City of St. Augustine leaders recognized for advocacy efforts during Legislative Session
The City of St. Augustine’s Mayor Nancy Sikes-Kline and City Manager John Regan were recognized with the 2023 Home Rule Hero Award for their hard work and advocacy efforts during the 2023 Legislative Session by the Florida League of Cities (FLC). Sikes-Kline and Regan worked tirelessly throughout the session to promote local voices making local choices, protect the Home Rule powers of Florida’s municipalities and advance the League’s legislative agenda.
“The League and its legislative team appreciate the individual advocacy efforts undertaken by municipal officials throughout the state,” said FLC Chief of Legislative Affairs Casey Cook. “Home Rule Heroes are some of our biggest advocates for protecting local decision-making. They are League members who stand out for their high level of participation, knowledge, and effectiveness. This year’s Home Rule Heroes continuously advocated for their communities throughout the 2023 Legislative Session.”
This was a particularly difficult year as the City faced the challenges of legislation that would have catastrophically impacted the very foundations of its historic preservation program and its ability to protect unsafe structures being considered for demolition, as well as legislation that effectively would have eliminated any ability at the municipal level to successfully monitor, manage and administer the short-term rental industry in St. Augustine.
“It is an honor and a privilege to represent the residents and businesses of the City of St. Augustine when we go to Tallahassee,” said Mayor Nancy Sikes-Kline. “We had serious legislative concerns this year, unlike years past, that must be addressed, and it is our duty to ensure our community voice is heard. I will always do whatever it takes to protect our ability to govern locally, in ways that best serve the needs of our own community. That is what Home Rule is, and that is what it allows us to do.”
Home Rule is the ability for a city to address local problems with local solutions with minimal state interference. Home Rule Hero Award recipients are local government officials, both elected and nonelected, who consistently responded to the League’s request to reach out to members of the legislature and help give a local perspective on an issue.
Florida League of Cities
Founded in 1922, the Florida League of Cities is the united voice for Florida’s municipal governments. Its goals are to promote local self-government and serve the needs of Florida’s cities, which are formed and governed by their citizens. The League believes in “Local Voices Making Local Choices,” which focuses on the impact citizens and city leaders have in improving Florida’s communities. For more information, visit flcities.com