Mike Herr, City Manager, City of Bartow
Councilmember Darfeness Hinds, City of Williston
Mayor Jeff Hmara, Village of Royal Palm Beach
Councilmember Denise Horland, City of Plantation
Mayor Linda Hudson, City of Fort Pierce
Steven Hunnicutt, Asst. City Manager, City of Davenport
Councilmember Dan Janson, City of Jacksonville Beach
Commissioner Curtis Johnson, Jr., City of Ft. Pierce
Vice Mayor N’Kosi Jones, City of Bowling Green
Councilmember Debra Jones, City of Williston
Mayor Anita Kane, Town of Loxahatchee Groves
Commissioner Lisa Kane DeVitto, City of Crescent City
Mayor Allan Kaulbach, City of Atlantis
Mayor Bridget Keating, Town of Lake Clarke Shores
Deputy Mayor Neil C. Kerch, City of Sunrise
Commissioner Barbara King, City of South Bay
Councilwoman NanDrycka King Albert, City of Midway
Mayor Joe Kyles, City of South Bay
Vice Mayor Greg Langowski, City of Westlake
Vice Mayor William “B.J.” Laurie, City of Crescent City
Lori LaVerriere, Deputy City Manager, City of Palm Beach Gardens
Kelly Layman, Legislative Relations, Town of Jupiter Island
Ryan Leavengood, City Manager, City of Lake Alfred
Mayor Jason Leslie, City of Ormond Beach
R. Max Lohman, City Attorney, City of Palm Beach Gardens
Commissioner Leo E. Longworth, City of Bartow
Councilwoman Shayla Macias, City of Fellsmere
Commissioner Sarah Malega, City of Lake Worth Beach
Commissioner Lisa Mallozzi, City of Cooper City
Councilmember Jon Maples, Town of Lake Clarke Shores
Commissioner Mimi May, City of Lake Worth Beach
Commissioner Kaija Mayfield, Town of Sewall’s Point
Councilmember David R. McAuley, City of Okeechobee
Andrea McCue, City Manager, City of Greenacres
Michael McNees, City Manager, City of Marco Island
Vice Mayor Nancy Metayer Bowen, City of Coral Springs
Judy Meyers, City Clerk, City of New Port Richey
Mayor Roger Michaud, Town of Lake Park
Mayor Nancy Miller, City of Daytona Beach Shores
Olivia Minshew, City Manager, City of Wauchula
Randy Mora, City Attorney, City of Atlantis
Councilwoman Stephanie Morgan, City of Port St. Lucie
Commissioner Daniel “Danny” Nugent, City of Starke
Mayor John Paul O’Connor, City of Westlake
Mayor Pro Tem Bernard “Bernie” Oder, City of Mary Esther
Commissioner Tony Ortiz, City of Orlando
Mayor Steve Osmer, City of Satellite Beach
Mayor Karen Ostrand, Town of Ocean Breeze
Mayor Nick Pachota, City of Venice
Mayor Lois Paritsky, Town of Ponce Inlet
Kate Parmelee, Deputy City Manager, City of Port St. Lucie
Mayor Trish Pfeiffer, City of Bartow
Councilman David Pickett, City of Port St. Lucie
Michael P. Pleus, City Manager, City of DeLand
Terrill C. Pyburn, City Attorney, City of Coconut Creek
Commissioner Karen Rafferty, City of Belleair Bluffs
Mayor Joe I. Rasco, Village of Key Biscayne
Mayor Bruce Rector, City of Clearwater
Councilmember Chelsea Reed, City of Palm Beach Gardens
Adam Reichbach, Asst. City Manager, City of Hollywood
Vice Mayor Thomas B. Reid, City of South Pasadena
Mayor Betty Resch, City of Lake Worth Beach
Brittany Retherford, City Manager, City of Satellite Beach
Mayor Joanne Ribble, Village of Estero
Mayor Campbell Rich, City of Stuart
Commissioner Curtis Richardson, City of Tallahassee
Councilmember Cal Rolfson, City of Mount Dora
Carmen Rosamonda, City Manager, City of DeBary
Mayor Dylan Rumrell, City of St. Augustine Beach
Daphnee A. Sainvil, Public Affairs Manager, City of Fort Lauderdale
Mayor Isaac Salver, Town of Bay Harbor Islands
Vice Mayor Winnette Sandlin, Town of Orange Park
Mayor Pro Tem William “Bill” Schaetzle, City of Niceville
Mayor JB Schluter, City of Gulf Breeze
Mayor Ken Schneier, Town of Longboat Key
William “Mac” Serda, Town Manager, Town of Hillsboro Beach
Joyce Shanahan, City Manager, City of Ormond Beach
Kyle Shephard, Intergovernmental Relations, City of Orlando
Suzanne E. Sherman, Asst. City Manager, City of Satellite Beach
Mayor Nancy Sikes-Kline, City of St. Augustine
Alexis Silcox, City Clerk, City of Belleair Bluffs
Shari Simmans, Economic Development, City of DeBary
Mayor Scott Singer, City of Boca Raton
Vice Mayor Holly D. Smith, City of Sanibel
Commissioner Fortuna Smukler, City of North Miami Beach
Mike Staffopoulos, City Manager, City of Jacksonville Beach
Councilmember Susan Starkey, Town of Davie
T. Michael Stavres, City Manager, City of Winter Haven
Councilmember Dr. Sarah Stoeckel, City of Titusville
Commissioner Robert F. Stuart, City of Orlando
Mayor Larisa Svechin, City of Sunny Isles Beach
Councilmember Monique Taylor, City of Waldo
Mayor Dorothea Taylor Bogert, City of Auburndale
Mayor Stuart Tettemer, City of Panama City Beach
Commissioner Judith Thomas, Town of Lake Park
Darrel Thomas, CPFIM, Assistant City Manager, City of Weston
Christine M. Thrower-Skinner, Village Manager, Village of Golf
Deputy Mayor Lori Tolland, City of Ormond Beach
Ann Toney-Deal, City Manager, City of Seminole
Commissioner Jeniffer Viscarra, City of Sunny Isles Beach
Mayor Bobby Wagner, City of Destin
Mayor Leslie Waters, City of Seminole
Mayor Dowling R. Watford, Jr., City of Okeechobee
Councilmember Teresa Watkins Brown, City of Fort Myers
Mayor Judy Wertz-Strickland, City of Arcadia
Mayor Morris L. West, City of Haines City
Thomas Whitley, Director of Operations, City of Tallahassee
Ian J. Whitney, Associate Director of Government Affairs, City of Tampa
William R. Whitson, Town Manager, Interim, Town of Orange Park
Mayor JB Whitten, City of Crestview
Council Member Marc Wigder, City of Boca Raton
Mayor Julie C. Wilkins, City of LaBelle
Mayor David Will, Town of Redington Beach
Mayor Pro Tem Dianne Williams-Cox, City of Tallahassee
Council Member Don Willis, City of Cape Canaveral
Commissioner, Pro-Tem Rosemary Wilsen, City of Ocoee
