Keep City of Plant City moving forward with smart, ecologically sound growth and a focus on driving business to downtown through increased campaigns. Alicia has a proven track record with two prior political campaigns. Twenty-five years ago, Alicia ran for Alderman at Large City Wide in Aurora, Illinois’s second largest city, at 20 years old, garnering 35% of the vote. In 2016, with three children, one severely autistic, Alicia ran for School Board in the USA’s 5th largest school district in Hillsborough County and was very competitive against the former Hillsborough County Clerk running for School Board at the time. Alicia Kirk Toler has 25 years of business experience in hospitality and retail, web design, and condo management. She has lived in the Plant City area for 15 years.
What are the top three issues facing the city right now?
City government overspending
Shelter for the homeless, and veterans
Better storm preparation
If elected, what would be your first priority in office?
To learn from the City Manager, the department heads, how we can most effectively manage the city and come to an agreement on issues. I’m here to ensure that as this city grows, we don’t outgrow our values. I’m here for residents who live here right now.
What is your position on property taxes and city spending?
I believe that the homestead property tax should stay, but there should not be property tax on anything you own, including a home.
City Spending Issues:
Aging Utility Infrastructure
Borrowing Money for Large Scale Capital Projects
Street Maintenance and Sewage Drainage for Housing Growth
What steps would you take to improve public safety?
Modernizing Fire and EMS Infrastructure
Traffic and Pedestrian Safety
Recruitment and Retention of law enforcement
Utilize Drones for Search and Rescue Operations and Traffic Safety
How do you balance growth with preserving neighborhood character?
Growth is high-density housing, annexation of farmland, increased traffic, and new commercial space. The neighborhood change is redirection to midtown and mixed-use clusters, use of zoning buffers, focus on complete streets, adding sidewalks, and trees rather than just widening roads, and use of village green concepts to create community centers rather than just strip malls.
Why should voters choose you over opponents?
I believe I am the best candidate because I love Plant City, and I would be a council member that is purely focused on the residents. I’m not here to represent a corporation or use this title as my own gain to leverage myself up in politics in order to feel special. I’m here to represent you. My commitment to you is transparency and solve issues. I won’t spend your tax money carelessly and make decisions behind closed doors. I’m here to listen to what District 3 needs and make sure city government actually delivers it.
*Information provided by Alicia Kirk Toler
