Scott Black 

Scott was first elected to the Dade City City Commission in 1990 and has also served four terms as mayor. During that time, he was president of the statewide Florida League of Cities, as well as the Ridge League of Cities and the Suncoast League of Municipalities, and chaired the Tampa Bay Regional Planning Council, the Pasco County Metropolitan Planning Organization, and the Municipal Association of Pasco, and is the current vice chair of the Southern Municipal Conference, a coalition of the state municipal leagues in the southeastern United States, The Florida League of Cities presented its highest award, the E. Harris Drew Municipal Official of the Year Award, to Scott in 2011, as did the Ridge League of Cities in 2006 with its Nettie Draughon Award.

As one of the city commissioners, some of the achievements of which Scott is most pleased include the superb revitalization of downtown Dade City and its transformation and continuing status as a regional shopping and tourist destination and special events location, the successful lobbying in 1991 to keep our Wal-Mart store open, encouraging the restoration and re-use of the historic Pasco County Court House and preserving its oak trees and the downtown construction of the East Pasco County Government Center, an unprecented wave of voluntary annexations that will shore up our tax base and provide future opportunities for smart commercial and residential development, the redevelopment of former railroad right-of-way into the immensely popular Hardy Trail and its ongoing future extensions, helping to attract our award winning Hampton Inn hotel in 2007, and the recent construction of the first phase of the Morningside Drive extension and other transportation improvements, among other accomplishments.

Scott is an unabashed cheerleader and promoter of Dade City's unique qualities and enjoys hosting visiting groups to our downtown shops and restaurants and the Pioneer Florida Museum; promoting our Kumquat Festival, Downtown Christmas Stroll, Church Street Christmas, and Classic Car Cruise-Ins, and other special events; giving tours of Dade City to potential developers and government agency representatives; representing Dade City on regional and state boards; and speaking at statewide conferences, commercial real estate association meetings, and service organization programs about the Dade City success story.

As a city commissioner, Scott brings enthusiasm and institutional knowledge to the board and consistently provides much needed stability and leadership during both good and critical times and does not waver in making important difficult decisions. Scott was recently described by a daily news editorial writer as "the board's ethical north star" and has greatly enjoyed the challenges and rewards of public service to his hometown and looks forward to many more years of devoted and dedicated work in its behalf.