How to Make Your Voice Matter

Advocating for Home Rule can start with a friendly chat

by Scott Dudley, Florida League of Cities

A single conversation might not change a legislator’s mind about issues that matter most to Florida’s cities. But as part of an ongoing relationship, it can make a critical difference.

Earlier this year, Jolien Caraballo, Second Vice President of the Florida League of Cities and Councilwoman for the City of Port St. Lucie, spoke with Rep. Dana Trabulsy from Fort Pierce via Zoom as a part of the League’s Legislative Action Week.

This educational session on effective advocacy can be accessed through the League’s Online Learning Library at gotostage.com/channel/flcities. It illustrates how a friendly chat and an update with a legislator provides an opportunity to emphasize the League’s priorities, even as bills are being debated, amended and voted up or down.

First, a bit of context. Caraballo remarked that this was just one of many conversations she has had with Trabulsy – beginning when the first-term legislator was running for office.

That relationship doesn’t mean Caraballo was campaigning for Trabulsy. Caraballo actually had a good relationship with the incumbent, whom Trabulsy defeated. As a city official and League officer, Caraballo doesn’t take a partisan role. She is simply pro-Home Rule and pro-city. “Regardless of who’s elected, I need to be able to work with that individual,” Caraballo said.

Those friendly conversations built a foundation for advocacy, making legislators such as Trabulsy more likely to take some time during a hectic legislative session to talk about the League’s priorities.

Knowing that time was of the essence, Caraballo got right to the point in her Zoom call. She mentioned a bill in which the state would preempt, or take away, the right of cities to regulate short-term rentals such as Airbnb or VRBO. The conversion of single-family homes to shortterm rentals can change the character of a neighborhood, but cities wouldn’t be able to control them through zoning.

“Supporters of the bill will claim that this bill is about property rights. And you know what? They’re right,” said Caraballo. “But neighbors next door see the problems of these properties and also have property rights.”

Caraballo asked Trabulsy to support the bill as amended, which removed some restrictions on cities. Trabulsy hedged, noting that her constituents have strong views on both sides and differing bills were still in flux. (Short-term rental bills ultimately did not pass in this legislative session.)

Caraballo then pivoted to a different issue: why the League wants cities to be able to regulate home-based businesses. A home business could include activities that affect neighbors, such as a car mechanic with spare parts on the front porch and debris in the yard. “I’d like to have further conversation with you on that and learn a little bit more from your perspective,” Trabulsy responded.

Then Caraballo let Trabulsy make her own pitch, asking, “How can we help Rep. Trabulsy be successful this session?”

The conversation ended on a high note. While this conversation addressed specific bills and League positions, it wasn’t just transactional. It was a building block for the future, an example of building relationships that strengthen advocacy for cities.

“I’m looking forward to us continuing to be friends together of this League and getting Home Rule protected,” Caraballo said. “And together, we’re going to continue to better serve our constituents, in the state and in our city.”

To set the groundwork for having conversations like this one during session, it’s key to work on those relationships now. By meeting and talking with legislators, by inviting them to city events, you start to build trust. That trust will be a key reason your state legislator takes your call, listens to you and considers cities’ needs during the upcoming legislative session.

Scott Dudley is the Director of Field Advocacy for the Florida League of Cities.

2021 HOME RULE HERO AWARDS

Recipients of the Home Rule Hero Award are local government officials, both elected and nonelected, who consistently responded to the Florida League of Cities’ request to reach out to members of the Legislature and help give a local perspective on an issue. This year, the following municipal officials are receiving the award. We thank you! To learn how you can be a Home Rule Hero, go to bit.ly/3v3Gq8p.

Commissioner Jen Ahearn-Koch, City of Sarasota

Commissioner Ross Ambrose, City of High Springs

Mayor Robert F. Apgar, City of DeLand

Commissioner David Ashbrook, City of Port St. Joe

City Manager Terry Atchley, City of Wauchula

City Manager Courtney Barker, City of Satellite Beach

Vice Mayor Thom Barnhorn, City of Seminole

Mayor Pat Bates, City of Altamonte Springs

City Manager Michael Beedie, City of Fort Walton Beach

Council Member Pat Bentley, City of West Melbourne

Commissioner Scott Black, City of Dade City

Mayor Nathan Blackwell, City of St. Cloud

Deputy City Manager George Brown, City of Boca Raton

Mayor Woody Brown, City of Largo

Council Member Richard Bryan, City of Daytona Beach Shores

Village Attorney Roget Bryan, Islamorada, Village of Islands

City Clerk Debra Buff, City of Belle Glade

Mayor Julie Ward Bujalski, City of Dunedin

Mayor Donald Burnette, City of Port Orange

City Clerk Rosemarie Call, City of Clearwater

Commissioner Traci L. Callari, City of Hollywood

Commissioner Kevin Cannon, City of Winter Springs

Councilwoman Jolien Caraballo, City of Port St. Lucie

Commissioner John L. Carroll, City of Largo

Commissioner Carol Carter, City of Anna Maria

Commissioner Joy Carter, City of Coral Springs

City Manager Charles T. Chapman, City of Naples

Mayor John Chappie, City of Bradenton Beach

Town Manager Daniel P. Clark, Town of Lake Clarke Shores

Vice Mayor Jackie Gary Clarke, Village of Indiantown

City Attorney Thomas A. Cloud, Gray Robinson

Mayor/Police Commissioner Daniel J. Comerford III, Town of Jupiter Inlet Colony

City Manager Ed Cook, City of Callaway

Commissioner Carolyn Cooper, City of Winter Park

Mayor John Dailey, City of Tallahassee

Mayor Bradley T. Dantzler, City of Winter Haven

Commissioner Lisa DeVitto, City of Crescent City

Vice Mayor Cheri Donohue, City of Temple Terrace

Commissioner Joe Elliott, City of Wildwood

Councilwoman Mary Estimé-Irvin, City of North Miami

City Administrator Lee Evett, City of Lake Helen

City Manager Lee R. Feldman, ICMA-CM, City of Gainesville

City Manager Brenda Fettrow, City of Rockledge

Vice-Mayor Robert Samuel Fite Jr., City of Bowling Green

Councilman Fred Forbes, City of Bonita Springs

City Clerk Elizabeth Garcia-Beckford, City of North Lauderdale

Town Manager Lee Garner, Town of Sneads

Councilmember Mindy Gibson, City of Satellite Beach

Vice-Mayor Kimberly Glas-Castro, Town of Lake Park

Deputy Mayor Stuart Glass, Town of Indialantic

Mayor Ellen Glasser, City of Atlantic Beach

City Manager Reese Goad, City of Tallahassee

Councilmember Sandy Golding, City of Jacksonville Beach

Village Manager Jorge M. Gonzalez, Village of Bal Harbour

City Manager Jackie Gorman, City of Williston

Vice Mayor Jeff Gow, City of Dunedin

Assistant City Manager Mike Grebosz, City of DeLand

Town Manager Tom Harmer, Town of Longboat Key

Mayor Janet Hernandez, Village of Indiantown

City Manager Mike Herr, City of Winter Haven

Mayor Heidi Herzberg, City of Deltona

Mayor Christine Hoffman, City of Jacksonville Beach

Council Member Denise Horland, City of Plantation

Mayor Linda Hudson, City of Fort Pierce

Code Enforcement Officer Steven Hunnicutt, City of Davenport

Commissioner Sabrina Javellana, City of Hallandale Beach

City Clerk Gwen Johns, City of Mount Dora

Deputy Mayor Kenny Johnson, City of Palm Bay

Mayor Joanne “Cookie” Kennedy, City of Indian Rocks Beach

Vice Mayor Jim Kihm, City of Holmes Beach

Council Member Jordan W. Leonard, Town of Bay Harbor Islands

Town Manager Joseph Lo Bello, Town of Juno Beach

Commissioner Leo Longworth, City of Bartow

Mayor Jill Luke, City of North Port

Mayor Ben Malik, City of Cocoa Beach

Mayor Robert Marlowe, City of New Port Richey

Assistant City Manager Micah Maxwell, City of Clearwater

Vice Mayor Bob Mayersohn, City of Parkland

Mayor Carol McCormack, Town of Palm Shores

Commissioner Debbie McDowell, City of North Port

Commissioner Mike Meier, City of Stuart

Attorney Victoria Mendez, City of Miami

City Clerk/Public Information Specialist Judy Meyers, City of New Port Richey

Commissioner Mike Miller, City of Cocoa Beach

Vice Mayor Dominick Montanaro, City of Satellite Beach

Vice Mayor Heather Moraitis, City of Fort Lauderdale

Mayor Dan Murphy, City of Anna Maria

Town Manager J.P. Murphy, Town of Belleair

Town Attorney Trey Nazzaro, Town of Gulf Stream

Councilor James Olliver, City of Seminole

Mayor Frank Ortis, City of Pembroke Pines

Commissioner Tony Ortiz, City of Orlando

Mayor Karen Ostrand, Town of Ocean Breeze

Vice Mayor Lois Paritsky, Town of Ponce Inlet

Council Member Gary Price, City of Naples

Mayor William M. Queen, Town of North Redington Beach

City Manager John P. Regan, City of St. Augustine

Commissioner Gary Resnick, City of Wilton Manors

Councilmember Joanne Ribble, Village of Estero

Mayor Grover Robinson, City of Pensacola

Commissioner Jamie Robinson, City of Largo

Council Member Cal Rolfson, City of Mount Dora

Mayor Greg Ross, City of Cooper City

City Manager Mark Ryan, City of Indian Harbour Beach

Councilmember Dan Saracki, City of Oldsmar

Councilman William G. Schaetzle, City of Niceville

Mayor Ken Schneier, Town of Longboat Key

Town Manager Mac Serda, Town of Hillsboro Beach

City Manager Suzanne Sherman, City of Palm Bay

Vice Mayor Nancy Sikes-Kline, City of St. Augustine

Mayor Scott Singer, City of Boca Raton

Mayor Megan Sladek, City of Oviedo

Mayor Holly Smith, City of Sanibel

Commissioner Jordan Smith, City of Lake Mary

City Manager Matt Spoor, City of Safety Harbor

City Manager Mike Staffopoulos, City of Jacksonville Beach

Councilmember Susan Starkey, Town of Davie

Commissioner Robert Stuart, City of Orlando

City Administrator Debra Sullivan, City of Belleair Bluffs

Mayor Matthew Surrency, City of Hawthorne

Assistant City Manager/CFO Darrel Thomas, City of Weston

Village Manager Christine M. Thrower-Skinner, Village of Golf

Town Manager Jamie Titcomb, Town of Loxahatchee

Groves City Manager Ann Toney-Deal, City of Seminole

Mayor Becky Tooley, City of Coconut Creek

Attorney Susan Trevarthen, Weiss Serota Helfman Cole & Bierman

Vice Mayor Marlene Wagner, Town of Lake Hamilton

Commissioner Phillip E. Walker, City of Lakeland

Council Member Patricia Waller, Village of Palm Springs

Mayor Leslie Waters, City of Seminole

Mayor Dowling R. Watford Jr., City of Okeechobee

Council Member Teresa Watkins Brown, City of Fort Myers

Mayor Morris L. West, City of Haines City

Director, Building and Permitting Services/Legislative Affairs George Wiggins, City of Winter Park

City Administrator Keith Wilkins, City of Pensacola

2021 LEGISLATIVE APPRECIATION AWARDS

After each legislative session, the Florida League of Cities presents Legislative Appreciation Awards. These awards recognize legislators who supported the League on several key issues considered during legislative session. Please thank the following legislators for their efforts during the 2021 Legislative Session.

Senator Aaron Bean, District 4

Senator Jennifer Bradley, District 5

Senator Gary Farmer, District 34

Senator Joe Gruters, District 23

Senator Gayle Harrell, District 25

Senator Ed Hooper, District 16

Senator Debbie Mayfield, District 17

Senator Kathleen Passidomo, District 28

Senator Jason Pizzo, District 38

Senator Tina Polsky, District 29

Senator Bobby Powell, District 30

Senator Tom Wright, District 14

Representative Robin Bartleman, District 104

Representative Chuck Clemons, District 21

Representative Dan Daley, District 97

Representative Tracie Davis, District 13

Representative Ben Diamond, District 68

Representative Wyman Duggan, District 15

Representative Anna Eskamani, District 47

Representative Joe Geller, District 100

Representative Joy Goff-Marcil, District 30

Representative Michael Grieco, District 113

Representative Christine Hunschofsky, District 96

Representative Sam Killebrew, District 41

Representative Andrew Learned, District 59

Representative Jim Mooney, District 120

Representative Angie Nixon, District 14

Representative Bobby Payne, District 19

Representative Cyndi Stevenson, District 17

Representative Matt Willhite, District 86