VOTE Maria Sutherland

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I have lived in Avon Park since 1999 and Highlands County since 1981.  My husband is a business-owner on Main Street and is a 4th generation "born-and-raised" resident of the City.  My children are 5th generation Floridians.   Four family generations have lived inside the City of Avon Park.  

I was raised in El Salvador by an American WWII vet father and Salvadoran mother.   Most of my relatives still live in El Salvador while my siblings and their families are scattered throughout the USA, Puerto Rico and Santiago, Chile.  

I worked for the City of Avon Park for 12 years as Project Manager, CRA Manager, Grant Manager, City Clerk, Planning and Zoning coordinator, Assistant City Manager/Admin Services Director, Interim City Manager and City Manager.  As people left or retired, I picked-up extra duties;  and like other employees -absorbing entire positions without extra pay since budget constraints did not allow for more staff or funds.   

I attended SFSC where I obtained my A.A. and then Webber International University in Babson Park where I received my B.S. in Organizational Management.

My husband attended Avon Park High School as well as both my kids.   I am a Gator Mom and proud parent of a United States Marine.

I am a breast cancer survivor since 2004 and served on a  Congressionally Directed Medical Research Panel for eight years as a consumer reviewer for federally funded breast cancer grants and projects through the Department of Defense in Washington, D.C.  This was the most enlightning aspect of how grants can be a positive force in improving lives and where I became a proponent of alternate sources of funding for municipal government.

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                                 REASON FOR MY CAMPAIGN- - PUBLIC TRUST

• I want the City of Avon Park Management and City Council be known as highly ethical and transparent in all aspects of governance.  

• My goal is to bring initiatives to the City of Avon Park that are practical, sustainable and don't impact the taxpayers.  

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I must mention that I am no stranger to difficulties.  Often, individuals in leadership positions are tested where we develop strength in overcoming challenges.  A person with lesser tolerance would never survive the political atmosphere that some small towns sometimes bring.   

I have been known for my demand for fairness and my inability to perform favors.  Having worked in government for twenty-five years and  serving as an elected official has given me a unique perspective of public expectations, detailed city operations; clear understanding of personnel responsibilities, Statutory regulations; State Legislative processes and recurring funding, resident needs and business concerns.

In 2024, I filed a Whistleblower complaint in another city exposing abuse of power and ethics misconduct on some elected officials and administrators.  It came as no surprise that I was terminated after my complaint was filed.  

My lesson learned was in the value of protecting my rights and rights of employees and the public who stand up to government corruption.  

If elected to Avon Park City Council, I will advocate for Whistleblower rights under the law and not tolerate misconduct.  Invented causes for dismissal would be investigated as the law and city policy permit to protect the rights of employees and provide transparency in government decision making and use of public funds. 

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                                                                 MY CAMPAIGN

My goal is to bring initiatives to the City of Avon Park that are practical, sustainable and don't impact the taxpayers.  

If we want to have a thriving city, we must include the younger generation in our planning.   Lets make them feel welcome by keeping our taxes low and listen to their ideas.

• The recent growth on Main Street has been primarily spawned by a unique group of entrepreneurs who have brought their professional skills, sales of products and services to Avon Park.  Their input is extremely important, and the City Council should listen to their ideas for business recruitment and retention and marketing of the downtown and other commercial areas. 

• I want my own children to be able to come back to Avon Park and create a life for themselves here.  There is no better place to raise a family in Florida than Avon Park.  Knowing opportunities are here is a wonderful incentive that keeps families together. 

Economic Development is not a current priority and it needs to be:

• Current trend is to spend unspent taxes on park equipment and pickle ball courts that can otherwise be obtained with State grants.  Lets use some of these surplus funds to devise a strategic Economic Development Plan for the entire City.  
• It is OK to hire professionals with the skill and data banks to tailor a plan for the City.  This would force us to implement benchmarks and hold management accountable for the jobs they are hired to perform.
• Engage with real estate entities to help put Avon Park on the map for recruitment of business investment and to re-energize our economy.
• Current Brickell Building agreement with investor expires in 2025.  City Council needs to do a better job at monitoring the agreement and expected benchmarks for the business infill and investment required in the agreement that the City taxpayers are currently subsidizing.  
• Re-tool CRA funding to be broader in its reach for exterior repairs to buildings and residences.
• Gateways at North and South locations on HWY 27 are in disrepair and announce lack of care.  Fix them or remove them.
• Update Planning & Zoning codes to enhance new buildings with more appealing facades.  Current designs allow for warehouse and box buildings.  Leave industrial buildings in industrial areas, not commercial areas.  
• If we want to make our economy a focus, we should make HWY 27 buildings visually appealing for customers and enforce current codes equally

Once and for all, create an innovative public space for our little ones to enjoy  with their families:  

• Just because you have the money doesn't mean you have to spend it.  There currently seems to be a rush to spend city and CRA tax funds.  Planning a phased park improvement plan with outside funding takes two to three years of staying on track.  To mind there are FRDAP grants through the Department of Environmental Protection plus open legislative appropriations.   These grants are aligned with the City's fiscal calendar, and all can be obtained within the same timeframe.   There is nothing wrong with creating a master plan timetable for grants that can be factored into a well-planned phased development project.  This can be done for all parks, not just Donaldson Park.   Recurring grants require planning and timing.  Lets not wait until we need to repair parks, instead lets coordiante and prioritize grants so all od them are equipped with safe and family friendly amenities. 

Broaden the CRA facade grant funding program to include a friendlier business approach and enhance the quality of life for residents: 

• We still have vacant storefronts on Main Street and the current facade program excludes funding for those structures if the property does not have an active business license.  I would change this.  We need to allow improvements to empty storefronts to help make them more presentable  to increase the opportunity for a business to move in.  Besides, the owners of the vacant properties still pay property taxes and also pay into the CRA fund-  let's not discriminate because they don't have funds to fix up their buildings regardless of occupancy.

• I would change the CRA facade program that currently excludes funding for the back side of buildings.   We all know most parking is behind most buildings and visible and accessible by sidewalks, roads and passers-by, these older buildings desperately need to have the back "facades" fixed. 

• In addition to the above- residential facade grants currently exclude funding for rear and sides of homes.  Considering that Florida Statute 163- CRA's- was created for the removal of slum and blight- I believe we should allow funding from the grant program to be used for replacement of broken windows or damaged doors on backside of homes.  Adding weatherization and safety language to the grant facade application form is simple enough.  The city has many homeowners in older homes without the means to pay for these items while current status of the program only addresses the front of their property.  

Create a "round-up" program for a public needs account intended for    residents less able to keep up with their utility bills and for a student training program:      

• This program would be a 100% voluntary program whereby your water bill could be rounded-up to the next dollar.  If 3000 accounts rounded up just 50 cents on their utility bills, we could raise $1500 for needy families per month.  This may not seem like much money but it would make the quality of life better for those in need without increasing taxes on anyone.  Already there are non-profits who give towards this cause but there is never enough in this inflationary economy.  These funds could also be used for student interns for job and skill development with the City or other partnering businesses in the city.  For example:  students would be allocated a certain amount of funds or pay while they intern with local businesses.

Aggressively pursue legislative earmarks:   

• Avon Park is missing out on millions of dollars every year that could improve the city's infrastructure-  to include roads, sewer & water plant, construction of new and rehab of old buildings, enhance parks and especially upgrade public safety equipment and fire trucks.  These earmarks aren't typically given any first year-  but consistent and aggressive pursuit of these recurring funds yields a better outcome than not trying at all.  Historical results in other communities yield 2nd-year funding averaging $1.5M.  I am sure funds of this magnitude can improve some of Avon Park's decades-old infrastructure without raising taxes.

Ammend the CRA Plan to include funding to homeowners to assist in compliance from insurance carrier imposed rules:  

The CRA provides grant funds for homes and business under the facade program  to improve slum and blight of ugly homes and business store fronts.   

• Home insurance companies are demanding roof retrofits on many older homes.  These homes may not be ugly enough to obtain CRA facade grants but will be -if their insurance company drops them for not repairing or updating their roofs before a hurricane strikes.  Adding this new program would allow retrofit of roofs for residents.  It would also improve living conditions for residents with mold problems created by disrepair of aged structures who cannot obtain facade grants due to the issue not being a part of a facade program.  

• I would also advocate an increase in residential facade funding from current  $5000 to $6000 since the price of materials and labor have increased due to inflation.

For more information regarding roofing laws in the State of Florida go to:  https://floridapace.gov/blog/home-insurance-roof-requirements/

For information to finance your roofing needs, go to the Florida PACE Funding Agency at:  https://floridapace.gov/about-pace/

Create a 20-year Capital Improvement Plan via Ordinance and stick to it:  

• The city has rarely been able to maintain even a 5-year plan.

• Hold management accountable to get projects completed or hire capable firms for project management.  Stop hodge-podge planning.   

• In 2022, The city taxpayers paid a consulting firm, paid city staff time, ads, meeting time, etc...  to amend the CRA Plan that included 1-3 year, 3-5 year, and 5-10 year projects.  To date, barely any of the objectives have been completed and much less even started.  This lack of leadership exemplifies why things aren't getting done.   Who is accountable?  

Create a school-to work-experience and training program for our high-school students.  Not everyone is destined for college.  Make the program available to all students, not just those with A's:  

• Partner with Avon Park High School to coordinate internships.  For example: the Florida Rural Water Association has numerous  certification/training programs for willing participants which could be sponsored by the city.  Funding from the "round-up" program could be used to pay for this program and equipment.  Water and sewer licenses require training and supervision under licensed individuals.  The city has licensed personnel that could apply their knowledge and guidance with an upgrade in pay to supervise students.  Whether that student ends up with a job at the city or elsewhere, we will have been able to promote a local person's ability to become  employed with a special skill-set.  The City should be budgeting for these courses already for existing employees.  Courses are $140 and up.  
• What better way to promote education and skills than through hands on training.

I have a wish for Avon Park to create a "street-legal" golf-cart community:   

• This subject has been brought up before but never gained traction.  Logistics with a State Road cutting through the center of town cannot be insurmountable.  Why not revisit this and let residents enjoy more of what makes Avon Park special while saving on gas and wear and tear of their vehicles? 

Create "Arts in Public Places" program:

• A simple plan that has a big impact.  Partner with the Avon Park High School art students to create 4-sided artwork on the utility boxes depicting the work of our talented youth.  This simple project creates beutification while simultaneouly allowing artistic impression projects that the students can apply to their resumes as they move forward with their careers after graduation.   

Broaden the CRA facade grant funding program to include a friendlier business approach and enhance the quality of life for residents: 

• We still have vacant storefronts on Main Street and the current facade program excludes funding for those structures if the property does not have an active business license.  I would change this.  We need to allow improvements to empty storefronts to help make them more presentable  to increase the opportunity for a business to move in.  Besides, the owners of the vacant properties still pay property taxes and also pay into the CRA fund-  let's not discriminate because they don't have funds to fix up their buildings regardless of occupancy.

• I would change the CRA facade program that currently excludes funding for the back side of buildings.   We all know most parking is behind most buildings and visible and accessible by sidewalks, roads and passers-by, these older buildings desperately need to have the back "facades" fixed.  

• In addition to the above- residential facade grants currently exclude funding for rear and sides of homes.  Considering that Florida Statute 163- CRA's- was created for the removal of slum and blight- I believe we should allow funding from the grant program to be used for replacement of broken windows or damaged doors on backside of homes.  Adding weatherization and safety language to the grant facade application form is simple enough.  The city has many homeowners in older homes without the means to pay for these items while current status of the program only addresses the front of their property.