From the President

Working collectively for a stronger Florida

Now more than ever before, cities are showing our ability to help our residents recover, repair and reconnect with each other. Following the devastation of Hurricane Ian, cities have come together to offer aid to those impacted by the storm. (See article on p. 22). We have a long recovery ahead, but know that you are not alone.

As we look toward the year ahead, I’m asking our membership to work collectively to achieve more robust relationships with our state leaders by supporting our new initiative: finding #commongrounds. Our focus will help build a unified collaboration with our legislators by finding #commongrounds with tools that many of us use daily: coffee and conversation. By advocating while using #commongrounds, we will protect Home Rule. Just as importantly, state and local officials will have the opportunity to work together on the issues that are significant to all Floridians such as fostering a strong economy, safe communities, transportation and infrastructure, water quality and much more. I hope you will join me in this year’s initiative. (For more on the finding #commongrounds initiative powered by the Florida League of Cities, see p. 28)

While I’m excited to work with you this upcoming year, we should acknowledge what a great job our League has done for the past 100 years. At the Florida League of Cities (FLC) Annual Conference, we celebrated the League’s successes and kicked off the next 100 years. We also shared ideas, named the E. Harris Drew Award winner and the Defender of Home Rule, celebrated our Home Rule Heroes and concluded the conference with a 100th Anniversary Gala, which received rave reviews. (See the annual conference recap on p. 24.)

In the spirit of celebrating our municipalities, cities across the state participated in the 2022 Florida City Government Week October 17-23. This weeklong annual event is a time for our cities to showcase and engage citizens in the work of municipal government.

In closing, I believe the League is a powerful force when we are unified and working toward our shared vision. It has taken all of us, past and present, to make the last 100 years of FLC possible. By working together with a common goal, we can continue to serve our residents better and strongly impact our communities across the state.

Let’s find #commongrounds.

Jolien Caraballo

President Jolien Caraballo, Vice Mayor, City of Port St. Lucie