City leadership for the next year will look much the same as it has for the last year.
Citing marked strides in development during the last year, the City Commission Monday unanimously selected Rick Lott to continue as Plant City’s mayor. Lott, in turn, selected Commissioner Bill Dodson to continue to serve as Vice-Mayor.
While commissioners are voted to three-year terms by constituents, the commission selects a commissioner to serve a one-year term during the first commission meeting in June every year.
“For the last year I have to give credit where credit is due,” Commissioner Mary Mathis said. “Our current mayor, he has served us well. I’ve even heard of the firm and courageous conversations you’ve had with the county commission to make something happen.”
Throughout the last year, many long-running city initiatives have begun to come to fruition. Plant City Main Street has reformed to revitalize the Historic Downtown area; more companies have moved into business parks along County Line Road, allowing for new construction to begin; a request for proposal went out for a sports complex along Park Road; and a developer has been selected for the long awaited Midtown redevelopment project, among other accomplishments.
Lott has served as mayor since 2014, succeeding Mathis, who served between 2013 and 2014. Prior to that, he served as mayor between 2007 and 2010.
“I am honored. It’s an honor to serve this city and and work for this city. But it’s also an honor to represent this board,” Lott said. “I believe our future is very very bright.”
Traditionally, the mayor and vice-mayor also serve as chair and vice-chair of the Community Redevelopment Agency, which is comprised of commission members. With the unanimous selection of Lott and Dodson to those respective positions, that tradition continues.