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Biography
Jonathan is a lifelong Floridian who was born and raised in Broward County. He chose Margate as his home due to its convenient location, affordability, parks, and safe community. He is dedicated to preserving the qualities that inspired him to make Margate his home. Margate has been his home for over 15 years, where he and his wife started their family and are raising their two children. Principles & Core Values: Transparency & Accountability, Responsible Growth, Safe & Clean Neighborhoods
Education
Associate of Science (AS)
Occupation
Telecommunication Engineer
Civic Experience
Cypress Cove Community Development District, Cypress Cove Homeowners Association
Campaign Phone
954-247-4432
2 months: 1. Reinstate public comment opportunities at city meetings and on city social media accounts. 2. Work on balancing the city budget in anticipation of potential elimination of property taxes at the state level.
2 years: 1. Ensure downtown development progress stays on track. 2. Close the term limit loophole to change wording from "consecutive terms" to "lifetime terms".
The current commission has put the city on the right track by joining other cities in the solid waste authority of Broward County.
Additional methods to mitigate the solid waste crisis are:
Combined buying power = lower, stable pricing vs city negotiating its own rate.
Decrease dependency on landfilling and WTE (waste to energy)
Increase reliance on recycling through continuous recycling education programs.
Convenient recycling & household hazardous waste drop-off locations.
Provide expanded programs for food, yard, and bulk waste.
The City of Margate should encourage workforce housing instead of only market-rate luxury apartments by offering incentives to developers who include housing affordable for teachers, first responders, healthcare workers, city employees, and retail and service workers.
The city should also partner with Broward County to pursue state and federal housing grants and other funding opportunities that help expand workforce housing without placing the burden solely on local taxpayers.
Additionally, I support exploring incentives that encourage city employees to live in the community they serve, helping strengthen our neighborhoods while reducing commute time and improving employee retention.
Any budget decisions should be based on a transparent, program-by-program review that evaluates legal requirements, community benefit, cost-effectiveness, and opportunities for greater efficiency rather than applying across-the-board cuts.
I would look for ways to streamline operations, eliminate waste, pursue grants, strengthen economic development, expand the commercial tax base, and explore partnerships that reduce costs without sacrificing service quality.
By expanding public comment opportunities, allowing public comment at both the beginning and end of City Commission meetings.
Reinstate remote public comment over Zoom so residents who cannot attend meetings in person can still participate.
Enable comments on the City’s social media platforms to encourage greater community engagement.
I’m already putting this approach into practice by going door-to-door throughout Margate to hear residents’ concerns, ideas, and priorities firsthand. I plan to attend HOA meetings across the city to listen to residents from every neighborhood.
If elected, I will continue to attend HOA meetings and host town hall meetings to maintain an open communication with residents to ensure every resident can be heard.
Biography
Mindy W. Lee has proudly called South Florida home for more than 40 years and has been a dedicated resident of Margate for 27 years. She is a devoted wife, mother, local business owner, and cancer survivor whose personal experiences have strengthened her commitment to serving others. As a cancer advocate, Mindy understands the importance of compassion, perseverance, and standing up for those facing life's greatest challenges. For decades, Mindy has dedicated her life to helping at-risk seniors,
Education
Mindy holds a Master of Education and a Bachelor of Human Services with a concentration in Children with Disabilities. Her educational background, combined with years of hands-on experience, has provider her with the knowledge, compassion, and leadership skills needed to advocate for children and families with special needs.
Occupation
Mindy W. Lee has founded ABA Autism Therapy of Florida, providing vital autism services to children and their families.
Civic Experience
Mindy W. Lee has founded and led organizations dedicated to improving the lives of others. She founded Senior Connect, a nonprofit that supports seniors by connecting them with community resources and providing free weekly wellness check-ins to help them remain safe and independent. She founded Fur Seniors Fur Seniors(non profit) places senior pets with Senior citizens and Feral To Friendly Feline Rescue (Non profits) caring for over 100 homeless feral cats on the streets.
Campaign Phone
954-263-7573
During my first 60 days in office, I would recommend implementing a temporary hiring freeze and a freeze on non-essential spending while the City conducts a complete review of its finances. If the proposed property tax amendment is approved by voters and results in a significant reduction in the City's property tax revenue, Margate could face a substantial budget shortfall. Until a long-term financial plan is developed to address any major revenue loss, I believe it would be fiscally responsible to pause discretionary spending, review all capital projects, and evaluate staffing needs before making additional financial commitments. Taxpayers need to be protected, we need to ensure every spending decision are transparent and accountable.
The Margate City Commission passed a resolution to join the Interlocal Agreement for Solid Waste Disposal and Recycling Materials Processing Authority of Broward County. This regional approach aims to leverage larger buying power, control long-term financial risks, and protect residents from fluctuating market prices.
One of the first priorities should be identifying opportunities to encourage workforce housing without placing additional burdens on taxpayers. Equally important is maintaining transparency throughout the planning process. Residents deserve to have a voice in decisions that affect their neighborhoods. Public meetings should encourage meaningful community participation, and proposed developments should be evaluated openly with careful consideration of traffic, infrastructure, schools, environmental impacts, and long-term financial sustainability. Good planning requires balancing community needs with responsible growth. Affordable housing should never come at the expense of public safety, neighborhood stability, or the quality of life.
My first priority would be to protect essential public services. Police, fire rescue, emergency medical services, public works, water and sewer operations, and other services that directly affect public health and safety must remain our highest priority. These are core government functions that residents depend on every day and should be protected whenever possible. To help address any budget shortfall, the City should aggressively pursue state and federal grants whenever available. Grant funding can help support infrastructure improvements, public safety equipment, parks, environmental projects, transportation, and community development without relying entirely on local tax dollars.
Increase communication between City Hall and the community. Many residents are unaware of important meetings, proposed developments, or decisions before they are made. I believe the City should improve how it communicates by using multiple platforms, including social media, email newsletters, the City's website, text notifications, and printed materials for residents who may not have access to technology. Government information should be easy to find, easy to understand, and available before decisions are finalized.
Biography
Long-time Broward resident, Avid ice hockey player (go Panthers!), foodie, dog dad, enjoy traveling and cruising, high school golf coach, fun uncle and dedicated son.
Education
Master's - Nova Southeastern University, Bachelor's University of Central Florida
Occupation
Broward County Public School Teacher, Adjunct FIU, Adjunct BC
Civic Experience
Margate Planning and Zoning Board, Margate Board of Adjustment, Graduate of the Margate Citizens Academy (2018)
Endorsements
I am looking to solely represent the residents of the city by being completely self funded and not accepting campaign contributions or endorsements.
Campaign Phone
954-579-5352
Residents have voiced concerns about over-building and a displaced coyote population. Additionally, look into solutions for an aging seawall around the city.
I believe there should be a recycling incentive for businesses and residents alike. Also, decrease our dependency on those items that ultimately end up in a landfill.
More stringent rental rules to allow workers/families to be able to purchase homes.
I would reduce city commission salaries and benefits, along with top-level government salaries.
My entire campaign is focused on improving the resident voice. I would allow for Zoom meeting and allow commentary. I would like to create an accessible forum/surveying tool to allow residents to have a voice (e.g., Google Forms, etc.)
