Residents of Plant City expressed their confidence with the current city leadership Monday night when zero applicants ran to challenge Mayor Rick Lott and Vice Mayor Nate Kilton for their spots at the dais. With no competition both were reelected to another term starting in June.
Following in the footsteps of so many commission races in Plant City history, no one was interested in submitting to qualify for the position other than those already in the role. The commissioners attributed the lack of opposition to the appreciation from residents for the direction current city leadership is steering Plant City.
“It just goes to show that time flies when you’re having fun,” Commissioner Mike Sparkman said. “That you’re already here that many terms is unbelievable. Congratulations to both of you. I’m proud of this commission and I think that we’re doing an outstanding job for our community and for that we all need to be proud.”
This is Vice Mayor Nate Kilton’s first term as a commissioner as he was elected in 2016. With this vote he will enter his second term in June. Commissioner Bill Dodson said they have enjoyed working with Kilton over his inaugural term and were looking forward to seeing how he and Lott — who is entering his sixth term — continue to work together with the rest of the commission over the next few years.
The deadline passed for qualifying for City Commission Group 1 and Group 2 on Feb. 15 at 12 p.m. The only submissions were from Kilton and Lott. With no opposition they were reelected to serve another three years.
“To our mayor and our vice mayor, congratulations,” Commissioner Mary Mathis said. “That lets you know the citizens of Plant City really appreciate what you are doing for Plant City. So congratulations.”
Each commissioner’s term limit and term total can be found on the city’s website. Sparkman is Plant City’s longest serving commissioner. He has served nine terms and held the seat from 1989 to 1991,1992 to 2005 and 2008 to present. He resigned in 1991 to run for State Representative and was appointed as interim city manager in 1992 after Sadye Gibbs Martin resigned.
While both Lott and Kilton are far from the longest-serving on the board, they both expressed a deep appreciation for having the opportunity to continue to help support Plant City.
Mathis has served seven consecutive terms from 2000 until present, making her one of the longest consecutive sitting commissioners in Plant City history.
“I’m so glad we’re able to serve together for three more years,” Lott said. “I have to say I agree with our fellow commissioners here. I think that was a vote of confidence for the entire commission, not just for the two of us, that they must be happy with the direction the city is going in. I don’t think that was just a vote of confidence on us, but for this entire board, leadership, staff and so forth. So anyhow, I’m looking forward to another three more years, but our term doesn’t start until June so we’ve sill got to complete the one we’re in. I’m very very very excited.”