Along with her duties as Monroe County commissioner, Michelle Lincoln will spend the subsequent 12 months main the cost as president of the Florida Affiliation of Counties.Â
Composed of the Sunshine State’s 67 counties, FAC protects dwelling rule as legislative periods have seen preemption makes an attempt by state lawmakers. House rule offers native leaders and communities the power to make choices affecting their neighborhood. The affiliation additionally collaborates with state legislators whereas advocating on quite a lot of coverage points starting from the atmosphere to tax coverage.
Lincoln’s presidency comes at a time when the 2025-26 legislative session may tackle a number of key points, together with property tax and property insurance coverage, all of which have large implications on the Florida Keys and the 66 different counties.Â
Lincoln was sworn in by her daughter, Mallory Pinto, through the affiliation’s annual convention, held June 24-27 in Orlando. Lincoln is the primary from Monroe County to carry the place with the group, which has been round since 1932. She was elected by commissioners from all Florida counties.Â
“It’s a humongous honor,” Lincoln instructed Keys Weekly. “I couldn’t have accomplished it with out the assist of all county commissioners and employees. A prerequisite when filling out the appliance to run is it’s a must to have a letter hooked up from the county supplying you with permission and saying that is supported.”Â
As president, Lincoln unveiled her coverage committees in addition to the chairs and vice chairs. County Commissioner Holly Raschein will head up FAC’s water and atmosphere sustainability committee. FAC additionally has agriculture and rural, tax coverage and federal coverage committees, amongst others.Â
“Committees will entertain all payments coming to them from counties that would really like FAC to assist because the Florida Home and Senate get collectively for legislative session,” Lincoln stated. “Similar to legislators get collectively prematurely of their session, all county commissioners with FAC do the identical factor. We’ll debate, we’ll have two conferences collectively, we’ll go dwelling, talk about with our county commissioners and are available again and do it once more.
“We have now wonderful debates on the ground and vote and give you insurance policies and points that we as FAC will assist,” Lincoln continued. “When the legislative session begins, we all know what our affiliation will agree upon. Nevertheless, issues at all times come up that we’re not anticipating.”
One of many perks of the presidency is a “stuff the bus”-like marketing campaign. Lincoln reached out to United Method of Collier and the Florida Keys earlier this 12 months to evaluate the wants of scholars. Whereas pencils and paper could be in excessive demand, she was instructed concerning the meals insecurities many college students face after college and on the weekends.Â
As an alternative of “stuffing the bus” with college provides this 12 months, Lincoln requested the assistance of Comcast, the occasion sponsor, and the convention distributors to assist her stuff baggage with non-perishable, kid-friendly meals that native Monroe County meals pantries may assist distribute to youngsters over the summer season.
Greater than 350 baggage have been stuffed by occasion attendees in Orlando and introduced again to the Keys. Crammed to the highest with juices, crackers, peanut butter, rice snacks and different wholesome snacks, the baggage have been handed out to native meals pantries throughout the Keys on June 30 throughout a gathering at KAIR in Marathon.