The Florida League of Cities recognizes local government officials, those elected and non-elected, with Home Rule Hero Awards for work accomplished during the 2025 legislative session.
These officials respond to the League’s request to engage with members of the Legislature to provide a local perspective on current issues. The concept, described as protecting Home Rule powers of Florida’s municipalities, is designed to sidestep state interference when advancing the League’s legislative agenda.
Founded in 1922, the League serves as the united voice for Florida’s municipal government for promoting local governing of cities formed and governed by their citizens. According to its website, “the League believes in local voices making local choices,” to focus on the impact of citizens and city leaders to improve Florida’s communities.
St. Augustine Mayor Nancy Sikes-Kline and St. Augustine Beach Mayor Dylan Rumrell are among the recipients of this year’s Home Rule Hero Awards. Both have won before.
“The dedication and effort of these local officials who tirelessly advocated for local decision-making was a difference-maker this legislative session,” FLC Chief of Legislative Affairs Casey Cook said on the Home Rule website. “On behalf of the League and its legislative team, we’re proud to recognize each of them and thank them for their service.”
In a news release issued by the Beach, Rumrell underscored his efforts to “promote local voices making local choices by sharing insights, local data, and real-world examples that helped inform state lawmakers and elevate the voice of Florida’s cities.”
“I am humbled and honored to win back-to-back home Home Rule Hero awards,” he said. “I owe it to the people of the City of St. Augustine Beach, city staff, and our police department. I’ll always work hard for you. Let’s make it a three-peat!”
Rumrell’s standout accomplishments include the Beaches Stormwater System Resiliency Project with state Sen. Tom Leek, which garnered $1.9 million from the Appropriations Subcommittee on Agriculture, Environment and General Government.
In addition to his job as mayor, the owner of SouthernCross Consulting Group LLC., touts a diversified clientele from the public and private sectors covering real-estate development, politics, broadcasting and public relations.
Rumrell worked with the St. Johns County Industrial Development Authority to resurrect the Vilano Beach Town Center by helping a private developer obtain $5 million in Recovery Zone bonds.
“The county’s return on its investment included the creation of more than 100 jobs for the Vilano Beach Town Center, which now includes a Publix Supermarket, restaurants and several other businesses,” he said.
Rumrell also assisted with launching the first Public Private Partnership in St. Johns County by creating St. Johns County Cultural Events Inc., a nonprofit organization that manages the St. Augustine Amphitheatre and Ponte Vedra Concert Hall, where he currently serves as chairmen of the board without pay.
Rumrell was appointed in 2019 to the St. Augustine Beach City Commission by his peers to fill a vacancy on the board and ran unopposed in 2020 and 2024. He is currently serving his second term as mayor.
Sikes-Kline has been recognized by the Florida League of Cities’ Home Rule Hero Award for eight consecutive years.
Serving on the City Commission since 2008, Kline was elected twice by her peers as vice mayor and elected mayor in 2022 and 2024.
“It continues to be my privilege and honor to serve our residents and businesses as mayor,” she in a news release. “This legislative session was met with its own challenges, but we persevered on many issues, especially the Unlawful Demolition of Historical Buildings and Structures bill. I am so proud of our collective success, and I will continue to ensure that our community’s voice is heard.”
“This session, local leaders stepped up once again, bringing persistence, perspective, and a strong voice for local decision-making to every conversation,” Cook said. “The League and our legislative team deeply appreciate their leadership and are proud to recognize the meaningful difference they made for Florida’s cities.”
For more information, go to https://www.floridaleagueofcities.com.
This article originally appeared on St. Augustine Record: Mayors Dylan Rumrell and Nancy Sikes-Kline receive Home Rule Hero Awards from League of Cities
Reporting by Lucia Viti, St. Augustine Record / St. Augustine Record
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