Felicia Brunson, President, Broward League of Cities /Mayor, City of West Park

In an interview with Invest:, Felicia Brunson, mayor of the City of West Park and president of the Broward League of Cities, discussed key milestones, the League’s evolving role, fostering collaboration, supporting municipal leaders through challenges, and efforts to shape the next generation of leaders.

What have been the key milestones for the Broward League of Cities over the past year?

One of the most significant milestones was navigating a challenging election season, with 23 new municipal elected officials out of 165. Onboarding so many new leaders has been exciting but requires time for adjustment as they learn their roles and responsibilities.

Being a municipal official is very different from serving as a county commissioner, state legislator, or member of Congress. It’s a highly visible role, with officials constantly in the public eye — at their child’s soccer game, church, or even outside their city. Residents often approach them about issues outside their control, like the school system, which falls under the school board’s domain.

Municipal leaders are often the first point of contact for nearly every problem. While they are capable and responsive, they’re not a cure-all. Navigating these responsibilities, alongside the misinformation amplified by social media, made this election season particularly challenging. After Election Day, there was a collective sigh of relief, and our focus shifted to supporting and integrating the new officials into their roles.

What are the League’s primary goals moving forward?

Our main focus this year is on experience — how people experience their cities. This includes activities, venues, and the overall perception of each community. Every city tells a story, and elected officials play a crucial role in shaping and sharing that narrative.

For those of us who have been in office for years, this is my 18th year as an elected official, having served as a founding commissioner of my city and the city’s second mayor, dynamics have changed significantly. The League’s goal is to ensure that both new and seasoned officials stay focused on why they were elected: to serve their communities, build relationships, and make thoughtful decisions that will impact future generations.

Being an elected official isn’t just about holding a position; it’s about creating a positive experience for residents and visitors. When people come to your city, they should feel welcomed and leave with a lasting impression. The decisions we make today shape the legacies of our cities, and we must ensure those decisions have meaningful, long-term impacts.

How do these challenges compare to those faced by private sector businesses, and how is the League addressing them?

In many ways, cities operate like businesses. Commissions function as boards of directors, residents are stockholders, and city staff serves as the leadership team. Cities face similar challenges as private businesses, including employee retention and resource constraints. However, cities often can’t compete financially to retain talent. For example, if a staff member leaves for a higher-paying position in another city, municipalities can’t typically offer bonuses or incentives to match.

This is particularly challenging in critical areas like law enforcement, where recruiting police officers is increasingly difficult. Public safety is one of residents’ highest expectations, but staffing shortages make it harder to meet those needs.

Another challenge unique to municipalities is Florida’s Sunshine Law, which requires official discussions to occur in public meetings. While transparency is essential, it prevents officials from discussing city business privately, even for urgent matters. It’s like running a business without being able to collaborate outside formal board meetings, adding complexity to decision-making.

Additionally, the state often imposes new responsibilities on municipalities without providing resources. The League addresses this by advocating at both state and federal levels, working in Tallahassee and Washington, D.C., to push back against unnecessary preemptions and ensure cities have the tools to address local issues.

What efforts are being made by the Broward League of Cities to address the needs of its member cities?

Each year, the League addresses issues impacting its member cities, such as homelessness, funding challenges, and unfunded mandates. The League’s strength lies in bringing cities together to understand how these challenges affect all municipalities, directly or indirectly. Even if a problem doesn’t impact a city today, it likely will in the future, so we take a collective approach to problem-solving.

We meet with city staff to evaluate how new laws or mandates might affect their communities and then share insights with the broader membership. From there, we advocate for cities, engaging with legislators in Tallahassee and Washington, D.C., to ensure they understand the local impact of their decisions.

The reality is that if the country catches a cold, cities get the flu. Local challenges are magnified because residents turn to their city officials first. By supporting one another and addressing shared challenges, we ensure all of Broward’s cities can thrive.

What is the League’s Youth Leadership Committee’s role in shaping the next generation of municipal leaders?

One of our most impactful programs is our scholarship initiative, which helps Broward County high school seniors pursue careers in public service. To address rising education costs, the League recently increased the scholarship amount from $1,000 to $2,500. This funding supports students aspiring to roles such as urban planners, parks and recreation directors, or other community development positions.

Mentorship is also at the heart of our efforts. We prepare young people to take on the roles we currently hold. I often say, “The eyes of the future are looking back at us, praying for us to see beyond our own time.” That’s what mentorship is about — equipping the next generation to lead.

I’ve personally run a mentorship program for over 20 years, focusing on empowering young girls. Many of my mentees have become doctors, attorneys, educators, and business owners. Mentorship is about paying it forward and building a stronger future.

The League also stays connected with former scholarship recipients, and it’s rewarding to see their successes. For instance, a past recipient we interviewed at 18 is now a senior official with the State of Florida. Meeting him years later and seeing our impact on his journey was incredibly fulfilling. Moments like these remind us why investing in the next generation is so important.

How do you see the League’s role evolving in the context of regional challenges and opportunities in South Florida over the next few years?

The League’s role is to remain actively engaged in local and regional governance. We live these challenges daily, so it’s vital we’re at the table, sharing information, making our voices heard, and ensuring a clear understanding of how decisions affect municipalities, whether positively or negatively.

Our focus is on advocacy at every level. Even if an issue doesn’t affect a city today, it could in the future. Recognizing that interconnectedness, we advocate for all cities to ensure their perspectives are considered. Too often, policies are implemented without consulting those directly affected, and it’s our job to change that.

Over the next few years, I see the League continuing to be a strong, consistent voice for Broward’s municipalities. When decisions are made — at the county, state, or federal level — we want leaders to seek our input. Our mission is to ensure cities are part of the conversation and prepared to navigate both challenges and opportunities.