Meet Denise Horland Community Is Her Passion

MEET DENISE HORLAND

COMMUNITY IS HER PASSION

Setting down roots where the “grass is greener” is easy, but it is tending to those roots and watching them deepen through relationship-building and civic involvement that solidifies ones sense of community. And so it was for Denise Horland, who, along with her husband Robert, moved to the City of Plantation 29 years ago and began a journey that has been both rich and rewarding. Splitting her time between New York City and Arizona during much of her youth, Denise longed for a sense of permanence. She found it when she and Robert decided to make Plantation their home.

Those early years were busy, with three children - including boy/girl twins - enrolled in the city's public schools and playing multiple sports with the Plantation Athletic League (PAL). Still, Denise somehow found time for community involvement. She states, "Initially you get involved for your children, then soon find that you can make a difference in the lives of other children, for other families." Her long involvement in education brought many recognitions, including being named a county-wide Volunteer of the Year for Broward County Public Schools. Denise believes civic engagement and service to others are the cornerstones to building a stronger community. She demonstrated that through her work with our schools and other organizations. Since she has never shied away from taking on leadership roles, few were surprised when Denise decided to run for the Plantation City Council in 2018. To her, it seemed a natural extension of her service to the community and a chance to further impact the city she loved. During the past four years on the Council, Denise has sought to make the job uniquely her own. She promised to be a "Fresh Voice for Plantation" and has been just that, bringing awareness to issues of concern as varied as mental health, gun safety, and human trafficking.

She is proud of her responsiveness to residents and mentoring the city's youth. Her advocacy before the Legislature on issues such as short-term rentals saw her honored as Plantation's first-ever Home Rule Hero by the Florida League of Cities. Denise feels it is crucial to build relationships not just across the county but the state as well. "While Pensacola may be very different from Plantation, we often share some of the same challenges," she continues, "At the end of the day, we all want the same things for our communities. I want to utilize every resource I have to ensure I am serving the residents of Plantation effectively." Those resources helped when she facilitated a Condo Town Hall with the Florida Condo Ombudsman or assisted residents with unemployment issues during COVID-19. “ Denise believes civic engagement and service to others Denise currently serves on the Broward League of Cities Board Directors, Florida League of Cities Advocacy and Municipal Administration Legislative Policy Committees, and the Broward County Planning Council. She also serves as Secretary on the Plantation Police Pension Board and earned her Certified Public Pension Trustee (CPPT) designation in 2021. are the cornerstones Denise is proud that the city's three pension plans (police, fire, and general employees) to building a have been managed responsibly and are on solid ground. Fiscal responsibility is of prime importance to Denise. She has pushed for greater transparency, especially with the city's $60 million ad valorem bond projects. While she has accomplished much, Denise feels there is much more she would like to achieve with the Council. During the next budget cycle, strategic planning sessions are one of stronger community. ” her main goals. Denise feels it is vital to survey residents and business owners as part of the process. That feedback may then be utilized as the city creates a vision incorporating public safety, infrastructure needs, development, and resiliency plans. Housing affordability, transportation solutions, and redevelopment are all issues that need focused attention. When not working, Denise enjoys spending time with her family (which includes two beloved rescue dogs), cooking, reading, and traveling. She feels it has been an honor to serve the residents of Plantation and give back to the community that has given so much to her own family. She hopes to continue her work for the next four years.