Haines City Commission Seat 5 Runoff
Haines City is a home rule municipality and operates as a commission-manager form of government. The City Commission consists of five Commissioners elected at large to serve four-year terms. The Commission selects a Mayor and Vice-Mayor through a majority vote of the Commission annually. Responsibilities of the Commission include adopting an annual budget and local laws and ordinances, appointing the City Manager, City Attorney and City Clerk, establishing policies, utility rates, assessments and other fees, managing growth and land use, plus setting the annual tax rate.Term: 4 yearsSalary: Commissioner $22,000Mayor $26,000
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Anne Huffman
(Non)
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Horace L. West
(Non)
What, in your professional and personal experience, distinguishes you from your opponents and makes you the best qualified candidate for this position? (Answer character limit 500 characters)
What are the top three priorities for your term in office, and what specific actions or policies do you plan to implement to address these priorities? (Answer character limit 750 characters)
How do you plan to address affordable housing challenges within your city? What specific strategies or initiatives will be implemented to facilitate access to adequate housing for all residents? (Answer character limit 750 characters)
How would you plan to collaborate with other local government entities, such as municipalities and regional organizations, to address shared challenges and pursue common goals? (Answer character limit 500 characters)
How do you plan to engage with constituents to gather feedback and input on important issues affecting the city? What mechanisms would be in place to ensure transparency and accessibility in the decision-making process? (Answer character limit 750 characters)
Professional Experience
33 years in hotel & resort industry managing over 300 staff and a budget of $30M dollars. Elected commissioner in 2017
Educational Qualifications
AS in Computer Science
Campaign Phone
8632423230
33 years of executive management experience, 8 years as city commissioner (first black female commissioner, vice mayor and mayor) with continued learning through key memberships. I am informative, accessible, responsive and transparent with the residents.
Infrastucture; vote for state and federal grants, ensure adequate funding is in the 2025-26 budget. Public Safety; support the City Manager with funding in the 2025-26 budget to hire additional police officers and firefighters. Support the Sunrail stop in Haines City by voting in favor of purchasing needed property and incentivizing downtown businesses.
Affordable housing is subjective, our city's median income is in the low $30K. The developers and builders are unwilling to build "at cost" housing when they are successful in selling houses for $300K. We are using our CRA(Community Redevelopment Agency) grants to help homeowners with roof replacement, exterior painting, HVAC, handicap ramps, windows and doors replacement.
Haines City is the third largest city in Polk County. We are positioned between two smaller towns. We collaborate during hurricane seasons and some social events i.e., holiday parades.
I currently use social media platforms and community meetings to keep the residents aware of important issues. I also support the City Manager including them in his monthly newsletter and on the utility bill. I advocate for this information to also be in Spanish and Creole.
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