The Ridge League of Cities strives to provide services and partnerships that make it easy for city officials to serve their communities and make them better.
Calendar of Events
Scholarships
The Ridge League of Cities has announced its 2024 Scholarship Program. The League will award four (4) $2,500 academic scholarships, one (1) $3,000 academic scholarship, and five (5) vocational scholarships to deserving high school seniors throughout Polk, Hardee, Highlands, DeSoto, Hillsborough, and Pasco counties. Member City high schools are asked to select one applicant from their school who is, in the opinion of a selection committee, the most deserving. The Ridge League will only accept one academic scholarship application, and one vocational scholarship from each school. Students should ask their senior guidance counselor or college and career specialist for applications. The $3,000 academic scholarship is named in honor of former RLC Executive Director Ruthanne Stonewall.
Academic Scholarships and Ruthanne Stonewall Scholarship
RLC President Dorothea Taylor Boger presents the 2023 Academic Scholarships
The Ridge League of Cities will award five $2,500 academic scholarships to high school seniors who intend to further their education. Member City high schools are asked to select one applicant from their school who is, in the opinion of a selection committee, the most deserving. The Ridge League will only accept one application from each school. After the submission time period ends, the Ridge League will appoint a committee to review and judge the applications on the required statements, community service, financial need, GPA (weighted and non-weighted), and leadership. One applicant will be chosen as the best submitted and will receive an additional $500 and be named the Ruthanne Stonewall Scholar. This award is named after the former Ridge League Executive Director who served in that position for over eighteen years.
2023 Academic Scholarship Winners
• Riley Glogowski, Winter Haven High School
• Serena Thomas, PSC Collegiate High Lakeland
• Breann Weachter, Ridge Community High School
• Frida Rodriguez-Rubio, Pasco High School (Ruthanne Stonewall Scholarship)
• Alee Swango, Lake Wales High School (Not pictured)
Vocational/Trade Scholarships
RLC President Dorothea Taylor Boger presents the 2023 $1,250 Vocational Scholarships.
The Ridge League of Cities will award five $1,250 vocational scholarships to high school seniors who intend to learn a trade and attend one of the State or Community Colleges located within the Ridge League, or either Ridge or Travis Technical College. Member City high schools are asked to select one applicant from their school who is, in the opinion of a selection committee, the most deserving. The Ridge League will only accept one application from each school. After the submission time period ends, the Ridge League will appoint a committee to review and judge the applications on the required statements, community service, financial need, GPA (weighted and non-weighted), and leadership.
2023 Vocational Scholarship Winners
• Benjamin Alfaro, Summerlin Academy
• Krysta Williams, Auburndale High School
• Kylie Faulkner, Auburndale High School
• Rayanne Fostoff, Lake Region High School (Not pictured)
• Gladys Rojas-Santizo, Pasco High School (Not pictured)
• Paige Davis, Frostproof High School (Not pictured)
First-time FLC Conference Assistance Awards
The Ridge League of Cities will award up to four (4) $1000 Conference Scholarships for municipal officials to attend their first Florida League of Cities Annual Conference. The goal of the Conference Scholarship is to allow an elected official from the RLC membership an opportunity to attend the conference and help in defraying cost. Scholarships are first offered to elected municipal officials, then to appointed municipal charter officers (managers, assistant managers). For more information, click here to learn more. Application period now open.
Nettie Draughon Municipal Official of the Year
Since 1994, the Ridge League of Cities has recognized and honored an elected or appointed official from a member city who has made outstanding contributions to his/her city and helped to promote and advance the ideals and goals of the Ridge League. An honoree is chosen by a selection committee of five appointed by the president. The Ridge League Municipal Official of the Year Award is named in memory of Nettie Draugnon, who served Plant City for 57 years, rising from secretary to city manager, a position she held from 1974-1997. For many years she also served as the secretary and executive director of the Ridge League of Cities. For more information, click here to learn more. Application period opens in July 2023.
Municipal Information & Directory
Click here to see the names of municipal officials, addresses, phone and fax numbers, email addresses and web addresses (where available) for Florida’s 411 cities, towns and villages.
Information for Newly Elected Officials
Congratulations! You’ve been elected to serve as a municipal official in the Ridge League of Cities.
While it’s certainly an exciting time and you’ve been given an opportunity to serve your community, you probably have a few questions:
What are your responsibilities as a local elected official in Florida?
Are there municipal best practices you should be aware of and follow?
Does state law require you to conduct yourself in any particular manner?
Don’t panic. The Ridge League is here to help you and your city.
First and foremost, if you have any questions about your role and responsibilities as a municipal official in Florida, spend some time surfing the Florida League of Cities website. It’s full of resources that can help you understand your new role and give you guidance on how to successfully maneuver in the municipal world. Pages that may be of most help to you right away include the Florida Municipal Officials Manual (floridaleagueofcities.com). To learn more about the Ridge League of Cities, visit the Who We Are section of our website to learn about our purpose and meet the Board of Directors; and the What We Do section for an overview of Ridge League programs and services.
Second, sign up for training opportunities from the Florida League of Cities. The FLC University offers several training programs geared specifically for newly elected officials.
Third, plan to attend the FLC Annual Conference, or the FLC Legislative Conference. These events are a great opportunity to learn about the issues facing Florida’s cities, identify solutions to common problems, and network with peers.
Finally, stay in-the-know by attending the Ridge League of Cities Membership Dinners held throughout the year and hosted by one of our Member Cities.
Welcome to local government, and welcome to the Ridge League. Please contact us with any questions.
Institute for Elected Municipal Officials
The Ridge League of Cities encourages our local elected officials to attend the Florida League of Cities Institute for Elected Municipal Officials (IEMO). The FLC has developed multiple levels of training designed specifically for municipal officials of all levels, including the Leadership Academy for graduates of IEMO I and II. The IEMO and Leadership Academy are offered at different locations throughout the state and has assisted thousands of elected officials since its creation in 1992.
Florida Black Caucus of Local Elected Officials
The Florida Black Caucus of Local Elected Officials (FBC-LEO) is a nonpartisan network of local elected officials advocating positions and programs that benefit municipal government. FBC-LEO provides a forum to implement ideas to better communities and promote harmony and cooperation among its members and stakeholders. The diverse, minority-driven organization encourages education and issue-sharing opportunities among its members. The Ridge League of Cities is a proud sponsor of FBC-LEO.
For more information, click here to learn more
University of South Florida ICMA Student Chapter
The International City and County Management Association (ICMA) is the world’s leading association of professional city and county managers and other employees who serve local government. The University of South Florida ICMA Student Chapter introduces and integrates students seeking a Master of Public Administration (MPA) Degree to local government. The Chapter provides many professional, social, and networking opportunities for its members. The Ridge League of Cities is a proud sponsor of the USF ICMA Student Chapter.
For more information, click here to learn more